Customer Reviews

Angel of the Night

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are a handful of ballads written during the rock era that just stand out as being startling and totally awe-inspiring. For fear of leaving the truly worthy out of that list, I can rightly say that Angela Bofill's "I Try" is one of those. Penned by the singer, the song works on all levels. It is a passionate love song featuring the sultry keyboard wizardry of Dave Grusin and the sax extraordinaire Eddie Daniels. This one song is reason enough for a purchase of this genuinely classic album.

The jazzed-up version of The Stylistics' "People Make the World Go `Round" is another winner on a recording filled with satisfying tracks. "What I Wouldn't Do (For the Love of You)," the title track, and the touching "Rainbow Child (Little Pas)" are breathtaking.

Bofill, like the late Phyllis Hyman, deserves a wider audience. Sadly, the fickleness of the American listening public can only accept the bubble-gum franchises.

I want to give the "props" to a true musical artist. Bofill is the "real deal."

ANGEL OF THE NIGHT was the album that turned me on to Angela Bofill. Prior to being exposed to it, I had heard a later title of hers, TEASER, and was quite unimpressed. But this album grabbed me with its style: late 70's jazzy/Latin/R&B/pop, all meshed together into eight smooth and captivating tracks. Nowadays it seems that due to the CD format, too many artists and record companies feel the need to fill up as much of an 80-minute disc as possible. The more songs for your money, right? Well, that would be fine if you're getting 80 minutes worth of quality music. Filler doesn't cut it for me, and this album, from start to finish, most definitely does NOT contain filler. ANGEL OF THE NIGHT is a prime example that QUALITY is 100 times more important that QUANTITY. (Side note: Remember that Anita Baker's classic RAPTURE also had eight songs, as did Natalie Cole's THANKFUL.)

Now, after hearing Angela's entire catalog, I can still say that ANGEL OF THE NIGHT is my favorite of her albums, with ANGIE running a very close second. Yes, if I end up being lost on one of those proverbial desert islands and have the good fortune to possess a CD player (with batteries that never run out!) and only ten CD's, among those would definitely be this album.

And the best news is that Buddah did a FANTASTIC job on their reissue of this album, including both the original liner notes as well as new liner notes by David Nathan, plus lyrics to all the songs.

If this kind of style is appealing to you, I predict you will fall in love with ANGEL OF THE NIGHT.

The first time I heard Angela Bofill was in 1981 when a friend lent me her tape of 'Angel of the Night.' From that time on, I was hooked to the voice of Angela, and I bought basically most of her albums. During that time, the only media available were the vinyl LPs and cassettes. Among my personal favorites are 'Angie' (her first album), 'Something About You', 'Too Tough' and, of course, 'Angel of the Night.'

What attracted me to Angela was her style of singing and her choice of songs, specially those in her first two albums which were produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen under their GRP record label. These songs were really full of her emotions. One can really feel her joy, love, angst and grief just by listening to her songs. Probably because a lot of her early songs were her compositions.

Her style in 'Angie' and 'Angel of the Night' were what they called 'jazz fusion' - a blend of jazz and R&B. The early '80s were characterized by this kind of this musical genre, and Angela Bofill was among its more prominent personalities. Up to this time, local radio stations still include her songs in their line-ups.

When I learned that her first two albums have been re-released, this time in CD format, I really got excited! Now I have the chance of listening to these albums again without the usual hisses and scratches from my old vinyl LPs. It's really about time that a great album such as this is finally released in CD format. Although she still comes out with news albums from time to time, I still prefer her early albums (such as those under the GRP and Arista) over the later ones. Her voice and songs during the early part of her career were truly unique and really worth listening to, again and again.

This album was my first exposure to Angela Bofill and is still one of my favorites by her. Her unique voice, jazzy-soul style, and meaningful lyrics are always a joy and are forever in style. In an age where I listen to new music with one finger on the "Skip Track" button, it is a relief to once again have access to an album that you can put on and just slowly fall in love with a truely wonderful talent.

This is a classic piece of harmonic, soulful, spiritful music! You can't go wrong with any of her CD's, but this one will always be at the top of my list. She's an Angel of the night (angelita de la noche) is Angie at her best. The entire project is delicious to the ear and will bring back many memories, or create new ones, for new listeners! Fantastic standouts are:

1. I Try (Classic and Superb Quiet Storm Jam)
2. People Make The World Go Round (Fantastic soothing re-make)
3. Angel of the Night (Classic Angie--best song on the CD)
4. What I Wouldn't Do (You'll be singing along in no time to this classic tune)
5. The Feelings Love (Top Notch heartfelt Angie)

As you can see, that's almost the entire album...so pick it up for your collection, you won't be disappointed.

After scoring a top-selling high-charting album with her debut LP "Angie", Angela Bofill recorded this superlative follow-up. With unforgettable, timeless songs like "I Try", "The Feeling's Love, "Love To Last" and the title track this album was an instant classic.In some ways, I wish Angela had remained with GRP as Grusin and Rosen really knew how to produce her and get the right material for her.

Angela Bofill is one of the most vastly underrated singers ever in my opinion. It's sad that because people couldn't place her music into the straight r&b, jazz or pop categories, that today almost 30 years after her debut, people are just now recognizing her talent.

For those who've never heard of her, one listen to the magnificent I TRY & WHAT I WOULDN'T DO FOR THE LOVE OF YOU will turn you on to her music. There's not a bad track on this disc, which showcases her magnificent voice and excellent music production in support. The other tracks that stand out to me are: RAINBOW CHILD, LOVE TO LAST & THE FEELIN'S LOVE.

If you are in search of artistry that mixes r&b, cubano sounds & jazz...then you will not be disappointed if you give this early Angela Bofill disc a try.

I saw Angela Bofill perform at Carnagie Hall many years ago and she was spectacular!!! I remember that before she performed the song "I Try," she let us know that it was her Saxophonist's last performance with her; she dedicated the song to him ~ by the end of the song, there wasn't a dry eye in the audience and it's my favorite song. Rainbow Child is dedicated to her nephew, who died in a car accident at too young an age... it's truly touching.

I own the LP version of this CD and recently saw Angela Bofill at B.B. King, NYC. Angie is no longer performing her music due to suffering several strokes, but "The Angela Bofill Experience" is a wonderful show; what a courageous woman!!! She narrates her story with accompanying videos and Flutist/Friend/Performer Dave Valentin with Maysa beautifully interpreting her songs. I purchased 2 CDs: one to gift to a friend and the other one to keep for myself to listen because I now have my LP personally autographed by Ms. Bofill and it will hang on display with the rest of my music & art collection!!! :)

I don't even know where to begin when desribing Bofill's voice. I am a huge connoisseur of great vocalists, but this lady really tops them when it comes to uniqueness. There are some really great singers out there, but Angela is not only a great singer, but she really has a style and tone that I've never heard before, and no one even comes close. I just recently pulled out all of her CD's and listened to them with a real hard examniation. The final result was, this lady really blows me away with the way she sings. I always feel pulled into the song, feeling her emotion and various expressions.

AOTN is a great piece of work if you are not that familar with her, as is ANGIE, SOMETHING ABOUT YOU, I WANT TO LOVE SOMEBODY and her last release in 1996 LOVE IN SLOW MOTION

This is among my favorite Angele Bofill CD's. "Angle of the Night" says it all - the rest of the disc is also enjoyable. Five stars!!