Usually greatest hits compilations hinder a reviewer's creativity in that either the mega-fans of the artist already have it and they don't need preaching to the converted or possible purchasers of the disc don't know or care enough about the artist to be impressed.

I am praying with this critique I can overcome this last angle, because for some unknown reason (bad management? Radio anti-Canadian feelings? Who knows?) Michelle Wright is a superstar in waiting. She has had a medium number of medium-sized hits here south of her native Canada but, despite her truckload of Canadian country accolades, she has for unfathomable reasons never completely broken through and I am hoping the ten songs/reasons on this amazing album open up enough ears to make her NEXT greatest hits CD not languish on the fringes.

The weakest song on this CD is a charming duet with Jim Brickman entitled "Your Love" that teeters closely to the brink of cheeseball, but her earnest delivery of this nice tune insures it does not go over the top.

The sultry, sassy "Take It Like A Man," one of her songs that indeed hit here in the US combines her irresistible, growly alto with lyrics equally as irresistible. Her take of a hit that was a hit for Martina McBride in the US, " Safe In The Arms Of Love" isn't some wannabe cover, it's a staggering interpretation of why this lady had a mega-hit of her own up north with this wonderful tune. " He Would Be Sixteen," about giving up a child born to a teenager may be the ONLY song I have heard on the radio in 10 years (It was a minor hit here.) that I simply cannot listen to and drive at the same time, the emotion of the song overwhelms me to the point of sobbing despair.

"Nobody's Girl" is another sassy killer... " When I Found You" and "What Love Looks Like" are just as pop-friendly as anything by native compadre Shania but without any patina of Top-40 preciousness sacrificing the songs' country roots.

"The Answer Is Yes" and "Guitar Talk" are rockin' country to the core and full of more catchy hooks than a full bass pond on an August afternoon and perhaps her biggest hit in the US, " New Kind Of Love," still has enough torchy soar in it to light up all of Manitoba.

Please everyone reading this.. GET THIS ALBUM... by the time her next US greatest hits CD comes out, I do not want to have to feel like I have to CONVINCE anyone. I just want to be able to REMIND them of what a legendary artist this lady is sure to become, and to the enlightened of us, already is.