REVIEW: Bryan Adams, So Far, So Good
- Bob Gajarsky
With the holidays fast approaching, labels often release greatest hits albums for established artists. This year's crop includes Bryan Adams and his 14 song compilation, So Far So Good.
Adams, who first signed with A&M Records back in 1979, first broke on to the charts in 1982 with "Lonely Nights". 1983's Cuts Like A Knife firmly broke him in the United States, and 1985's Reckless established him as a household name. Into The Fire, released in 1987, was a bit of a commercial letdown, but Bryan returned back to the limelight in 1991 with the theme for the remake of Robin Hood, "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You". This #1 single broke records all around the world, including Britain, where it logged a record-setting 16 weeks in the top position.
With a wealth of material to choose from for this single disc compilation, it was inevitable that some worthy songs would be left off. With the exception of "Heat of the Night", Into The Fire is completely ignored, as is his work before Cuts Like A Knife (including "Lonely Nights"). "One Night Love Affair" and "Thought I'd Died and Gone To Heaven" are also excluded, as is the one-off rarity "Diana".
But, enough on what's left off. Thirteen previously released songs are included here, rockers from "Cuts Like A Knife" through "Heat of the Night" and ballads from "Straight From The Heart" to "Heaven" and a new ballad, "Please Forgive Me", produced by Mutt Lange. Every song is immediately recognizable from the large amount of airplay Adams has received over the years. The anthematic "Kids Wanna Rock", a track from Reckless, is the only non-single included on the compilation.
Those who only like the harder side of Adams on this greatest hits compilation will be slightly disappointed. But, if you're looking for a holiday gift for that special someone who loves a mix of rock and power ballads, So Far So Good could be the perfect solution.
Track listing: Summer of '69, Straight From The Heart, It's Only Love, Can't Stop This Thing We Started, Do I Have To Say The Words?, This Time, Run To You, Heaven, Cuts Like A Knife, (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, Somebody, Kids Wanna Rock, Heat Of The Night, Please Forgive Me.
