Customer Reviews

Ally McBeal: For Once in My Life Featuring Vonda Shepard

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have enjoyed this CD so many times in the week since I bought it--it is so evocative of the overall feeling of "Ally McBeal". Robert Downey Jr's contributions make it very nostalgic in light of his subsequent problems.

I really like Vonda Shepard's soothing and polished voice, but have no problem with the addition of other singers - Al Green, Tina Turner, Anastacia, Barry White, and Downey - they only enhance her contributions.

I also liked the wide selection of songs on this CD---a nice variety of music and voices, well-balanced choices.

Shepard's duet "Chances Are" with Downey is so natural and unforced.....it is as if he just walked up to a mike and started singing with her. The Downey-Sting duet of "Every Breath You Take" is so well-blended that it is hard to tell where one voice leaves off and the other begins.

Good listening that will not disappoint.

This is the fourth CD of ally mcbeal, and it surely brings the best songs of the show, so far. Keeping the tradition of 3 excellent CDs previously released, "For once in my life" is a celebration of good songs and covers, from various artists. The great surprise in this CD is the collaboration of Robert Downey Jr, who has revelead himself as a good singer since the ally's christmas album. In this CD, he performs "Snake", written by him, "Chances are", in an emotional duet with vonda shepard and a very cool version of "every breath you take" featuring sting, who was a guest in the TV show. Besides that, you can find the wonderful vonda shepard in different tracks. In this collection, the producers finally included 2 of the most significant tunes from ally mc beal: "my first, my last, my everything" (Barry white)--for those "sexy" moments in richard fish's life-- and "how can you mend a broken heart" (Al green)- for those times when ally feels down and lonely. At last, this CD brings "when the heartache is over", a dance and melodic song performed by tina turner (also a guest in ally mcbeal).Despite the fact that I'm a huge fan of the show, I recommend this CD for those who appreciate good vocals and soft listening.

What a great collection of great talent. Vonda Shepard-wonderful voice as always. Robert Downey Jr.-Ahhh! What can I say? He is amazingly talented in so many avenues. His song "Snakes" written and performed by Downey is just breathtaking. His beautiful voice resonates soulfully. What a wonderful bonus to this CD. Sting with Robert Downey Jr. on "Every Breath You Take" is a refreshing reminder of a great song. Vonda and Robert on "Chances Are"-What a lovely combination of two extremely talented vocalists. Vonda Shepard singing "Reason To Believe" takes me back to my Rod Stewart era, superbly done. Barry White, Tina Turner, and Al Green-The talent behind their names says it all! Over all I would say this is one great collection. "Chances Are" this will be a huge hit!

I bought this CD because I love Ally McBeal. I was quite pleasantly surprised to learn that Robert Downey Jr. can sing very well. The songs he contributed were emotional and moving. In fact, I listen to his songs more than those sung by Vonda Shepard whose voice, although beautiful, can sometimes sound flat and lack dimension. The CD has been in my player since I bought it and I listen to it everyday. You won't be disappointed!

This soundtrack is both terrific, and terrifically uneven. Upside: it features Vonda Shepard, Sting, Al Green, Tina Turner, Barry White, and Anastacia. Downside: with so many artists, it lacks the smooth continuity of the first two "Ally McBeal" albums. Three of its tracks also feature Robert Downey Jr., a truly fine actor. Upside: the songs are great. Downside: as a singer...Downey tries hard. On seven tracks, Vonda goes solo. The upside is obvious: the lady has a voice like a bell. Downside: all these songs are ballads, not the pop that usually moves Ally and friends at the end of the day. However-- This album has one solid upside: each song evokes a clear memory of one stand-out moment from the series. "When the Heartache is Over" recalls Ally's funny victory in a dance contest. The first four notes of "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" conjure up the classic washroom choreography that all the characters have tried at one time or another. Fourteen memories from your favourite show: if you're an "Ally McBeal" fan, you can't find a downside to that.

I bought this CD mainly to hear Robert Downey Jr sing. I had no idea how beautiful his voice is! I disagree completely with the Editorial Review that says he sounds like he is straining to emulate Sting. He has an amazing voice, truly his own. I keep catching myself telling Sting to be quiet! "Snakes" is a treat- different from the other songs on the soundtrack in a refreshing way. And "Chances Are" with Vonda is my favorite. They sing so beautifully together! I wish Robert would sing some more! How about a CD of his own?? Please?

Although when buying this soundtrack I knew that it wouldn't be able to live up to the 1st Ally album (which housed great Vonda Shepard classics (Searchin' My Soul, Will You Marry Me, Wildest Times Of The World and Maryland) as well as vital storyline songs (Hooked On A Feeling - the dancing baby, Neighbourhood - Ally and Billy's song, Tell Him - Ally's theme song), I am very impressed with it, especially since this is the 4th Ally album - and they still are great.

