Heart - These Dreams: Heart's Greatest Hits (1997) {US Press}

Spanning 1975-1995, These Dreams: Heart's Greatest Hits isn't an ideal collection of Heart's best known songs, but it does a darn nice job trying to be. While this 1997 release boasts 17 of Heart's best known songs, it doesn't always contain the best known versions of those songs – because of licensing restrictions, Capitol didn't have access to all of Heart's material. Essential Capitol hits of the 1980s are provided, and that includes the power ballads ("Alone," "These Dreams," "What About Love,") as well as the rockers ("If Looks Could Kill," "Who Will You Run To," "Never"). But what about Heart's pre-Capitol hits? Thankfully, Capitol did have access to Dreamboat Annie and Magazine; so the definitive versions of "Magic Man," "Dreamboat Annie," "Crazy on You," and "Heartless" are included. But Capitol didn't have access to Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly, and other Epic/Portrait releases. So the company acknowledges Heart's Epic/Portrait years by offering a live version of "Barracuda" from 1990's Rock The House: Live and acoustic performances of "Dog and Butterfly" and "Straight On" from 1995's The Road Home. And while those aren't the most famous versions of those songs, they're very nice substitutes. Capitol, unfortunately, didn't have access to any versions of "Kick It Out" or "Little Queen," and the absence of any version of "How Can I Refuse" (which Heart performs on Rock The House: Live) is also regrettable. But all things considered, These Dreams: Heart's Greatest Hits provides a rewarding overview of the Wilson sisters' work in the '70s, '80s, and '90s.

~ Alex Henderson, All Music