The Best of Tracey Ullman

Album Review

Metro's The Best Of showcases Tracey Ullman's new wave and girl group-inspired music, including her brilliant, Kirsty MacColl-penned single and Top Ten hit "They Don't Know About Us." Though her covers of songs like the Waitresses' "I Know What Boys Like" and Blondie's "(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear" aren't quite up to par with the originals — or as distinctive as her own songs — Ullman still brings enough sassy flair to them to make them entertaining in their own right. Other highlights include her version of Doris Day's "Move Over Darling," "You Broke My Heart in 17 Places" — another track written by MacColl — "Breakaway," and "Sunglasses." With its mix of highlights from Ullman's albums You Broke My Heart in 17 Places and You Caught Me Out and several B-sides, The Best Of is nearly as good a retrospective of Ullman's all too brief recording career as Rhino's enduring The Best of Tracey Ullman. Even though she didn't pursue music after she had success as a comedienne and actress, the knowing innocence and clever, versatile wit she displays in those arenas is also what makes her music so enjoyable as well.