Seal - Best 1991-2004 (2004)

At least five different versions of this album were released. I own the edition known as The Ultimate Collection, a two disc set which includes a disc of 13 acoustic versions of Seal's music.

I already had all of Seal's albums between 1991 and 2004, so why would I buy this compilation?

1. The second disc of acoustic versions.
2. I found it in a used bin.

However, it turns out that the 14 track first disc has a couple of songs that I didn't have: the previously unreleased cover of the Bacharach/David tune Walk On By, a cover of Steve Miller's Fly Like An Eagle from the Space Jam soundtrack, and a remix of My Vision featuring Jakatta that is superior to the version that appears on Seal IV.

If you're like me, you mostly listen to music through car systems, ear buds, or computer speakers. However, for today's listen to these discs, I'm using a set of Bose OE2 headphones because you need something like that to fully appreciate the nuances of Trevor Horn's production. These headphones are a recent purchase, so I'm hearing things I've never heard before. I don't consider myself to be an audiophile, but wow.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #47

Tracks:  My opinions on most of the previously released tracks can be found here. Of the new tunes, I'm not wild about either of the covers because they don't add much to the music. I do like the previously mentioned remix of My Vision as well as the cover of Lips Like Sugar which also appears on the 50 First Dates soundtrack.

The acoustic disc isn't as good as I had hoped it would be. And its not all acoustic - there's some electric bass and keyboards. The better tracks on the second disc are Crazy, Colours, Love's Divine, and Waiting For You. The acoustic version of Walk On by is better than the one of the first disc.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
IV (2003)
Human Being (1998)
Seal (1994)
Seal (1991)