[.ca] Ultimate Collection

unlikely to win converts with this one:
Robert Christgau once wrote that Steve Winwood is what happens when one has more talent than brains. Listening to this CD evokes a similar response. Maria McKee possesses undeniable talent and beauty. If she had been born 50 years earlier, some studio or Svengali producer would have surely harnessed that talent and beauty and made her a star. However, it appears that her career has been left to her own devices yielding this highly uneven collection and less than household name recognition. The amber warning light goes off when one realizes that some of the strongest material a) was written by others, and b) is off the first Lone Justice album, before that band first splintered then collapsed. Although McKee has put out some good solo material, it is much more hit and miss. The collection reaches its nadir with a pointless live cover of "Sweet Jane."

Stunning:
A superb collection. I agree with an earlier review that the cd "You Gotta Sin to Get Saved" should have been better represented. My copy of the cd differs on one of the tracks - the song "Only Once" replaced by "Grateful". I would have preferred the former song - oh well.

Ragtag collection:
I admit to being primarily a fan of the Lone Justice phase of Maria McKee's career, and the tracks from that band are poorly chosen here. Great songs like "East of Eden" and "I Found Love" aren't present, and songs that were uninteresting ("Sweet Sweet Baby") or boring curiosities ("Sweet Jane") are included. Songs not found on her solo albums like "Red Dress" are must-haves for a serious fan, but with so much focus on Lone Justice, I think it would be better to have the "This World Is Not My Home" Lone Justice compilation. And to either wait for a compilation containing more of her solo material or to buy the CD's themselves...

An Underappreciated Goddess of Rock:
I think it's safe to say that Maria McKee has to rank as one of the most underappreciated (or least appreciated) female singers of the last three decades. Whether it has been as the lead singer of the 1980s alternative country-rock outfit Lone Justice or on her own, Maria has had one of the most flexible voices this side of Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. And yet despite her immense talents, radio and the music-buying public have ignored her. This compilation CD of Maria's best performances will leave you shaking your head as to why this is. Maria shines really well while out front of Lone Justice on songs like Tom Petty's "Ways To Be Wicked" (with the notorious "stick it in" line), the country weeper "Don't Toss Us Away" (which Patty Loveless would later abscond with), and "Dixie Storms." On her own, the best tracks include "Only Once", a country tune that sounds like she's channeling early Linda Ronstadt and Patsy Cline, "If Love Is A Red Dress" (which would find its way into the soundtrack for PULP FICTION), and the up-tempo country-rocker "Am I The Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way)" (which the Dixie Chicks would cover on their 1998 breakthrough album WIDE OPEN SPACES). Some of the blame for Maria's lack of success may have had to do with some of her own personal eccentricities. Beyond that, however, vocally she is certainly very close to the equal of Linda and Emmylou, and as such would blow many a female pop or country singer off the map. This CD comes strongly recommended.

A Winning Collection of the Little Diva:
Did you just learn of Maria McKee and Lone Justice? Unsure what CD to buy first? Well, of course, get them all - but this one is sure a great start! The fantastic "If Love is a Red Dress," was a stand-out on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, and Maria McKee fans will love this song. The acoustic demo of Show Me Heaven is also a must-have for those looking to complete their CD collection. The pacing of the CD is great - mournful to toe-tapping, all in the right order. Add this one to your collection!

• Ways to Be Wicked - Lone Justice
• Sweet, Sweet Baby (I'm Falling) - Lone Justice
• Don't Toss Us Away - Lone Justice
• Shelter - Lone Justice
• Wheels - Lone Justice
• Panic Beach - Maria McKee
• Only Once
• Absolutely Barking Stars
• I'm Awake
• Scarlover
• If Love Is a Red Dress (Hang Me in Rags)
• Show Me Heaven \oacoustic demo version\c
• Sweetest Child \osingle mix\c
• Sweet Jane \olive\c - Lone Justice
• Dixie Storms - Lone Justice
• Breathe
• Am I the Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way)