Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Leaving aside the vexed question of Dionne's precise spiritual state (on the plus side the diva started off in gospel and as recently as 2008 released the gospel album 'Why We Sing' and on the minus side her erratic life style and her notorious appearances as a presenter in a spiritualist TV series), one thing everyone can agree on - her early albums are classics. The combination of her sublime, cool but cultured voice; the haunting melodies of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's cleverly crafted lyrics; and Bacharach's productions with the cream of New York's session men made a series of musical masterpieces which have seldom been bettered. Warwick's first album, 1963's 'Presenting. . .', offered her debut single "Don't Make Me Over"; the epitome of wistful innocence "Wishin' And Hopin'" and one of B&D's greatest ever songs "Make It Easy On Yourself". Amazingly, the next album, 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' (1964), was even better. The title track was unforgivably mangled by Britain's Cilla Black but the original shows the song in all its classic symphonic soul wonder. There's also a floaty, samba-like "Any Old Time Of The Day" while there's even a God reference in the dramatic ballad "Oh Lord What Are You Doing To Me". 'Make Way For. . .' was rushed out to cash in on the success of another Warwick/Bacharach/David classic "Walk On By" while "Reach Out For Me" and "You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)" are more timeless B&D gems. Unfortunately, the album also contains the singer beginning to move into MOR melodrama and I personally could have done without her version of "A House Is Not A Home". Finally, there's 'The Sensitive Sound Of. . .' where unfortunately sensitivity is largely lacking. Most of the tracks were recorded in London and "Wives And Lovers" has a bit of old school swing but is still pretty vapid. However, the first three albums on this attractively priced package contain so many classics it's surely a must for nostalgists, pop music historians and those who simply enjoy classic pop soul beautifully performed.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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