Overview
The album was released on November 30, 1999, the same day as Women & Songs 3. The album chronicles 31 tracks from popular female artists which helped launch successful careers for those artists. This is also the first two-disc collection issued in the franchise.
Aretha Franklin, who makes another appearance on the later Beginnings album, shows up here with her classic Respect. Bette Midler also appears singing The Rose from the soundtrack for the movie of the same name. Also on the first disc is Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight & the Pips. Patsy Cline contributes Walkin' After Midnight while My Guy appears courtesy of Mary Wells. Etta James puts in an early appearance on the second disc with At Last, while two of the best tracks on the entire collection finish things off: first Dolly Parton with the heartwarming I Will Always Love You followed by the classic Judy Garland hit Over the Rainbow.
Read more about this topic: Women & Songs: Beginnings