Mr. Big
Deep Cuts

How nice it is sometimes to be able to relax. Perhaps lying down on a couch or bed and putting on a record that is not excessive. Not the usual rock or metal. Sometimes you can even listen to a nice album of calm songs, not necessarily sweet, but endowed with a relaxing atmosphere. And this record creates them in full.

A very elaborate collection of Mr. Big's ballads, some of which have been recorded in a new version with Ritchie Kotzen. It might seem like a soulless record, without passion or bite, but it has enormous value, even though the songs are all super hits. The album also contains two beautiful new tracks, written for the release of this "best of ballads": I'm talking about "Where are they now" and "I'll leave it up to you".
The first is a rather rock song with a catchy melody, the second is perhaps the track that wonderfully represents the album: Martin pours his soul into the song, which is the most beautiful thing Mr. Big has ever written. The album opens in a stunning way like this. And that’s no small feat, not at all.

Putting aside the two unreleased tracks, the "best of" begins: "Had Enough" is the first ballad written by the group, emotional. And it continues with "Promise her the moon" and "Just take my heart", remixed in a new version. Less computerized but much more "live", these two new versions might disappoint at first listen, but they represent strengths of the album: remixing such successful songs can be a risk, but the result achieved is very fine.
It continues with "Superfantastic", a melodic and almost fun acoustic ballad. "You don't have to be strong" is a b-side. You can hear the good Kotzen duet with Martin in a relaxing song like never before. We return to Gilbertian territories with "Anything for you". Melancholic, desolate, wonderful this song in a crescendo not only rhythmic but emotional. While we fall into the pleasant sweetness of "Wild world", Cat Stevens' cover, the acoustic parade continues with the cheerful "Ain't seen a love like that". Beautiful and that’s all it takes to describe it all.

The more pressing rhythm of "Dancin right into the flame" brings us back to more rocking territories and is a pleasant awakening. While the slow cadence of "The chain" brings us back to the sound relaxation that permeates the whole album. "Goin' where the wind blows" still moves while the sweet "If that's what it takes" makes you dream. And finally, "To be with you" could not be missing, the commercial consecration of this great band. The splendid live version of "my new religion" definitively closes it. I was eagerly awaiting to review this collection of great ballads. The term ballad does not deceive: there is so much professionalism and an immense amount of talent in these songs that you will be amazed. Every note, every passage, every single word is placed in its precise place.

For those who love an album that can move without frills or unnecessary overly technical artifices, this "Deep Cuts" album will satisfy them. For everyone.