Acting Up [Import]

Marlena Shaw | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony Japan
• ASIN: B00005R6IH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,299,089 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Japanese exclusive reissue for the jazz artist, the first female vocalist signed to Blue Note Records. Originally issued on CBS in 1978.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Marlena Shaw Album--I love her!, July 9, 2006

By 

Christopher Morley (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acting Up (Audio CD)

I was hooked on Marlena Shaw the first time I heard her rendition of 'Go Away Little Boy' from her 'Sweet Beginnings' album. Her poem on the album cover of 'Acting Up' says it all: "Acting Up. When you express yourself with vivid words and colors, they say you're Acting Up. When you dare to be different from the way someone imagines you to be, they say you're Acting Up. Then Getting down Getting up Showing off Showing up Is when you fill your space with good thoughts of the you you want to be. Yes, I'm acting up." I have lived by this mantra. Marlena is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Discover her.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ~Mesmerizing vocal masterpiece~Bravo Marlena!!!, January 22, 2006

By 

Bradly Briggs (TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acting Up (Audio CD)

Marlena Shaw went to the studio for "Acting Up" giving her all, from the great loose funky opener "More", clearly this tremendous collection features a magnificent singer in peerless form in every way imaginable. Exotic tranquility hypnotizes in the gorgeous "Moonrise", featuring a glorious vocal and by now anyone who appreciates a great singer in a sublime setting will wonder why this "Grammy Award" worthy set did not make Marlena Shaw a major Superstar...radio & the music industry clearly blew it big-time and Marlena is truly an "Unsung" legendary singer who is deserving of acclaim and wider exposure with such a commanding body of work that extends decades!
Hot rhythm cookers such as the sensuous "Rhythm Of Love" would have been a #1 Hit with any radio exposure at all but in the late 70's this masterpiece filled with great songs was sadly not programmed on any radio stations yet filled with potential chart-toppers. Dreamy and romantic bliss is expressed beautifully in the melodic "Places" while the deeply soulful and riveting "I Wonder" ("I wonder if you'll be the one to go on with me to the very end...can't help it, I Wonder") is an incredibly great and moving vocal defining what great singing is all about...should have been given a "Grammy Award" but guess the Music Industry was too busy at Discos like Studio 54 and missed out on this brilliant tour-de-force completely..."I Wonder" is beautifully framed by a fascinating sophisicated yet loose funky arrangement with interesting tempo changes surrounding a stellar all over the map vocal that smolders with burning intensity demanding repeated over and over play..."You Bring Out The Best In Me" celebrates a satisfying new found love in sophisicated high style and the hypnotic and beautifully romantic "Dreamin" is simply gorgeous and richly dramatic. A stunning "I'm Back For More" has a number of versions but none come close to this amazing killer version with a wondrous arrangement and unbelievably great passionate vocal that burns with fiery intensity...BRAVO to this genius of a singer who is clearly original and one of the all time greatest! A gospel styled tour-de-force "Mamma Tried" blows the mind with raw soulfulness featuring just Marlene's magnificent voice and piano...stunning and riveting!
Closing this remarkable collection of timeless performances is a haunting and stirring classic from "Looking For Mr. Goodbar" and "Don't Ask To Stay Until Tomorrow" is a performance so fine and smooth that by now it is clear Marlene Shaw is as good as great singing gets...Bravo Marlene!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious remaster of classic Shaw, May 14, 2011

By 

barry (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Acting Up (Audio CD)

Marlena Shaw is one of those artists who is so versatile and so talented that it is hard to categorize her. It always stoped her albums from achieving the success they deserved. And an album from Marlena Shaw was and is always a great gift. In the 70s she did three albums with Columbia and this one ACTING UP was the second after the succesful SWEET BEGINNINGS. ACTING UP is probably more of a pop tinged album for Shaw but her vocals, range and passion come from a true jazz and r@b style so that is what you always get. And thanks for that. Marlena's voice is very unique with a quality and style truly unique to her. When you hear Marlena Shaw you know it is her. The opening track here is a perfect example. MORE starts out like an uptempo pop song and as it grows it becomes more soul and ends with a tour de force gospel burst. Amazing vocals. I WONDER and MOONRISE are truly romantic soulful jams where she uses her range and soars effortlessly over each note with heartfelt emotion. RHYTHM OF LOVE, I'M BACK FOR MORE and PLACES are true r@b songs and she sinks her teeth in.

With Marlena Shaw the orchestration is always great but her vocals are so strong and powerful that that is all you are drawn to. She takes any song and adds her unique inbred style of jazz, soul and gospel to it. She is a rare artist. Her vocal ease is a natural gift and singing seems to be just another form of expression for her. Each song here is a true expression of passion. Her jazz stylings class everything up and her gospel roots always come through especially on the great MAMMA TRIED. The haunting sensual DON'T ASK TO STAY UNTIL TOMORROW from the movie LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR fits in perfectly with this whole set.

If you don't know Marlena Shaw then you must. For any r@b,jazz or soul fan the vocals of this hugely talented woman are a discovery that must be had. This set shows all sides of Marlena Shaw and as an end result is a perfect display for her versatility and exsquite talent. BBR again does their magic as well. We get 2 bonus tracks, extensive liner notes the perfect remastering that one now expects from BBR. Highly recommended.