This is an album of decade old "demo" material not originally intended for public consumption. "The Complete Limelight Sessions" features 17 songs Shania recorded in 1989-90, before she signed with Mercury Records. At the time, she was working in Canada to support her younger siblings after the death of her parents. Shania, her management, and current label Mercury were properly informed of this album, and while they do not formally support it, do accept its release. The producer holds legal copyright to the sound recording, and deserves a chance to recoup original costs, though whether this release is wise or helpful is for fans to decide.

All 17 tracks have been remastered, most with newly recorded/remixed instrumentals, plus a new club/dance mix. This remastered version is vastly superior sonically versus any of the earlier, unlawful bootlegs (see note). Five of six "additional" tracks add quality to the album. "Send It With Love" is a genuine highlight, and Shania's sassy attitude reveals itself lyrically throughout. However, please don't buy this CD expecting any new music: it demonstrates Shania's still formative, raw talents in more of a late 80's pop/rock style, and is of interest mainly to collectors and more ardent fans. "The Complete Limelight Sessions" contains early pre-fame recordings of lesser quality than her exceptional mega-selling major label albums of the 90s. For serious fans in need of a Shania fix, it is a listenable CD reflecting a particular musical time and place, probably worth adding to your collection.

Note: "The Complete Limelight Sessions" is the *only* legal release of Shania's early recordings to date... Confusion arose when some of these songs appeared on several inferior bootleg recordings ("Beginnings" in North America, "Wild and Wicked" and assorted titles in Europe) - without Shania's permission or knowledge, against her wishes and those of the original producer. So fans are cautioned to ignore any other so-called "early Shania" CDs - all were unlawfully released and are of inferior audio quality.

... In the meantime, please remain patient Shania fans, as we await her new studio album on Mercury/Universal, the long-awaited follow-up to her historic "Come On Over," scheduled for release in spring/summer 2002.


A new look at Shania   October 25, 2001
Kim Anderson (Ontario,Canada)
20 out of 22 found this review helpful

As any avid Shania fan knows,this is not an official release and Shania did not give her permission for it to be released.I bought it however because it is a part of the Shania Twain history and it belongs in my collection.The presentation is nice with a cardboard slipcase and black and white photos.The photos are rare never before released shots of Shania in 1988 before she became the commercialised star we know today.The photos show an innocent and fresh girl that doesn't look much like Shania today.I played the CD and I understand why the 6 songs were not released on the Beginnings CD.They are not the high quality that we are used to with the Twain/Lange masterpieces and in some parts,her voice sounds shrilly.My personal opinion is buy it if you are a big Shania fan or collector just for the photos but for musical preference,Beginnings sounds much better.Perhaps I have to let this CD grow on me but I know that Shania must be disappointed to have her first attempt at recording released like this.


Shania's Start   February 16, 2004
Kayla (Belton, SC USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I think this CD was a really good CD for Shania Twain to put out as her first CD. It shows her in a different light. I now know that she has a wonderful voice without it having to be edited. If you get to here this CD I think it will make a huge impact on you, showing you Shania's true and talented voice.


Not for country fans at all   August 1, 2003
bunnylady5 (Snohomish, WA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I was very disappointed with this cd. All the songs are 80s pop-type tunes. When I purchased this cd, I bought it on the assumption that it was advertised as "For Shania Lovers, Complete Your Collection." Hello? It's not even in the same genre as her current musical style which is Country or Country Pop. I am kicking myself for buying this cd and now I can't even give it away - no one wants it!


Country Purists Beware (ah ain't no country purist)   September 14, 2005
Jeff Pearlman (Lakeland, FL USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is definitely NOT one of those discs where dreadful demos from a superstar's early days are dredged up and carelessly remixed to make a cheap buck. At least it doesn't sound that way. These are well-produced pop/rock (and a little dance) songs Ms. T. did in the late 1980s. The "packaging" is nice too, including terrific photos and good liner notes too (but see below). And even a slipcase. I like slipcases.

The red-state folks who need Shania to be strictly a "country" artist and turn a blind eye to her pretty-darn-good pop remixes probably won't be able to deal with this, as it could lead to dancing of the non-line variety. But us more "liberal" fans OK with our singers stretching sometimes will find much to enjoy here. Ironically, some of the crunchiest of these ("Wild and Wicked", "Hate To Love", "Luv Eyes") sound a bit like what producer/hubby "Mutt" Lange turns out with bad boys like Def Leppard. Go figure.

Early standouts for me, are "Lost My Heart", both mixes of "It's Alright", and "Bite My Lip." In "Lip", Eileen Shania tolerates...barely...unwelcome advances from the boss, then her boyfriend cancelling on their dinner date.

One fairly big omission in the liner notes: I caught 2 additional songs NOT written by Paul Sabu and Eileen Regina Lange. "For the Love" is a remake of the late Bobbi Martin's 1970 hit "For the Love of Him" and was written by Martin and Al Mortimer. "Half-Breed" (yes, the Cher song) was written by Al Capps and Mary Dean. Just trying to give credit where credit is due, that's me...

Nice surprise. Nice price. Recommended.