AMG Review of I Am Woman: The Essential Helen Reddy Collection

Charles Donovan
All Music Guide

I Am Woman: The Essential Helen Reddy Collection is a compilation that lives up to its name -- everything anyone could possibly need to know about Helen Reddy's heyday is included, and more. Dwelling largely on her years at Capitol, and concentrating almost exclusively on single releases, I Am Woman is a more comprehensive round-up than 1975's Greatest Hits. Among the highlights are "I Am Woman," "Delta Dawn," and "Angie Baby," her hat-trick of U.S. number ones. Album favorite "The West Wind Circus" is here, too, along with a couple of moments from her short and unfruitful 1980s MCA period, and some soundtrack work. Fortunately, the weaker Capitol albums are ignored. Reddy's best work is impressive listening, particularly when shorn of the poor quality album fodder.