Chris De Burgh - The Ultimate Collection (2009)

The Ultimate Collection is a bountiful assortment of Chris de Burgh's best material, up to and including songs from 2000's Quiet Revolution album. The 38 tracks spotlight the best of de Burgh's love songs, fairy tales, and quicker pieces, resulting in a delightful melange of this Argentinian-born's music that spans nearly three decades. There's an equal number of classics and newer songs, placing favorites such as "Don't Pay the Ferryman," "Lady in Red," and "High on Emotion" between subtleties like "When I Think of You," "Tender Hands," and "Snows of New York." The entrancing beauty of "A Spaceman Came Travelling," which doubles as a popular Christmas tune, is a welcomed inclusion, as is the mysterious "Traveller" from 1980's Eastern Wind and the carefree airiness of "Say Goodbye to It All" off of Into the Light. "Patricia the Stripper 2000" is novel, but the original would have fared much better. But surprises such as "Man on the Line," "Ecstasy of Flight" and "Waiting for the Hurricane," all of which weren't huge successes, balance out the rest of the tracks quite nicely, showcasing de Burgh's more animated efforts. His gift for singing ballads is established on "A Woman's Heart," "Simple Truth," and "By My Side," three of his most endearing love songs. Only a couple of questionable songs are excluded from this set, like the powerful "Crusader" or the courtly grandeur of "Satin Green Shutters" from his debut album, as well as "Lonely Sky" from Spanish Train. Still, even with the absence of these pieces, The Ultimate Collection is truly a fitting title. ~ Mike DeGagne