Melissa Etheridge

melissa brings warmth & depth to old classics & makes them her own. it's a delightful, soulful that evokes true spirit of the holidays

I'm not one who listens to Christmas music after Dec 25, but I can't put this CD away. I truly love it. It's all I listen to driving to and from work.

I wasn't sure what to expect but I just love this cd! I recommend it for anyone who loves the old traditional songs that have a new age twist. She is amazing as always. I love it!!

I am not a big Etheridge fan, I just picked this up a week or so ago because I noticed this when looking for a bluesy Christmas album. I love her covers of some of the classics like "Blue Christmas" and the guitar work is sweet, but sorry the originals don't seem memorable to me. They are not bad, but seem sort of bland to me. I think one problem (for me at least) was the attempt to mine a deep spiritual meaning from Christmas with only a veiled nod of disdain to traditional Christian spirituality. You can have a lot of fun with a totally secular recording if you don't like Christianity and I own and enjoy many recordings in that vein, but those recordings focus on tradition, fun, romance, and family. Christmas already has a rich spiritual context, one that is as complex and multifaceted as anyone could imagine, and if you don't go for that, it has be pretty good to avoid losing in comparison. Sorry, but reflecting on farmer's almanac facts like the relative length of days and nights is not a message that will bring hope to brighten the lives of those who are oppressed. The traditional Christmas tree defeats the trendy Festivus pole for me. So this is a new thought for Christmas, an original one for sure, just not a great one.

It is so great to hear some NEW Christmas tunes...especially when they are sung so passionately by the great Melissa Etheridge. I really enjoyed her versions of some of the classics, as well as her original songs. She's written some great lyrics and the message is clear...let's remember that Christmas is a time for peace. Loved this one!

I picked up a single in England 12 years ago, the album is everything i have been waiting for.

I love everything Melissa Etheridge has ever done. If put out an album of her simply singing the phone book I would buy it and probably love it. Her songs have been the sound track to my coming out and to my first serious relationship and then breakup. On the other hand, Melissa's music as always shied away from one topic which is very important to my life, faith.
in Awakening Melissa blew me away. Not only are these song beautiful and powerful but she also speaks out about issues of love, hate, faith, hope and just life.
This is one of her very best.

After seeing her last night in lowell mass I had to write something on this great piece of work! This is very differant than lucky which is a great piece on its own! This cd has a big kick to it with guitar solos not heard on her other releases and yes it rocks!! If you get a chance to see her do so you will not be disapointed!! She plays a long set. This is a very very good cd! What is unexpected on this is I was hoping for a Lucky part 2 but this is very differant in it has like an alternative edge to it! Its her hardest rocking release yet! We should all thank her for this one!!

I bought this without ever listening to any songs and I'm glad I did. Miss Etheridge has never let me down. I love this one as much as any others. You can feel the happiness (I believe these songs were inspired by her new wife Tammy) and the uplifting outlook she came upon. She wears her heart on her sleeve, stages of her life are reflected in her music, and that is the major part of her appeal to me.

Nice music with a wonderful message. Easy to listen too and very meaningful content for those on life's journey!

Great CD - if you love Melissa Ethrdige - you'll love compilation of her hits!

The new eco-friendly packaging is such a welcome site. The CD of course is a wonderful compilation of Melissa's greatest hits along with some powerful new ones. Definitely worth the purchase.

It's an excellent album!
The theme "I need a wake to wake up" is the best!

I have been listening to Melissa since 1988. She is classic. This album touches upon a few of her best. "I Need To Wake Up" is amazing!

Overall, this is an excellent greatest hits package and aside from missing a few gems, the content is first-rate. However, one shouldn't have to compromise packaging for content! The only way to get this CD with the bonus track "I Need To Wake Up"; is by purchasing this flimsy, inferior cardboard version. While Universal is busy pushing the new "green" theme approach to selling CDs, you should know that this is nothing more than a way for record companies to increase their profit margins. And if anything, this egg-carton version is even less eco-friendly than the "recyclable" jewel box. For example: Let's say I accidentally damage the cover by simply opening and closing it one too many times, or by merely laying it on a wet surface; I'm left with no other choice but to suffer the consequences or replace the entire album. (Of course, that's just an added bonus for labels, now isn't it.) However, in most circumstances, not only do jewel boxes provide superior protection to the original artwork AND disc, but they also cost only a few cents to replace if necessary. Sorry Universal, but I'll stick with my original purchase, even if it is a track short.

