From what I've seen, record labels typically do this when an artist transfers to a new label. It is most likely a contractual thing, as well, but the two examples I can name off the top of my head are Trisha Yearwood and Reba. Each artist received a "greatest hits" package as a "send-off." It's also a way for the old label to try and compete for some sales with the new label...after all, any of Martina's RCA CDs can still be sold and can still gain some money for RCA, so if they can get one more release this way it's a good way for them to do it. My hunch is that this is much like Trisha's final greatest hits album for MCA...the new songs are most likely songs that Martina recorded years ago for consideration on former albums, but they never made the final cut, and now RCA is digging them out of the vault to spice up this collection. For me, it will work...I will pick this set up so that I can get the new material. The final three songs are all new to me, so I'll be happy to get those. :) I wish that Reba's "50 Greatest Hits" album had features some unreleased tracks from the MCA days, but it only featured the 50 songs. It's a terrific collection, but I didn't buy it because I already had all the songs.

RCA will repackage Martina for years to come. I don't blame them, I would too.
Ronnie Gee

Awesome, thanks so much for the tip! I can definitely tell they are older recordings, but they sound great! I've just pre-ordered my copy, this will be worth it for the new songs alone! However, for the car, I'll enjoy having all twenty of these songs on one disc! :)

Ok, I would have taken all of Martina's released singles (whether or not they were successful on the charts) and put them on there! This is my list.

THE TIME HAS COME , CHEAP WHISKEY, THAT'S ME, MY BABY LOVES ME, LIFE #9, INDEPENDENCE DAY, SAFE IN THE ARMS OF LOVE, WILD ANGELS, SWINGIN' DOORS, A BROKEN WING, VALENTINE, HAPPY GIRL, WRONG AGAIN, WHATEVER YOU SAY, I LOVE YOU, LOVE'S THE ONLY HOUSE, THERE YOU ARE, WHEN GOD FEARIN' WOMEN GET THE BLUES, BLESSED, WHERE WOULD YOU BE, CONCRETE ANGEL, THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS, IN MY DAUGHTER'S EYES, HOW FAR, TRIP AROUND THE SUN (WITH JIMMY BUFFETT), ANYWAY, RIDE.

Of course, they'd have to split this up into 2 discs, but they can easily do that.......