Customer Reviews

All the Love

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I hope that this CD gets a lot of airplay and a wide audience gets to hear it because this is an excellent CD. In this age of hip-hop influenced R & B, it's great to hear a good old fashioned soul sound with a little jazz thown in for good measure.Oleta Adams, in my opinion, has never gotten the praise that she deserves. If she doesn't get it after this classic, she never will. This CD is so good that it could pass for a greatest hits CD on it's own. So, if you're into traditional soul/R&B, you can't miss with this CD. Oleta's songwriting and voice has never been better. Toni Braxton and Jennifer Lopez take note....this is how it's done!

Excepting her successful debut, 1990's "Circle Of One," this gifted singer/songwriter/pianist's records have never garnered the attention and sales that her remarkably supple voice and poised delivery would command in an entirely just world. This Monarch Records import distributed by BMG Netherlands represents her first full-length collection of new material since '97's gospel release "Come Walk With Me," and her first foray into secular songs since '95's dismal "Moving On." While it offers a significant advance on the latter, those who have awaited the next great Oleta Adams CD (and she has never lacked a modest but devoted following) will have to extend their patience.

More than on previous releases, Adams, whether in her capacity as a songwriter or an interpreter of outside material, here attempts to integrate her longstanding twin themes: expressions of religious devotion ("In The Beginning") and snapshots of intimate relationships in transition ("Love Was Spoken Here"; the self-penned "Bump In The Road" and "Learning To Love You More," the latter song openly identified as an olive branch to her sister). In some cases, the line becomes blurred -- the words could be addressed to a lover, a friend, or a higher power. Most of the album is given over to big, glossy, anthemic ballads of the kind one might hear on an Academy Awards telecast, but Adams is never less than committed in belting them out, and the very best of them (specifically "I Can't Live A Day Without You," with its elegantly turned lyric and soaring chorus, which gives the album an early peak) are sturdy examples of their genre. The production throughout is "tasteful," e.g., mellow, soft-edged, and determinedly midtempo, which keeps Adams's funkier side (see "Rhythm of Life" from her first album, or "Easier To Say Goodbye" from her second) tucked away for the duration. Only the opener, "Sweet Side Of Life," offers even a hint of R&B grit, and it stops at the hint.

The set concludes with another Adams composition, "Just Before I Go To Sleep," this one a wary but guardedly optimistic prayer for strength, patience, and a better world, on which the singer's vocal arches from gentle plea to fiery vow and back again, backed only by her own pensive piano accompaniment. It is a performance of surpassing loveliness, and it helps seal the view that while newcomers to Adams would be better served by Mercury's excellent best-of compilation or one of her first two albums ("Circle of One" or '93's wondrous "Evolution"), devotees will find much to enjoy here, even at the steep import price. One hopes a major label soon gives this artist the commitment (and the attendant promotion) she deserves.

OLETA ADAMS: ALL THE LOVE:  It is so refreshing to finally hear the melifluous tones of underrated, yet self-contained artist such as Oleta Adams. This classically trained pianist/vocalist who has finally released a wonderful new CD, entitled, "ALL THE LOVE," currently only released in Holland.  

This CD has an underlying spiritual theme resonating throughout in relation to all aspects of life: love, family and  faith, starting out with "Sweet Side Of Life", a mid-to-uptempo song of inspiration aimed at women.  It speaks from the perspective of a single mother struggling to raise a child while all of her friends and peers are prospering.  The title track is an immediately catchy song and is one of Oleta's self-composed opuses on this project.  Other Adams compositions include "Bump In The Road"; the beautiful ballad "Learning To Love You More;" "The Power Of Sacrifice" which has a highly percussive undercurrent

reminisnent of  songs on the "Circle Of One" album.  This song is about true love ....real true love.  Listen to the lyric!  "In The Beginning" and "I Can't Live A Day Without You" continue from where her last CD, "Come Walk With Me" left off.  Contemporary Gospel at its best!    Hopeless romantics will love  "Just Before I Go To Sleep" (my personal favorite).  Without a doubt, this project is just what the listening public needs right now: meaningful lyrics, moving melodies, real musicians and a talented vocalist who can move you to tears.

I just can't express all the emotions this CD brings to me. Oleta is very underrated. After hearing "The Power of Sacrifice" on the radio, I immediately went to Amazon.com, but hearing her sing "I Hope You Dance," "All The Love," and "Look What Love Has Done" I just put my hands on my chest and mellow out. I can play this CD over and over. I hope she never stops putting the words to the songs on her CD covers, they are soooo beautiful. She sings about romance, faith in a higher power, breaking up, single parenthood and rivalry. If you ever get a chance to see her in person, DON'T MISS IT! I recently saw her at Ramshead Tavern in Annapolis MD. I could have listened to her new and old music all night. She has a powerful voice that is so gentle and controlled. She loves to sing, you can just see it in her actions and movements, in the words of the songs. She will always be my favorite female vocalist!!

I cannot say enough good things about this CD. Oleta Adams' voice is one of a kind. This album has R&B, Gospel and Blues. I just want to sit and listen over and over. My favorite is "I can live a day without you". The 1st time I heard it I wanted to cry. The cut, "Just before I go to sleep" can give anyone a sense of peace. I also liked her rendition of "I hope you dance". This is truly an album for adults. This album will be played long after all the hip hop has dropped by the wayside. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of hip hop, but I am a connoisseur of music that will still be listened to for years to come. BUY THIS ALBUM!!!

I have never been so affected by an album like Oleta's "All the Love". Every single song on it is amazing. Oleta's voice and soul/r style is my definition of music, and i also discovered how great a song writer she is. The tracks "just before i go to sleep" and "all the love" are masterpieces that left me staring at my CD player in amazement.
This album is for adults and i hope that as i get more out of step with the hip-hop and other youthful genres, Ms Adams shall continue to provide us with great albums to enjoy.

It was worth the wait. Finally a new Oleta Adams album.
With a voice like that, there is no bad song. Soulfull uptempo songs, beautifull ballads, it's all there. Great arrangements and wonderfull lyrics. Only one thing tops this album. Seeing Oleta live!

There's no denying she has a spectacular voice -- and for that alone the CD is worth hearing and rated a more generous 3 stars -- but the material is just OK (with better highlights including "I Hope You Dance" and "I Can't Live A Day Without You",) and the production is so routine and at times awful. Where's the great producer for this great talent? Oleta Adams deserves better than treading this treacly water.

when i played the first track on this cd, it felt like coming home to what feels good! i am continually inspired by her vocal range and depth,shown so beautifully in 'Bump In The Road'. i knew which songs she had penned even before reading the album cover. This is one lady who is overlooked. she has longevity and those of us who are fans of her style and musical credentials will keep on feeling 'all the love' from her music.
buy this album and you will not be dissapointed!!

It is very rare thay I buy an album and love every track. Oleta Adams has done it again...her voice, music, lyrics move me to tears. She does not get the recognition she truly deserves. She really is magical...

Thanks Oleta!