Yvonne Elliman - 20th Century Masters: The Best Of Yvonne Elliman (2004)

Yvonne Elliman is remembered for her hit from Saturday Night Fever, the luminous "If I Can't Have You," and that's about it. That's too bad because she was a pretty nice soft rock/easy disco singer who released some fine records in the '70s. 20th Century Masters: The Best of Yvonne Elliman shows her gentle way with a ballad on the lovely cover of the Eagles' "Best of My Love," her breathy take on the Neil Sedaka-penned "Baby Don't Let It Mess With Your Mind," and her first hit, "I Don't Know How to Love Him," from the cast album of Jesus Christ Superstar. It also shows she could handle a sexy groove on her sly cover of Barbara Lewis' "Hello Stranger" and the Barry and Robin Gibb-written "Love Me." She wasn't always handed the best of material to work with as the cheesy "Love Pains" and "Everything Must Change" show, but even on these tracks her winning charms rule the day. The only thing this collection doesn't do is improve on the best-of disc Polydor released in 1997 and has since deleted. That set included her stunning cover of the Who's "I Can't Explain" as well as a sweet Artie Wayne ballad, "From the Inside," and two rock-hard takes on Traffic's "Can't Find My Way Home." In fact these three songs are better than anything on 20th Century Masters apart from "If I Can't Have You." Why they weren't included is a mystery. Maybe even a tragedy. Elliman certainly deserves better and so does anyone who is looking for a comprehensive overview of her career. Guess you better check your local used CD shop or eBay before you buy this misguided collection.