Melissa sings every song like it's her last. Some would argue that that's not necessarily a good thing, but it makes for some pretty powerful music...especially on the hits "I'm The Only One" and "Come To My Window". Other songs that pack a lot of emotional wallop is the slow-building "Silent Legacy" and the Springsteen like "Talking To My Angel"

This CD also has a stellar band with Waddy Wachtel on guitar, Scott Thurston on keys, Pino Palladino playing bass on four tracks and Ian McLagen laying down some organ on "I Will Never Be The Same".

YES I AM, released just as Melissa Etheridge was coming out publicly as a lesbian, is also her best album ever. This time, critics on both the East and West coasts raved about the album, and some of the negative reviews it got in the Midwest and the South were from people who disagreed with Etheridge's lifestyle and didn't give the album a good listen. I remember that when I was in a program in Connecticut in the 90s, a few of the more conservative staff tried to help me develop hobbies so that I wouldn't listen to this album, but that's because they seemed to have an issue with anyone who was gay or lesbian, which in eastern Connecticut wasn't widely accepted at the time (though it was tolerated more in Boston, MA; Portland, ME; and Burlington, VT). That's a pity, because this CD is great and expresses a wide variety of human emotion.

This is a powerful album, full of excellent song-writing and singing. I was introduced to it when my son bought it many years ago. When he moved to Utah from Oklahoma, I'd play it every time I visited. (Don't worry, I'll still go visit him, but at least I won't wear out his copy now).

My favorite song is the haunting "Talking to my Angel." I understand how she feels in this song, being raised in the midwest and having somewhat different values than most of my fellow midwesterners. It spoke to my heart. Luckily, I have an angel to talk to and she is my wife.

I laughed when I read some of the reviews. Those few reviews that wanted to criticize this CD because of Ethridge's sexuality seemed like some of those midwesterners to me that couldn't handle it. I can sing everyone of these songs without thinking about her lifestyle.

There were those who didn't like her voice or style of singing. She's a rocker, for goodness sake, don't ask her to sound like Barbara Streisand. The emotions are raw and sometimes so is her voice. But the emotions of her songs, lyrics, and voice shine through.

Play it loud and enjoy.

product came in plenty of time for Christmas and was just as described. Very good seller... thanks

I took my fiance at the time (we are married now) to one of Melissa's concerts. He went to appease me however he found that he could not help but tap his toes, dance around and get into the music even though he knew none of her songs. She is that powerful.

Her lyrics are rousing and lustrous. Her music and innovative style puts her on the cutting edge leaving her fans wanting more. "Yes I Am', Ruins" and "If I Only Wanted To" are just 3 of the songs on this album that I can really relate to.

If you are in the market to add an artist to your collection I would highly recommend this album.

I do not aggree with this singer's outlook on many issues, but her music is a different story.

In Holland (my homecountry) Melissa was an instant succes. It's hard to realize her debut has only so relatively recent, since her songs seem timeless and have a universal appeal. With just a few words she paints a picture of a love gone wrong, despair and regret. From out of nowhere she hit the music scene with this album and stayed there ever since, much to my pleasure.

Melissa Etheridge's self-titled debut is great, including such great midtempo love-gone-wrong songs as "Similar Features", "Like The Way I Do", and the CD's best song, "Bring Me Some Water." The album received mixed reviews when it came out, with most most East Coast critics panning it for being too one-dimensional, especially THE ROLLING STONE ALBUM GUIDE; somehow, it took ROLLING STONE quite some time to appreciate Etheridge's talent as a singer-musician-songwriter (or did she simply become better at using the abilities G-d gave as her career progressed?). In stark contrast, critics on the West Coast considered it a breath of fresh air in a world of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. The latter viewpoint is, in my opinion, more valid. This is a great debut album by a great artist.

