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Dina first charted as lead vocalist on the 1991 Quartz hit 'It's Too Late'... 'Don't Be A Stranger' is her 6th solo hit in the last 18 months and became the soul singer's biggest success yet when it entered the Top 10 on 17th October '93.It might look like an exaggeration, but this really was the sixth hit single from her debut album, and the eighth if you include the two Quartz hits she sang on. By the end of 1993 she'd managed yet another hit with 'The Perfect Year', although it took three years for any more new material to emerge and her career seems never to have recovered. 'Don't Be A Stranger' is a big ballad to end all big ballads, with extra orchestral parts ladled on for this single version. In subject matter, it's not a million miles from 'Miss You Nights' by Cliff Richard, and whilst it's not quite that good it works pretty well, Carroll being a capable singer and wisely not overegging the song - after all, the protagonist is obviously lacking in self-confidence, hence the desparation to be welcomed and accepted by somebody, even for the wrong reason. It wouldn't make sense to be bellowing about that. For me, it's just a pity the music feels a little too tame and doesn't quite have that extra flourish that would make it more memorable.
Also appearing on: Now 24, 27, 35, 43
Available on: The World's Greatest Ballads
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