Nothing Comes Easy

our CDs and 101 songs may seem like more Sandie Shaw than most listeners would want to own, much less hear -- that's what this reviewer thought, until he started going song by song through this set, and damned if there was not one song in this collection, covering her complete single A- and B-sides from 1964 through 1988, that wasn't worth hearing. Indeed, there are revelations throughout, starting with the superb sound and the use of proper first-generation masters on everything here, and the digital production to back it up with a warm, rich sound that's quietly intoxicating and seductive. The evolution of Shaw's style and approach to singing is so gradual that it catches you unaware when she shifts from one style to another -- her 1980s sides may be far removed from the British Invasion sides in style, but you hardly notice the incremental moves, from being surrounded by electric rhythm guitars to accompanied by synthesized drums, and she's pretty powerful in either mode. The sound is amazingly crisp throughout, making up for a multitude of sins evident in past compilations of Shaw's work. The fourth disc is made up of rare tracks that, for a change, can be taken as simply more good music by the casual listener, as much as savored by the true fan. The accompanying booklet would also make a pretty good core for a serious hardcover book on Shaw. ~ Bruce Eder|