I remember I was in a record store one afternoon and there was this song playing, "Somebody Bring Me Some Water" and I was hooked! I have purchased every album she has produced and try to see her in concert when she is in my area. She is powerful, potent and emotional! She is versatile, arousing and strong! Her voice is raspy and deep. If you like Janice Joplin, Joss Stone or Bruce Springstein then I would recommend this album. It is nothing short of indubitable.

This album made me a fan and is still her best work. She rocks, rolls and emotes in these songs in a raw, powerful way that pulls you into the songs.

One of my favorite Melissa Etheridge albums. The lyrics rock, the music rocks, the vocal rocks. Buy it...you won't regret it!

I like every kind of music from rock to rap to celtic to latin. I own over a thousand cds & this is on the top three list of my all time favorites. Anyone that is hurting after a bad realationship, is depressed, or just wants to be in love, can relate to this album (even if you havn't been through any of these three things, it's still a terrifc cd). I personally can relate to all ten of the songs on it. It would be a mistake for any fan to be without this album or anyone that likes good music for that matter.

Some cds you only like a few songs. I have never owned one melissa cd that had even one song I did not like! Way to go Melissa! I hope she is healed from her cancer scare!

I do like Lissy, and have quite a few of her albums, but when I think about it I think I like her more for what she is (ie when I was 19, the fact she was an out lesbian rocker was enough) than her actual output. Prior to this one, only her debut would I put on and listen to all the way through, though many of her other albums do have fantastic standout tracks.

Having said that, Skin is one of the most completely accomplished albums in my collection (and I have a few!). It runs the gamut of human emotion (well, to do with love) and encompasses variation in musical terms. It's all rock, but there are ballads, pure rockers, folk and even a bit of electronica sneaks on The Different, my fave track from the album.

Her naive lyrics are charming and "in front of total strangers won't you kiss me" on I Want To Be In Love, I think, absolutely sums up a gay person falling in love in one succinct line, like I have heard nowhere else, ever. (Please don't take that as any kind of gay versus straight comment, it's just straight people kissing in front of strangers doesn't really compare to gay people doing it.)

If you're thinking of buying a Lissy and don't know where to start, there's no better place than here. Skin really is an awesome, adult, heart-felt album that will not leave your 'regularly played' selection for years. I bought it on special after the fact and I almost want to send her a cheque for the difference. It's that good.

(Almost, obviously. I'm not a fool.)

I have listened to "Skin" more than often enough; and I find this is a perfect album to play when you're the most depressed; considering the circumstances of Julie Cypher leaving. "Please Forgive Me" personally rips me apart; perfectly detailed to the bone and I can almost feel her emotions on her lips, "It's been so long since I've touched/So long since I've wanted/and you made me laugh/and my heart opened..." and "It's Only Me" shows her at her lowest point, "Maybe you can just pretend/that maybe you can love again/oh babe i know better/it's only me/and wherever you are tonight/the satisfaction you invite/nobody knows better/it's only me." This is one of the few albums that I know by heart every word and every chord. This album is perfect. When a singer goes through trauma, as bad as it hurts, it does bring out beautiful and real music.

This is a great cd. I'm so glad I made this purchase. The cd has some well known songs on it as well as some of melissa's lesser known songs. I recommend this cd to everyone.

