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Tina Arena : In Deep
Billboard Review
What will it take to break this tantalizing
pop singer/songwriter in the U.S.?
So far, U.S. radio has not rewarded Australia's biggest-selling
female artist in history with substantial airplay -
a baffling enigma - but the pieces are in place on this
stunning set, which follows 1996's "Don't Ask"
album.
Tina Arena has called upon a slew of heavyweights
- Diane Warren, Walter Afanasieff, and Jim Steinman
- and the result is a solid challenge to reigning diva
Celine Dion.
There are the hair-raising ballad romps
"Sixteen Years" and "No Shame",
the beautiful love song and international smash "Burn",
and a killer update of Foreigner's "I Want To Know
What Love Is" (produced by writer Mick Jones, who
also proves backing vocals). In addition, "In Deep"
includes the sweeping first single, "If I Was A
River," form Warren, and "I Want To Spend
My Lifetime Loving You," a duet with Marc Anthony
and a top 10 hit in Europe. Anyone who has every embraced
pop music at its best should latch onto this radiant
collection. Arena has glorious pipes, a charismatic
presence, and the song writing savvy of a lifelong hitmaker.
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