Midnight Records

Release Date: July 7th 2023

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Marcia Hines– Still Shining: The 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collection (JB Hi-Fi)

Track Listing:

1. Fire and Rain
2. From The Inside
3. Shining
4. Something’s Missing (In My Life)
5. I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself
6. What I Did For Love
7. You
8. Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees
9. Jokers and Queens (with Jon English)
10. Heart Like A Radio
11. Rain (Let The Children Play)
12. Time Of Our Lives
13. Rise
14. Stomp! (with Deni Hines)
15. Disco Inferno
16. Remedy (with Russell Crowe)
17. Amazing
18. Heartache
19. Last One Standing
20. Hard To Breathe

Marcia Hines, one of Australia’s most iconic pop/adult contemporary/singer-songwriters for a long, long while; has just celebrated 50 years in the music industry and in Australian entertainment. Think about that for a second. 50 years in the same industry. These days, would it even be possible or probable for any of us? a testament to the tenacity and determination of Marcia, her songwriting and her craft; her latest compilation album Still Shining: The 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collection recently released (only as a physical CD at JB Hi-Fi!), honouring her time in the spotlight and giving back to the fans. The second half of the year will be when Marcia tours around Australia in support of this album and her 50 year career.. but let’s briefly touch upon these 20 songs shall we?

I’m not that much of a fan per se of Marcia Hines. Her music though, is moving, encouraging and overall inspiring. Songs like “Fire and Rain”, “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself”, “You”, “Time Of Our Lives”, “Stomp!”, “Remedy”, and “Amazing”, are all powerful, legendary and hit songs from Marcia, and all are present here on this release. I first heard of Marcia through her being a judge on Australian Idol in the early 2000’s. At that time, I wasn’t listening much to mainstream music. But now, over the last few years, my musical tastes have broadened extremely. As such, this release reminds me of the genius of an artist like Marcia, and I can now admire and appreciate good music wherever it comes from. Classic songs are timeless, and a number of songs here are. No doubt we will be singing these for years and years on end; and Marcia will be spoken about with awe and wonder and praise in the history books.

I’m still not an avid fan of Marcia Hines. But over the years, I’ve grown to love a lot of what she has released- and Still Shining: The 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collection is no different. Despite the glaring omissions of “Until Your Love Broke Through”, “Never Knew Love Like This Before”, “Never Can Say Goodbye”, and covers of “What A Feeling”, “Everybody Hurts” and “The Living Years” (all of which should have bene present on the mere-20-track-list!); the final two new songs of “Last One Standing” and “Hard To Breathe” brings a smile to my face, as I celebrate Marcia’s career and look forward to what is next. The Gospel According To Marcia hasn’t had a wide release yet- will that be soon? Or will Marcia release the elusive Christmas album that many artists release before their career winds down? Or will she release more studio album and live albums and be like the Dolly Parton of Australia? Whatever the case, this compilation, though not perfect, skilfully, and proficiently describes a true-blue Australian icon, and I’m sure everyone, even casual fans of Marcia, will enjoy this vibrant and eclectic album. Well done, Marcia, I can’t wait to hear what’s next in store for you!

It’s important to listen to the advice that you receive Only when people mean you well though. Everybody’s got an opinion but not all of them are cut out for you. You’ve just got to stay strong and believe what it is you want to do as a musician. Always take advice from people who mean you well, that’s my motto and I still do that too.

[Australian Idol] was really cool because music is a great expression and to me all the kids were doing was expressing themselves. I was sure that when I was young my mother would scratch her head at the music I would play and she would say ‘what the hell’. But I’m not allowed to do that as a musician because it’s an expression and I’m still expressing myself.

6 songs to listen to: Fire and Rain, I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself, You, Time Of Our Lives, Amazing Last One Standing

Score: 4.5/5

RIYL: John Farnham, Olivia Newton John, INXS, Tina Arena, Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem, Missy Higgins, Vanessa Amorosi