Jackie De Shannon - Her Own Kind Of Light: The Best Of Jackie De Shannon

From Gold Star to Laurel Canyon

This is the sole CD album issue from EMI amid a raft of digital downloads of De Shannon albums, and acts as a fine primer of her work. From the earliest recordings here, 1962’s You Won’t Forget Me and 1963’s Breakaway, her commanding voice and writing skills are evident. De Shannon’s strength was undoubtedly in her songwriting, as her songs were often made hits by others, such as Bette Davis Eyes which is here in De Shannon’s version from 1975.

We get some interesting collaborations: with Jimmy Page on Don’t Turn Your Back On Me and I Remember The Boy, and with The Byrds, who back her on Splendour In The Grass. There are three songs from the still underappreciated Laurel Canyon album, which is among her very best work. Later comes her singalong Vanilla O’Lay and a strong closing track with the less-known Wings Of Victory. Anyone who appreciates good pop ought to have a Jackie collection, and this one will lead you to dig deeper into her extensive catalogue.

EMI/Zonophone | ZONO 20083

Reviewed by Kingsley Abbott
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