This cd is the best by her, the new stuff as in "I Run for Life" hits home to alot of women who have been through, gone through with another person and the whole idea life goes on..awsome just awsome

Melissa Etheridge has done it again. With her poignant lyrics, unmistakable voice you get someone who is gifted and unique on her own. This cd is a capsule of some of her greatest hits, and couple New songs

New Songs
"I Run For Life"- my favorite song for many reasons I know people who dealt with cancer. The title states exactly the definition of this,"darkness her body possess...everyday that she gets herself dress... if you ask her why she is still running it makes her complete-I run for Hope, I run to fear... I run for your mother, your sister, your wife..I RUN FOR LIFE". This song alone is worth the PURCHASE of this Cd. Worth 10 stars

"This Is Not Goodbye"--I didn't know what to expect & I must say it is one of the best song on the album, reason being as a M.E. fan you have an idea of the other songs based from previous albums, but this is a new song and the first thing that came to mind was the impermanence of her life during her cancer days, and telling her partner(Tammy L Etheridge) she is not going anywhere. Her soothing voice just says "Bravely you let go of my hand I can't speak yet you understand, where I go now, I go alone this path I walk is days of storm and the angels are calling,I must go away, wait for me here silently staying and don't asked me why only believe this is not goodbye..." WOW, this is tear jerker. This woman is lyrically gifted songwriter. 5 Stars

"Pieces of My Heart"- wow she gave a Janis Joplin performance on this track, you can feel the soul on this song. 5 Stars

Her Greatest Hits
"Refugee"--Wow, amazing song and great opener to understanding this Cd- High riffs of the guitar and her rock voice is stands out on this track "You don't have to live like a refugee...everybody have the right to be free". Nicely done 5 Stars

"Bring Me Some Water", -A Rock tune that, starts of with some nice guitar riffs and the words "tonight I am making some excuses some other woman is making love to you". Heh, talk about bold. 5 Stars

"Come to My Window"-One of my favorites, a rock ballad that is universal and soothing. A love that you chasing,"I need you in my blood I am forsaking all the rest...I don't care what they say what do they know about this love anyway" hmm enough said. 5 Stars

"I'm the Only One" and "I Want to Come Over"-another great guitar riff song with the lyrics standing out "I am the only one that will walk a thousand miles for you"...Wow that's love and the song "I want to come over", is yearning for that special someone who belongs to someone else. "I know you are alone...your lover is gone let me in...open your back door I just want to touch you once more". For some reason you know its infidelity but you welcome it because of the chase.... 5 Stars

"You Can Sleep While I Drive" & "Angels Will Fall"- the song is inviting a love one on a journey across town and "Angels will Fall" is another lyrically nice song with nice guitar riffs. 4.8 Stars

All the songs are great from start to finish even if its missing some of my favorites from her previous albums like "Breadth" "This Moment" and "When You Find the One" and tracks from her Skin Album, I have no problem Recommending this CD. Its is worth the ticket price, a MUST HAVE if you are a newcomer or long time fan.

There is only one word that can describe the contents of Melissa's latest offering to us...fabulous!!!

ANY Melissa Etheridge is fantastic!!! A true must have. It has a bit of everything from her previous albums!!!

Ms Etheridge is just a fantastic writer and singer! Can hardly wait to get the new one!

if you are a Melissa Etheridge fan,this is why.if you are not,
you will be after you give this one a listen.this is her 2nd
album and there is no sophomore jinx here.her later efforts
have an unfourtunate propensity to be very overproduced--
no such problem exists with this effort.every song on this
album is perfect,simple Melissa--no bells and/or whistles
are needed or expected.this is an exceptional set of songs
from an exceptional artist--doing what she does best and
enjoying it.there are no weak or "filler" tunes here--just a
thoughly enjoyable album from start to finish.this is a very worthwhile expenditure of your entertainment $.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone looking for high quality,well
recorded music.

I saw her at the "flats" in Cleveland almost 20 years ago, doing songs from her very first LP. She was jammin. I love her music cause it actually ses something. For me, it's about her music in and of itself-the stories. They have heart and soul. Sometimes they don't go the way you want them to..seems to be a lot of pain but it's real. I love the way she tells her stories. It's not about her sexual preference and its not about her stance on the political merry-go-round. If I want that, I'll watch the news. I just love all her music and this is one of the best, aside from her very first.

Some of her best work is found on this album. It's much more raw and continues the sound of her first album. This is not as refined and radio friendly as her later albums but it shows her in top form. The song 'No Souvenirs' had some airplay but the best cuts can only be found by digging in.

