Various: Simply the Best Songwriters

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * * * )

Intelligent 40-track double disc collection of singular songs by the likes of Tracy Chapman (Baby Can I Hold You), David Gray (Babylon), Chris Isaak (Wicked Game), Nick Drake (Time Has Told Me), the father and son Buckleys, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, and so on. And yes Dylan, Patti Smith and Randy Newman are here, too. It's certainly also a catholic selection, with Bill Withers (Ain't No Sunshine), Jewel (Hands), Badly Drawn Boy (The Shining) and Michelle Shocked (Anchorage) following one after another. So if you ever wanted Rod Stewart's Mandolin Wind, Nick Cave and Kylie's Where the Wild Roses Grow and Lou Reed's Perfect Day they are all here. A one-stop shop - although Alanis Morissette's redefining of Ironic still grates, even when it's unplugged.

Label: WEA