Rarities, B-Sides, and Other Stuff Volume 2 - Sarah MccLachlan

Haunting ramblings from the Canadian singer.


Compilations can really highlight some of the different approaches artists take when trying to capitalise on an extensive catalogue.

Sarah McLachlan's Rarities, B-sides and Other Stuff Volume 2 is exactly that, a collection of live tracks and rare material including covers and (as with Volume 1) songs she has done for films.

The songs range from a reworking of the prayer of St Francis to a duet with Emmylou Harris on Angel.

Her reworking of Joni Mitchell's River is beautiful, but now pales in comparison to what Herbie Hancock did with Corinne Bailey Rae on River: The Joni Letters .

The DJ Tiësto remix of Silence is completely unnecessary. McLachlan did the guest tracks on the song for Delerium and Michael Woods' remix is a chillout standard. DJ Tiësto has simply turned Delerium's version into a doef-doef nightmare.

Other than that little faux pas, which isn't really her fault, the songs are an excellent showcase for her haunting lyricism.

Fans will grab this offering with both hands and non-fans will be converted.