One of her best songs, 'Royal Station 4/16, rolls along at a frenetic pace, accompanied by Bono on the harmonica. The album, as a whole, is not as dark as her debut but it's definitely on the moodier side. A terrific follow-up to a stellar debut.

"Brave And Crazy" is Melissa Etheridge's sophmore album released in 1989. The songs and her performances are more raw and personal than her self-titled debut. Yet, she keeps her musical quality on top. This is only one of eight albums that proves that she is one of the greatest female rockers of all time. Her lyrics are always honest, which deserves her tremendous respect as an artist. She pours every drop of emotion through every note in every track. This forces listeners to feel her words. Melissa Etheridge once said in an interview that she felt more honest and lyrically free after she come out with her sexual orientation in 1993. She felt that this improved her music. Still, "Brave And Crazy" is amazing like her other seven albums. Whether she sings an upbeat song or a ballad, her performances stay on top. Her guitar playing matches the themes perfectly. Whether she writes hardcore rock, folk, pop, or blues, her songwriting always has the intense chemistry that keeps listeners interested. "Brave And Crazy" is a great album from a true rock artist that will keep people listening for a many more years.

Melissa Etheridge is a heroine to me - any public figure who is brave enough to be openly lesbian or gay in Reagan-Bush America is a hero. Few songs have ever been written that are more beautiful than "You Can Sleep While I Drive". I first came across it on CMT, when Trisha Yearwood covered it (very well, too), but it's a Melissa Etheridge song, and if she's brave and crazy, then I like me some brave and crazy. Go, Melissa - go, girl. Ain't much better than you.

When ever I am in one of my "BITCH" modes I reach for this CD, and in no time I'm feeling less bitchy and more empowered. Lesbian, straight, who cares! Melissa just plain rocks! Like most other reviewers I have to laugh with Crazy for Me, but it is oh so true! So, when you've had a "bitch" of a day at work, with your lover, and you want to get it out of your system, put Melissa in the CD player, crank it up, roll back the sun roof, and drive. You'll feel great afterward!

In the dozen years that have passed since this album came out Melissa E has become somewhat overrated and over glorified, now I'm not saying Melissa doesn't deserve the kudos she is bestowed, in fact I was on that lesbian bandwagon way before anyone outside of the music critic's circles knew she existed. The prob is Melissa's first four albums (Melissa Etheridge, Brave & Crazy, Never Enough, Yes, I Am)were great - spirited, spunky, thought provoking, sad and happy all at once. But after that she decided to stick to the formula on Yes, I Am and milk it for all its worth. Sure she had some great hits post Yes I Am, but to me it was always her album tracks that really shined and its on those first albums where she was saying something new. I tend to go back and forth between this album (Never Enough) and Brave & Crazy as my favorite Melissa albums, but since I wanted a little more rocking in my ears, I opted to dust off this CD and play it for all its worth - featuring one of my fav singles "Ain't It Heavy" (Sometimes it's never enough/ survival is fine but satisfaction is rough) Melissa goes for a feminist approach before crunching into one of her most experimental songs "2001" which now that its 2006 doesn't pull the punch so much anymore ("wake me up when we hit 2001") but it's still a good song. Most of the songs incorporate her old school rock roots with some twang thrown in here and there, and of course songs of sex - though Miss E was pretty clever in these early days never giving the songs' characters a real gender thus making the song one anyone straight or gay could sing along with and of course there's the little over the top ballads she would later be known for but like most of Melissa's work, it's her lyrics that have always pulled me in, and Never Enough really pulls you in from beginning to the end.

Melissa Etheridge does it again and keeps you rockin' There isn't a song on here that lets you down. I can just put it on repeat and enjoy it for hours... YES its THAT GOOD! Thanks M.E. for bringing my spirits up whenever I'm feeling low.

