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This album marks my first exposure to Alison Krauss and her music. One of my sisters had this disc and it was always in one of the bathrooms at my parents' house. I'd see it all the time and one day, I just decided to listen to it. I put it in and when I heard the first tune, I was completely hooked. Her angelic voice, delicate delivery and sentiment just swept me up. Maybe I was in love at the time or infatuated or whatever, but that song made perfect sense to me. The other songs on the cd don't affect me as dramatically as the first one. 'Baby, Now That I've Found You' came along at just the right time.
I got a copy of this disc and over time I picked out other songs that became favorites. I'm drawn to different tunes as I mature. I've found myself singing along loudly to 'Oh, Atlanta' from time to time; and although I hated it when I heard Keith Whitley sing it, I love Alison's version of 'When You Say Nothing At All'.
She is a rare performer for someone like me. I almost never follow bands or artists based on singing ability or the sound of their voice. I certainly enjoy unique sounding vocalists, but I'm rarely prompted to buy something just because someone is singing it. I'm more into song writers, musicians and stuff like that. Yet, here I am listening to Alison for all the reasons I normally avoid singers.
I'm not partial to her earlier material. She was slack-jowled yokel yodeling when she first started out. But over time, she pulled a Sade and her singing style found footing. She's moved away from shrill vocalizing and made her home in the warmth, comfort and healing touch of a songbird's song. It's steady, strong, rising and falling, but always delicate and fragile. She has a voice that emotes.
I think this record is a double whammy of sorts. It certainly contains older material that is cringe-worthy. But it simultaneously showcases some of her lovelier numbers. I've grown to love more songs over time, but there are still a couple I manage to avoid every time I put this disc in to play. It doesn't change the fact I love her and her voice. My final words: SPOTTY, BUT WORTH THE PURCHASE.
ALISON KRAUSS - NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU A COLLECTION
01. Baby, Now That I've Found You
02. Oh, Atlanta
03. Broadway
04. Every Time You Say Goodbye
05. Tonight I'll Be Lonely Too
06. Teardrops Will Kiss The Morning Dew
07. Sleep On
08. When God Dips His Pen Of Love In My Heart
09. I Will
10. I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby
11. In The Palm Of Your Hand
12. When You Say Nothing At All
It would be fair to say "Purple Rain" was how I discovered music. Or more accurate, how I became passionate about music. It was different from anything I'd ever heard before and the sounds resonated in my very soul. Some people see God in nature, while others see it in man made structures. Some people hear heaven in a Mozart concerto, while others hear it in simple folk music or jazz. I heard it in the electronic funk rock of the Minneapolis sound. Of course my tastes have expanded greatly since then, but I will always remember these first bands I felt passionate about.
For those of you not in the know, The Time are a band formed in the 80s, in Minneapolis, by Prince who used the group as a vehicle to make more of his music available. He had various relationships with the individual members and they have all gone on to have careers beyond the Prince influence. Some more successful than others.
Still, you can't hold Prince fully responsible for the success of The Time. Sure he wrote some great tunes for them and they still play his stuff today. But It's the characters played by the band members that make the group truly memorable.
Morris Day struts around the stage like a peacock preening for a mate. He flashes his feathers, well in his case it's expensive jewelry, fancy clothes and his Stacy Adams... His onstage antics with Jerome and the cool demeanor of the zoot suit dressed band all culminate into a tight, satisfying live act.
As for this album... Two songs appear in the Motion Picture, "Purple Rain". The other tracks are musical numbers written to further the mythology and reputation of the band and its girl chasing leader. Unlike previous Time records based heavily in funk, this disc starts off with 'Ice Cream Castles' a number you can hardly call an old school funk effort. It's got an incredible beat, a nice melody and is catchy as all hell, but it doesn't have that funk/bass bottom to drop into. Everything happens on the surface of the song, much like icing on a cake. I've heard rehearsals of the tune where the band really work the crap out of it, but here it kinda meanders along. That's not a bad thing. It's enjoyable and satisfying. But it's not exactly what you've come to expect from The Time.
It's followed by 'My Drawers'. This number is more traditional funk. It's infectious and hard not to move too. The Minneapolis sound is all over this number as well as a nod to R&B Godfather, James Brown.
"U better find a brand new bag,
Cause this is my drawers"
'Chili Sauce' is a feature length segue. The song, or should I say seduction piece, features a dinner date between Morris and young woman he attempts to seduce. The conversation is quite humorous and features Prince disguising his voice as the waiter. The track also features Jerome Benton as Morris' sidekick and comedic foil.
