The best of LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes was a little girl with a big, big voice when she became a chart sensation about 10 years ago. Then considered the heir apparent to the legacy of country music darlings like Patsy Cline and Brenda Lee, she stunned listeners with her sure-footed rendition of old favorites like that first hit Blue and new works like How Do I Live. LeAnn was so successful that although she looked like a frumpy housewife in her 30s, she was still making one hit after another. In fact, there was even a time when she made pop music history by being no. 1 in all of the charts except hip hop, Latin and classical.

Before her 16th birthday, LeAnn had already sold 20 million albums, won two Grammy Awards plus several other trophies and created a demand for other little girls with big, big voices who can sing those lovelorn country ballads with the required expression. If I remember right, she also wrote a book and even starred in the television adaptation. Then like most little girls, LeAnn grew up. She lost weight, got a new hairstyle and started looking like the star that she is. Of course, she also started getting the problems, not only with boyfriends but also with her parents who were said to have mismanaged her finances.

The hits have stopped coming but that is really nothing to be concerned about. I also have not read anything about the release of a new album in the near future. I am sure though that this situation is only temporary. LeAnn has talent and a unique voice that can only get better as she gets older. After all, this girl is only in her 20s! It is true that she has been making hits for quite a while but LeAnn is only as old as Britney, Christina, Jessica and most of those young divas. I am sure though that it will not be long before we get some news about her activities soon. Then if the hits start coming again, it will be watched out Faith Hill season. LeAnn is back.

However, LeAnn has enough hits in her catalogue to fill up a greatest hits package and that is what we got recently. Titled The Best of LeAnn Rimes, it almost covers her whole career. That means from Blue to I Need You. And it is one album that I am sure Pinoys will enjoy very much. Why, several of the cuts have been big favorites around here since ages past and LeAnn does them very well.

Tops with me are How Do I Live, I Need You, Unchained Melody and Written in the Stars, a duet with Elton John of that beautiful love song from the musical Aida. There are also Can’t Fight the Moonlight, Life Goes On, Last Thing on My Mind with ex-Boyzone Ronan Keating, But I Do Love You, This Love, We Can, Suddenly, You Light Up My Life, Crazy, Looking Through Your Eyes, Blue, You Are, The Right Kind of Wrong, Soon, Yesterday and I Will Always Love You.

Aaron Carter’s Latest Album

Still from somebody who started out as a kid, is now definitely older and trying to establish a new identity as a young man. The album is Most Requested Hits and it is from Aaron Carter, younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, who made a few hits as a solo artist a few years ago. I do not know if there is anything to expect from the grown-up Aaron soon but though he remains undecided on what to do next, he is also keeping a steady presence among his fans with a repackaged compilation.

The guy on the cover does not anymore look like he is going to sing I Want Candy again. It looks like he has started beefing up his biceps. But if you are still sold on Aaron’s blond and blue-eyed good looks, then you might still want to check out his past accomplishments. Brother Nick is featured in Oh Aaron with No Secrets, in Not Too Young, Not Too Old and She Wants Me, while the Baha Men join in Summertime. Other cuts are Aaron’s Party (Come Get It), I Want Candy, I’m All About You, Leave It Up to Me, Another Earthquake, To All the Girls, Do You Remember, America A O, My Shorty and two of One Better with different mixes.