Why can't record companies do these things right?!

I love Gloria Estefan. During the 80's, she basically had 2 kinds of hits, the latin influenced uptempo numbers and the Karen Carpenter-ish ballads. During the period covered by this CD (1985-1993), Gloria had the most success of her career. She racked up 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 during this period, and this CD only contains 14 songs. Here are the songs that this CD criminally ignores:



1. Dr. Beat (1984) - This song did not chart on the Hot 100, but it was the first release from her first album and deserves inclusion just for historical perspective.



2. Bad Boy (1986) - Went to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, why is it not here!



3. Falling in Love [Uh-Oh] (1986) - A #25 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.



4. Betcha Say That (1987) - A #36 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.



5. Oye Mi Canto [Hear my Voice] (1990) - A #48 hit, should have been a much bigger hit than it was and should have been included here!



6. Cuts Both Ways (1990) - A #44 hit on the Hot 100.



7. Seal our Fate (1991) - A #53 hit.



8. Can't Forget You (1991) - A #43 hit.



9. Live for Loving You (1991) - A #22 hit.



That is 9 songs that should have been on this CD. To make matters worse, they included a song from her Christmas album ("Christmas Through Your Eyes"). Now, there is nothing wrong with this song, but it belongs on a Christmas album, not a Greatest Hits compilation. If you put this CD on in the middle of summer, who wants to hear a Christmas song?! Plus the song was not even technically a hit since it did not chart on the Hot 100. That song should be gone and the 9 songs above should have been on here. To add insult to injury, when they released "Greatest Hits Vol 2" in 2001, they still ignored these hits.



The only hope is that one day the record company will issue a box set with all of her Hot 100 hits. I guess you can do like I did, buy this CD for the great songs that it does contain (especially the excellent ballads "Can't Stay Away from You", "Anything for You", "Here we Are" and "Don't Wanna Lose You"), and then download the missing tracks from the internet. Recommended for the songs it does not contain, but not recommended for leaving off so many good songs.

Where's "Bad Boy?!"

My eyes must be pulling some trick on me, my version of Estefan's "Greatest Hits" contains 16 tracks, not 14.

Anyways... the collection manages to cover most of Estefan's pre-90's career, all the hits are there: Conga, Rhythm is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Here We Are and Can't Stay Away from You.



That being said her second Top 10 hit single "Bad Boy" is missing, and this is a big mistake. (And so is the cheesy "Dr. Beat").

Fortunately for me, my version of her "Greatest Hits" album contains "Bad Boy" so I guess it's so bad after all.

If you like Gloria's thin and powerless voice alongside the fast rhythm of Estefan this is the collection to get...



..Alas, if you can; get a hold onf the UK edition of the CD.

Her Best "Best of"

This album presents hit after hit, dating back to the beginning of Gloria Estefan's career. Each song is just wonderful. Smooth, romantic ballads interspersed with music guaranteed to get you "off your feet" and dance.