If this were a vinyl record or cassette tape, those three songs would encompass the first side, while the second side contains the music most people are familiar with. Starting with 'Jungle Love', borrowing a chant from "The Wizard Of Oz", the 2nd side kicks in with a funky fever. There's very little I can say about the two tracks on this side appearing in the "Purple Rain" movie. They've been discussed to death. Needless to say, they are classic funk tracks and will go down in history as two of the biggest hits of the 80s. 'Jungle Love' fared better than 'The Bird' on the charts, but the tunes are equally funky and oh so much fun. The middle track, a slow paced song called, 'If The Kid Can't Make You Come' is an odd piece. First of all, I never understood why it was in the record. In the movie, Prince plays the part of Morris' arch rival. He is called, The Kid. And in the song, Morris sings,
"If the kid can't make you come
Nobody can"
Suggesting the kid is the ultimate. But how can that be if they're enemies? It closes with a woman in the throes of orgasm pledging her allegiance to The Time like they were an American Flag. It's funny and quirky, but what really makes this track worth hearing are the surprising musical changes that happen throughout. The background music acts effectively as a collage of sound creating a picture of the moment. You can see it all happening in your mind. Successful composers are fortunate to create a mindscape like this when they score for a film. Prince and The Time do it here without the company of a film.
Ultimately, The Time will always be an 80s favorite. I even like the stuff they're doing now. If you haven't treated yourself to this offshoot group, you should check it out. I know it's worth it. While listening in the truck the other day, I jammed it loud. It's holding up quite well for an almost thirty year old piece of music. My final word: PERFECT COMPANION PIECE TO PURPLE RAIN AND GREAT ON ITS OWN AS WELL!
THE TIME - ICE CREAM CASTLE
01. Ice Cream Castles
02. My Drawers
03. Chili Sauce
04. Jungle Love
05. If The Kid Can't Make You Come
06. The Bird
I discovered Enya almost by chance. Of course now she's a household name. But back when this groundbreaking album came out, she was still a nobody. I used to troll music video programs on TV to find new groups. I remember seeing the video for 'Orinoco Flow'. It reminded me of the music I'd heard on a movie I'd recently fell in love with. The movie was "I've Heard The Mermaids Singing" and all of a sudden, a chord was struck. I bought the cassette on the same day I picked up the spoken word poetry and music cassette from the "Beauty And The Beast" television series as performed by Ron Perlman. Both cassettes were completely enchanting. They swept me away. Even now, years later when I listen to this disc, I can hear the lines of poetry by Rilke, Shakespear and Wordsworth...
From the opening piano of 'Watermark', you get a sense something important is happening. At this point in time, Enya was discovering a sound uniquely her own. The expansive potential showcased in this release promises something Enya never delivered. Like many artists, once she found a successful style, she continued to emulate it over and over again on subsequent releases. On this record, though, she touches on so many classical, operatic and symphonic material, one could believe they were witnessing the birth of the modern age of classical music. 'Cursam Perficio' has all the tension and force of a Faustian Opera. She vocally stomps across the tense music, swelling up and down notes like oceans sweeping across beaches.
After the build and ebb of that, 'On Your Shore' sounds as sweet and lovely as a bonny young Irish lass singing a haunting love song for her parted betrothed. 'Storms In Africa' is my favorite track on this album. It has a deep sound and the tolling bell is a brilliant addition to the track. There's some heavy sounding percussion on this track. Although probably not the most accessible of the album's numbers, it's still compelling. Other mentionable tracks include the single, 'Orinoco Flow' and 'When The Evening Falls...'. You can listen to this record all the way through and it will move from one magical moment to the next.
Still, it sets a precedent she was never able to capitalize on. She never became the amalgam of sound other artists have achieved. You hear bits and pieces of musical styles, but they're never fully incorporated in a truly innovative way. She has created a recipe for beauty in her music, but I feel like she's never moved beyond it.
This will forever be my favorite Enya CD. And I will continue to buy her music because I do enjoy it. It's lovely and wonderful. You can play it anywhere and let it go. In film scores and scenes, her sound evokes emotional response. But this particular disc has so many memories tied up in it, I can't avoid an emotional attachment. And I suspect, record sales and the opinion of most people will agree with me. My final word: AN 80'S CLASSIC!
ENYA - WATERMARK
01. Watermark
02. Cursum Perficio
03. On Your Shore
04. Storms In Africa
05. Exile
06. Miss Clare Remembers
07. Orinoco Flow
08. Evening Falls...
09. River
10. The Long Ships
11. Na Laetha geal M'oige
12. Storms In Africa II
"Come 2 My House" is Chaka Khan's one and only release on NPG Records. Her relationship with Prince has been evident since she covered 'I Feel For You' from Prince's "Prince" album. If he wasn't acquainted with her before then, he certainly was after. Chaka Khan comes from that group of R&B/Funk bands Prince was hugely inspired by; so it's no wonder he returned her interest. A couple years later, he gave her some tracks on her new record and when he was promoting NPG Records, she was one of the first artists he embraced with his new found freedom.
