Are You Okay

Was Not Was (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 3, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chrysalis
• ASIN: B000008M4K
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #234,631 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing variety, January 10, 2004

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Are You Okay (Audio CD)

On this album, Was (Not Was) explores various blends of funk, rock, dance and pop styles with delightful results. There is much quirky humour in a song like I Feel Better Than James Brown, an addictive tune with a hypnotic beat that pays tribute to James Brown's masterpiece I Feel Good. The lyrics are just priceless!

Unusually for Was (Not Was), they also explore the dark side of life in Maria Novarro, a powerful song with a nervous beat and disturbing lyrics about domestic violence: "In the city of Angels, there's no mercy and there's no tomorrow for Maria Novarro ..."

Adding to the charms of this multifaceted album is Leonard Cohen who contributes the main vocal on Elvis' Rolls Royce over a jazzy background. The next track Dressed To Be Killed is a jerky rap number with lovely sax infusions, whilst Just Another Couple Broken Hearts is a mellow ballad.

Always the masters of rhythmic innovation, Was (Not Was) provides a dazzling display of textures on Are You OK? It is my favorite album by these imaginative musicians.

5.0 out of 5 stars The intersection of Funk, R&B and Rock 'n Roll, July 27, 2011

By 

Truth Seeker (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Are You Okay (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite albums from the 80s-90s. It has that upbeat enthusiasism of the 80's with the edge of funk, rap (and even some "scratching" on the turntables). There are several straight up R&B songs which I'm not so fond of, but they don't dominate the album. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone is the perfect updating of that 60's pre-women's liberation anthem. Several have very thoughtful and passionate lyrics -- Maria Navarro killed by her husband, even though she tried to get the cops to stop him, etc. My own personal anthem - "In KMart Wardrobe" -- I hum it every time I wear my purchases...
The CD has excellent sound -- probably better than my old cassette, which melted long ago.

4.0 out of 5 stars So Funky. F-U-N-K-A-Y!, January 2, 2011

By 

itsjoev "itsjoev" (Kalamazoo, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Are You Okay? (MP3 Download)

I had this on tape and wore it out. My fave album from the Wases, and a funky, smooth, danceable blast from beginning to end. It's challenging, if you listen closely, and you will. But you can just enjoy the groove too without getting too caught up as well. Great guest vocals. Well worth the $9.