Dionne Warwick Definitive Collection CD

Digitally remastered by James P. Nichols (RCA Studios, New York, New York).

THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION is just that, a 20-track retrospective of the New Jersey songstress' entire career. Extensive liner notes trace her career from roots in gospel to session work as a background singer, on through her association with Burt Bacharach and many later collaborations with some of the biggest names in music.

The first nine tracks are all classic '60s tunes written by Bacharach and Hal David. The songwriting team presented Warwick with such chestnuts as "Walk On By," "Alfie," and "I Say A Little Prayer," and she croons them perfectly. "Then Came You," Warwick's duet with The Spinners, shows how she changed soulfully with the times. A collaboration with The Bee Gees, "Heartbreaker," was a Top-10 smash that welcomed in the '80s. Rounding out the record is "That's What Friends Are For," Warwick's biggest hit and her first collaboration with Bacharach in 15 years. Joining Warwick on this fabulous composition are Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. In an age when every female R&B artist is being marketed as a "diva," the 25 years of music on this album prove that Warwick has indisputably earned her title.

Includes liner notes by David Nathan.

Live Recording

Recording information: RCA Recording Studios, New York, NY.

Personnel includes: Dionne Warwick, Luther Vandross, Kashif, The Spinners, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Jeffrey Osborne; Kenny G (saxophone).

Producers include: Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Thom Bell, Barry Manilow, Steve Buckingham.

Vibe (8/99, p.183) - "...The union of [Burt] Bacharach, [Hal] David, and Warwick ranks as one of the most productive....artistically satisfying collaborations in pop history....Nine of their hits...make up the better bulk of this very complete, very welcome collection."