I could go on for hours about the relationship from my point of view, but let's focus instead on what really matters... The music. This disc is an interesting blend of just about every style of music Prince is known for. From funk, to hip hop; pop to soul; gospel to jazz; the ground work is laid down with smart arrangements and flawless production styling. From the opening track, you get the impression this disc is going to be something truly interesting and unique. 'Come 2 My House' is a breezy flowing tune with laid back vocals and a mellow vibe. Even though there's a minor chord progression happening, the song is wrought with anticipation and seduction. Chaka invites the listener into her private world for an intimate experience. She promises a relaxing mood, a soothing sound and the chance to play into a climax unlike any you've ever experienced before. And play she does.
Old Prince collaborator Clare Fischer sweeps in with an orchestral segue between the opening track and 'This Crazy Life Of Mine'. Although written by Prince, it seems like an autobiographical number painting a picture of Chaka's childhood and what drew her to singing as a career. This ballad includes some orchestration from Fischer and not the most interesting or progressive number in the pack, it still holds up compared to other songs in a similar vein. 'Betcha n' is the first number to give you an idea what's really happening on this record. It kicks in with a wicked beat and never really lets you go. Chaka's vocals are highly animated and showcase her versatility. No doubt, one of the stronger numbers here. It's followed up by the equally impressive 'Spoon'. It's also the first non-prince composition on the disc. The beat is provocative and the lyrics are absolutely stunning. "You are just like my favorite spoon, cause you stir me up"... Could you think of a sexier compliment to give a lover?
Queen Latifah guests on 'Pop My Clutch'; another tense funk number that really grinds gears as it rocks your speakers. There's some punctuated horn playing giving the song a hint of jazz. When Latifah starts rapping, the horns become more prominent and a piano is heard up front and center in the mix. It's an exciting blend and the blending of rap, jazz and funk is awe inspiring. The next track is another number I'm excited about. 'Journey 2 The Center Of Your ♥' was an outtake I'd heard many times before, but never with such excellent sound quality. It's one of my favorite Prince songs and although I'd much rather hear him singing it, Khan delivers a powerful but faithful rendition. It's hardly worth scoffing at.
'n'll Never B Another Fool' features a deep bass and rocking rhythm guitar over a heavy drum beat and some improvisational vocalization from Khan. She really cuts loose with this one. Not only are the lyrics different and unusual, they're shocking without being naughty. The song deals with a woman finally facing the truth about her unfaithful lover and vowing never to let herself be used again. 'Democrazy' is a straight up pop effort criticizing government and the illusion of freedom in democracy. Those who listened to Prince at the time and since are well aware of his Jehovah's Witness inspired dislike of government. Surprisingly, it's actually a great tune and the music is really enjoyable. It's the sort of pop Prince rarely makes so when it happens, it's usually fun. The next number is positively heavenly. It's all about recognizing something in someone you've never met before. It's the whole, "Love-at-first-sight" theme but with some pre-existential religion just to make a point. She likens this kind of love to the kind of love a baby feels from its mother. It's just natural and present.
'Reconsider (U Betta)' is another funky number featuring typical Prince lyrics and music. It's got an incredible mid tempo beat and is common for Prince compositions from the mid-90's when he was flirting with some of the changes in Hip Hop sounds. He tried to incorporate it into his sound with varying degrees of success. This song is an example of one that turned out good. It's followed by 'Don't Talk 2 Strangers'; which was originally intended for the "I'll Do Anything" soundtrack. Prince's version has been floating around with collectors for years and he eventually released a version on the "Girl 6" soundtrack. Chaka's version is virtually identical to Prince's except hearing her sing these lines sounds more sincere. She identifies with the tune much more than Prince does.
The record is rounded out by the other two non-Prince compositions, 'Hair' (a cover of Larry Graham's song) and 'The Drama'. Both of the tracks are excellent and take the record out on a high note. They're both extremely enjoyable, with 'Hair' starting off almost on a psychedelic note. 'The Drama' has a deep and heavy drum track with Chaka once again demonstrating some amazing control and range. By the time the CD is over, you're ready for it to start again. Of the three discs NPG Records released that year, this was easily my favorite. Something about the blend between Chaka Khan and Prince just works. They connect and work very well together. I'd love to hear more. Sadly, there's no telling if it will ever happen.
All in all, this is one of the strongest Chaka Khan records to date. It's also one of the strongest side projects Prince has ever produced. It has all the elements you love of both artists and so much more. If you own it, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, I suggest you find it before it becomes extinct. It's worth the money. My final words: I CAME, I LISTENED, I STAYED FOR MORE. IN FACT, I WANNA MOVE IN.
CHAKA KHAN - COME 2 MY HOUSE
01. Come 2 My House
02. (Intro)
03. This Crazy Life Of Mine
04. Betcha n
05. Spoon
06. Pop My Clutch
07. Journey 2 The Center Of Your ♥
08. n'll Never B Another Fool
09. Democrazy
10. n Remember U
11. Reconsider (U Betta)
12. Don't Talk 2 Strangers
13. Hair
14. The Drama