This is something of a transitional album for Melissa Etheridge. After he stellar debut and a follow-up that was a bit too raw for the mainstream, there is something of an effort here to go 'pop'. Such songs as 'Ain't It Heavy' and '2001' add some pop beats that are ok, but pretty much disposable. 'Must Be Crazy for Me' and 'Meet Me in the Back' are also upbeat songs but these work.

However, digging into the album a bit more we find her strengths, when that acoustic guitar get strumming and her voice really penetrates to the very soul. One of my favorite songs, 'Keep It Precious', is found on this album. The other slower numbers on this album are also excellent showing her range. She is no flash in the pan. Overall, it's not as strong as her debut nor as consistent as 'Yes I Am' but this one's a must have for any fan.

This cd is EXCELLENT, as are most of Melissa Etheredges cd's. Both upbeat tunes like "Must be Crazy for me" and slower songs like " Keep It Precious" make up her third album "Never Enough" I would DEFINATELY reccomend this cd to anyone looking to listen to a very geniune artist. Buy this cd, buy her new one, buy them all and complete your Etheridge collection.

This is a production that should have been named, "I AM A GIANT". Melissa pushes the envelope with such raw talent....augh, I just LOVE this album. Music is certainly a personal taste item, but I would be surprised to find too many who were not thrilled with this album. Rocksy, bluesy, a little introspective. This woman has guts and I just love her for it.

You know, I just hate to stick my neck out and go against what seems to be the main trend in reviews on an album, because I know it's gonna get a bunch of "not helpful" votes since people seem intent on rating a review not by how actually helpful or not it is, but by whether or not it regurgitates their own personal opionion. (Sorry, bit of pet peeve rant there.)

So anyway, I'm really surprised that the majority of reviews for this album are so overwhelmingly not just positive, but raving about how great it is. It's an okay album. I don't think there's anything critically wrong with it, but honestly, I just don't see anything incredibly great about it either. It has mostly left me feeling blah.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge Melissa fan and have been since her debut album. Maybe if I was a more casual fan I would have liked this album better, but it just doesn't feel like anywhere near her best effort. I do really like some of the songs, such as the title song "Lucky". "Will You Still Love Me" is one of my favorites that Melissa has done, "When You Find the One" is really pretty, and "Mercy" made it onto one of my custom Melissa playlists. I also like "Giant" when in certain moods. The rest I rarely to never listen to and don't feel my life is any less complete because of it.

In the end, whether an album is a good to great album or not is dependant on how it all fits together, not just on individual songs. And in that respect Lucky seems more like an album that has just been slapped together than one that has been carefully crafted. So that's me sticking my neck out and waiting for all the negative votes. But sometimes a reasoned dissenting point of view is needed to help those wondering whether they should lay out the cash for a CD or not. My opinion for this one is to just buy and download the individual songs you want and skip the CD.

The album,"Lucky" was a real surprise. I bought this album originaly for one song, "Breath" but I found myself being drawn into all of 13 tracks. This is one of those sleeper CD's that you want to recomened to everyone but, the lyrics are so personal you still want to keep it to yourself. All the songs on "Lucky" are a moving tribute to life, liberty, and the pursute of it all. THANKS MELISSA!

I love the passion Melissa sings with. I love that she puts her heart right out there.
My favorite song on this album is Tuesday Morning. It sent chills down my spine. Such an awesome message! Go Melissa!!

I give this album 4 stars because it took me a few listens to really get into it. There is certainly a mix of different messages and a lot of emotions and examination going on with Melissa and her new life that come about in this album. There are a couple of songs that I loved immediately and a couple that like I said above took a couple of listens before I was able to really get into them.

This was the first CD I've ever owned of Melissa's so I didn't know what to expect and didn't go into it with any kind of preset notions of how it should sound so I think it helped me to enjoy the experience more. Since I bought this album I have also purchased three other Melissa Etheridge CD's and you can certainly hear the change in the tone and in her voice.

I love this CD and I would recommend you buy it but I would stay away from comparing it to her other albums. If you like her darker sound you probably won't like this album but if you are like me and don't mind something a little different than what she usually sings then you will love it.