Soul Music

[snarkyfish]

I heard that the Eric Roberson album from last year was good. Anyone here have it who can offer an opinion?

[gloworm]

I LOVE Eric Roberson.

Both his cd's are great. He's got this "average guy soul" thing going on. Plus he's so nice, and down to earth, and dreamy [/fangirl off]

You can order his cds from his website. He personally mails them out!

I hope he puts out a live cd soon. His live show was just amazing. I think he said somewhere on his message boards that a new cd should be out later this year.

[snarkyfish]

I think he said somewhere on his message boards that a new cd should be out later this year.

Whoopee doo! See I'm catching up with the buzz on this dude only now. Everyone who is in the know has told me they loved his album last year. But thanks Gloworm. I'm definately going to check out this album. And the previous one now that I know there was more than just one.

[soul]

I just saw Janet Jackson recently. Boy, is her face getting bloated. Saw her concert, and naturally, the music drowned her thin voice.

She was like an aroebics instructor with all that dancing, pointing, and lipsynching.

[keepittight]

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I've just bought Teedra Moses' album, Complex Simplicity. She has a lovely voice, really soft with no showboating. I thought the album was a bit samey tune wise but I think she is definitely one to watch. Anyone agree?

Now this? Is an amazing CD. If you go to the BBC 1Xtra side there's a Teedra live set she did for them and her voice is if anything better than on record. THIS is the kind of artist R&B needs at the moment, people. I love every single song on Complex Simplicity (and I mean LOVE), except the terrible You Better Tell Her. The gorgeous, sexy, swoon of Be Your Girl, the melancholy optimism of No More Tears, the lilting, lovely Take Me, the sassy, celebratory Caution and the anthemic title track are probably my favourites. Teedra is my girl and her debut is a classic of it's genre to file alongside CrazySexyCool, Aaliyah and Kaleidoscope.

This may be blasphemous but Jill Scott's latest CD didn't do much for me. It was alright but I was expecting fireworks after the near flawless Who Is Jill Scott? (one of my all time favourites). Indeed, some of it was just bland and unmemorable (Spring Summer Feeling or whatever it was called, and Family Reunion come to mind).

On a more positive note, I worship Amy Winehouse. Anyone who claims to love soul needs her debut Frank in their collection. Her songwriting in particular is just phenomenal. She's also an extremely entertaining individual judging from interviews- which comes across in her music. Like all the best soul, her CD is like a person on a disc.

My favourite ever soul singer, however, is Candi Staton. Her voice speaks to me like no other.

[gloworm]

This may be blasphemous but Jill Scott's latest CD didn't do much for me. It was alright but I was expecting fireworks after the near flawless Who Is Jill Scott? (one of my all time favourites). Indeed, some of it was just bland and unmemorable (Spring Summer Feeling or whatever it was called, and Family Reunion come to mind).

I completely agree. I don't know if marriage made her happy and complacent or what it is. The CD is boring. I think there's about 3.5 songs I like. There doesn't really seem to be too much fire behind the songs. She's just....so...happy and content. Which is nice...kinda.

On a more positive note, I worship Amy Winehouse. Anyone who claims to love soul needs her debut Frank in their collection. Her songwriting in particular is just phenomenal. She's also an extremely entertaining individual judging from interviews- which comes across in her music. Like all the best soul, her CD is like a person on a disc.

I just don't understand why this wasn't released in the States. It's too late now probably...because anyone interested in it has bootlegged and worn it out by now (*raises hand*)
Is she working on some new material? I have about 6 extra songs not on the CD...but we need more Amy!

[soul]

My favourite ever soul singer, however, is Candi Staton. Her voice speaks to me like no other.

Oh, my stars!!! Get out of here. Not too many people know about that.

She kind of remind me of Tammy Terrell.

I like her song, "Young Hearts", but that's was her later stuff; I liked her even more with her back in the day, less husky stuff.

Don't get me wrong I like to hear a husky/sexy voice, but Candi had such a distinct sound before the huskiness arrived.

I'm thinking she sung, "Trapped in a thing called love?" One of my favorites.

[gloworm]

Leela James, y'all. I was listening to snippetts on iTunes (and then obtained found a downloadable copy).
Amazing, gritty voice. The female answer to Anthony Hamilton (vocally wise).
Problems with the CD: too many songs/interludes. A few misfires. Wyclef is on it. Overall it's a good listen. I'll be buying it next week.

Also: I don't know if Lizz Wright fits in this thread. I think so. Her new cd "Dreaming Wide Awake" is out. If you liked "Salt"...you may not like this one. It's very acoustic, folksy, country sounding. The seductive warmth of "Salt" really isn't there on this one. I hope this isn't a "Norah-ization" for Lizz Wright. I like about 3.5 songs on it.

[gloworm]

I recently heard a Leela James interview on BBC radio and some of her music was played throughout the show. I couldn't get with it. She has a local club band sound and seems like somebody I would probably listen to on that level, but from what I've heard so far I don't think I'll be opening up my wallet for her.

Probably a wise decision.

After a various spins, I think Leela James has an excellent CD in her somewhere....but this one isn't it.

And if you name your Cd "a change is gonna come"....
And if your first song on said CD is about the lack of quality music out now...
And if you pack such an excellent voice...

....then you really need to come correct with your musical outing.

As I said earlier...too many interludes, a few songs go nowhere, "lets get married" could have been a full song, Wyclef/'Ghetto"....ugh

[soul]

Right now, I'm listening to the "lost recording" of Anthony Hamilton. This one preceeded his recent one with "Where I Come From".

It's decent; I really like "I Cry". On "Georgie Parker", he sounds like a male Tracy Chapman.

Overall, the album has a good vibe, but it is not as good as his "debut" album.