Whitney Houston - The Greatest Hits (2000)

Although Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits is a double-disc package (and is priced as such), only the first disc actually contains original versions of Houston's hit singles; the second disc, "The Greatest Remixes", collects remixes new and old to appeal to hardcore fans. Of course, it would be impossible to fit all of Houston's 20-plus chart singles onto one disc, but that single-disc format still could have produced a fantastic and near-definitive collection. That is, if Arista hadn't made the absolutely ridiculous choice not to include "How Will I Know," "So Emotional," "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," and "I'm Your Baby Tonight," all of them number one hits. Granted, those songs are all present on the accompanying second disc, The Greatest Remixes, but fans who want the original versions are out of luck and will have to purchase the three different albums on which those songs first appeared. That said, the compilation does do fans a few favors; there are three new tracks, including one duet apiece with Deborah Cox and Enrique Iglesias, and there are also two hits that have never actually appeared on a Houston album: "One Moment in Time" (the 1988 Olympic theme) and "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful," a duet with Jermaine Jackson from his 1986 Precious Moments album. For the completist, Houston's Top 20 hit recording of "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed at Super Bowl XXV, is tacked on at the end of the remix disc as well. Overall, the Greatest Hits disc amply reinforces once again what a fine singles artist Houston has been for the entirety of her career. Still and all, though, it's a frustrating package marred by record company greed -- not only because of the glaring omissions designed to force consumers to buy the original albums as well, but also because casual fans won't appreciate having to pay double the money for a second disc of remixes that they probably aren't interested in owning. Overall, it's a wasted opportunity. ~ Steve Huey