The standout Ally track here is Chances Are, which is Ally and Larry's song. Vonda and Robert Downey Jr. sing this really well, and it is planned to be a single (although this may not go ahead since Robert Downey Jr. got himself arrested the day before this album was released!). Other tracks which will bring back series memories are those sung by Al Green (when Ally went through depression, this was played a lot) and Barry White (which has been heavily requested to be on this soundtrack!).

Although I must admit I am not a fan of Robert Downey Jr, the track he wrote for this album is amazing. Its quirkily produced by Vonda, and its attraction for me lies in the ever so catchy piano tune which goes on throughout the song. A song written by Vonda (taken from her by 7:30 album) is also included, titled You and Me. This is also a standout track, and makes you appreciate how much Vonda deserves the popularity she has gained from the show.

Other highlight covers include the title track, where Vonda's vocals really shine, Alone Again (Naturally) and a duet with Anastacia, where we get to hear 2 of the most powerful voices in pop right now - combined!

Overall, this album delivers all that you can expect from it - BUY IT!

In this latest CD of the incredible Ally McBeal music series, the music itself is tooken to a differnet direction. Instead of a CD with just the wonderful Vonda Shepard singing all of the tracks, we have a few guest artist contributing. First, Robert Downey Jr., who is quite a musical talent, duets with Sting on "Every Breath You Take", a Police classic. Then, we have him singing with Vonda on "Chances Are", a Bob Seger song. Both of these songs including "Snakes", which Downey wrote himself, make this CD shine more than it already had. Second, we have the ultimate soul diva Tina Turner with her great song, "When The Heartache Is over". Then, of course, we have the great Barry White singing "You're The First, The Last, My Everything". Since I'm a hardcore Ally fan, I can't help but picture the scenes in Ally McBeal when John Cage (played by Peter MacNichol) struts his stuff to the Barry's 70's classic when I hear that song. Now, back to Vonda. Her contributions are exquisite. One would have to be extremely brave to cover a song by Mr. Bob Dylan (Don't Think Twice, It's All Right) and extremely gifted and talented to actually pull it off and,in a way, rival the original. Plus her reditions of the classics "Reason to Believe" and "Alone Again" along with her own material like "You and Me" make it perfectly clear why Vonda Shepard managed to touch many people's hearts and souls. Let's face it, Vonda RULES!!!!

Every once in a long while, I come across a CD on which every song is good. I am a music fan in every sense of the word; I buy albums constantly just to see what they're like. Sometimes, I'm pleasantly surprised. "For Once in My Life" is just one of those really good CDs. Although I really do like every song, I'm most partial to tracks 3-7. Vonda Shepard is a wonderful singer and her soulful rendition of the Bob Dylan classic "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" really does the original justice. I was considerably happy when my mother, a hard-core Dylan fan, was speechless after hearing Shepard's cover. The other covers on the album, such as "Chances Are" by Bob Seger (performed by Shepard and Robert Downey, Jr.) and "Every Breath You Take" by Sting (performed by Sting and Downey Jr. and featured on one of the most romantic series episodes ever on television) were lovely. "Chances Are" is a beautiful song, and Shepard and Downey Jr. brought it alive. The Sting/Downey Jr. duet left me "breath"-less. It is truly one of the most endearing songs of our time, a song which has been remade constantly but never loses its heart. Track 6, the original Shepard song "You and Me" is completely infectious and a very pleasant love song. Shepard's ability to make a simple love song play over in your head is really amazing. "You and Me" is deeper than some bubbly love ballad - its lyrics are very poetic and describe the emotions of feeling alone even in the company of others. Track 7, my personal favorite, is a song called "Snakes," written and performed by Robert Downey, Jr. Despite his personal troubles, Downey really is a true entertainer, gifted in music as well as the dramatic arts. "Snakes" is the best song I've heard in a while, mysterious and completely profound. I just can't seem to stop playing it! Downey's voice is distinctly smoky and almost shy, in a way, as if he wants to tell you something but is afraid of revealing too much. I'm just sorry that I don't know what he's saying, but the lyrics I've figured out so far are simple but unsettlingly beautiful. The album also features such motown classics as "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by Al Green, "You're The First, The Last, My Everything" by Barry White, and "When the Heartache is Over" by Tina Turner. For once in MY life, I've come across a great CD. If soulful love songs appeal to you, "For Once In My Life" is a must have. I don't think I'll ever be able to turn it off.

I enjoyed this cd more than I thought I would - not being that much of an Ally McBeal fan. Vonda Shepard has an impressive voice and Robert Downey Jr was surprisingly good also! Al Green, Sting and Tina Turner topped it off perfectly. Good kick back and chill music.