A Body of Work

Given the most confusing title for an album of newly recorded material since 's , , despite a name that makes it sound like a compilation, is actually the 's first new U.S. release since in 1983. Following the international success of 1996's Spanish-language duets album tries a little of everything in an attempt to regain a foothold at home. There are newly written songs, notably the unabashedly devotional adult love ballad that opens the record. There are celebrity guest stars -- , and turn up to one extent or another. And there are remakes of hits penned by with the singers who made them famous: he duets with a living on and with a 1968 tape of For this high-profile effort, has called in both king and ( ) as producers, though their efforts are relatively restrained. In fact, despite the celebrity firepower, the whole album is really a set of low-key that sings emotionally, whether the mood is happy or sad. It's a respectable return-to-action for a veteran who remains vital, even if it was not a commercial return-to-form. ~ William Ruhlmann