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Tina Turner

Since the 1960s, rock has been the music of choice for bootleggers, who have put out few R&B bootlegs. About the only time you'll find a bootleg that contains any R&B is when the artist has a lot of rock appeal -- i.e., Prince or Tina Turner. A case in point is Simply the Best '96, which ranges from R&B/pop to pop and pop/rock. Recorded from the soundboard at Ajax Stadium in Amsterdam, Holland in September 1996, Simply the Best '96 offers excellent sound quality and focuses mainly on Turner's solo hits of the 1980s and 1990s. It would have been nice if Turner had included some classics from her Ike & Tina Turner years -- you won't find "Proud Mary," "Bold Soul Sister" and "Nutbush City Limits" on this obscure bootleg. But hearing Turner (who was 58 when this was recorded) wail on solo hits like "What's Love Got To Do With It," "Private Dancer," "In Your Wildest Dreams" and "Better Be Good to Me" is nothing to complain about. Her voice grows weak and tired in a few spots, but for the most part, she's in good form. Although not essential, Simply the Best '96 is a CD that Turner's hardcore fans will appreciate. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide