?The Essential Limited Edition 3.0,? a series of compilation albums that Sony Music released recently, are mostly expanded versions of previous reissues of career-spanning works by some very big names, among them Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, John Denver, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Hall & Oates, Heart and Journey.
Collectively, they represent some of the most passionate, romantic, energizing, soothing, painful, soulful, rebellious and life-affirming emotions expressed by such a talented bunch of artists.
?The Essential Tony Bennett? has 46 tracks, divided between the pop and jazz phases that the New Yorker of Italian lineage (real name: Anthony Benedetto) explored while recording with the Columbia label.
Life feels carefree as one again hears ?Stranger in Paradise,? ?Tender is the Night,? ?Once Upon a Time,? ?The Boulevard of Broken Dreams,? among other Bennett hits circa 1950s. One marvels at his rich and versatile voice, which attains full bloom on disc 2 with his pivotal collaborations with the pianist Ralph Sharon. Also here: Bennett?s 2001 duet with k.d. lang, ?Keep the Faith, Baby,? and of course, his signature song, ?I Left My Heart in San Francisco.?
Document
Though ?The Essential Elvis Presley? misses out on some very exciting tunes that were part of 2002?s ?30 #1 Hits,? it still succeeds as a document of the history of rock ?n? roll, of which The Pelvis was king. From the very first track, a cover of Arthur Crudup?s ?That?s All Right,? recorded in 1954, Presley emerges as an artist who was at the right place and time when pop music needed his mark of dangerous excitement.
There?s also his brooding, gospel-influenced side here, as well as tunes he did in the movies and Las Vegas, which purists dismiss as crap. But everything Presley sang turned to gold and every fan, or would-be fan, should have a great time listening to this set.
Coincidence
It?s a coincidence that Michael Jackson and John Denver made their recording debuts in 1969 ? the former as part of Jackson 5 in ?I Want You Back,? the latter as a singer-songwriter in ?Leaving on a Jet Plane,? incidentally recorded two years earlier by Peter, Paul and Mary.
The ?Essential? sets of Jackson and Denver are contrasting examples of the vitality of American music. Jackson?s throbs with rhythm and blues, his vocals providing a glimpse of a gifted child?s growth (?ABC,? ?Ben,? ?Blame It On the Boogie,? ?Rock With You,?) that reaches its apex in ?Billie Jean? and ?Beat It.?
With Denver, one appreciates the contemplative, compassionate nature of country and folk, best illustrated in ?Sunshine On My Shoulder? and ?Annie?s Song.? There?s more of course, in the 36-track, 2-CD collection.
Unflinching
Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel take an unflinching look at the Vietnam War in ?Born in the USA? and ?Goodnight Saigon? respectively. Both their 3-CD sets show the depth and honesty that their songwriting and musicianship have attained.
?The Essential? albums of Hall & Oats and Heart have their own distinctive appeal in the former?s blue-eyed soul and the latter?s spunky girl power.
There?s a lesson here for Pinoy artists. All these American acts started out copying their idols, but they kept writing and striving until they found their own identity.
