Beneath the Velvet Sun

Shawn Mullins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004YKUZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,560 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars did it again, November 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Beneath the Velvet Sun (Audio CD)

I was nervous about buying Beneath the Velvet Sun because I was afraid that it wouldn't live up to Soul's Core. Like Soul's Core, this new CD speaks to many different people on many different levels. Mullins has created more music that can inspire people, help them through hard times, help express their feelings, help them feel good; Beneath the Velvet Sun just touches the soul, draws it out, comforts it. 'Somethin' to Believe In', 'Valentine', 'Lonesome, I Know You Too Well' are a few of the more touching songs. However, Mullins doesn't lose all of his 'folk' sound; that's represented too. I think it's a well-rounded CD that shows Shawn's growth in his art, as well as discretely revealing what many of us are unable to do, even if we won't admit it.

It just gets better every time I listen to it. I think it's a must for any Shawn Mullin's collection. Enjoy the feeling.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Polished Shawn Mullins, October 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Beneath the Velvet Sun (Audio CD)

The return of Shawn Mullins after a 2-year recording break brings a more polished, pop, and a definitely more corporate Shawn trying to reach a broader audience. Is this another Soul's Core? - no, there is no Shimmer or Twin Rocks Oregon. Is this an Eggshells? - no, there is no Joshua or Where's Johnny. But make no mistake of it - this CD has unique and strong qualities and exhibits some potential classics in "North on 95", "Valentine" and the catchy "I Know" (Shelby Lynn on background vocals-wow!). The pop exists in the single "Everywhere I Go" and "Up All Night" (why they failed to have the jazzy/blues ending carry on longer is too bad) - both solid strong top 40 type tunes. "We Run" is a strong gospel like powerful ballad written with his wife and "Santa Fe" actually sounds like late 1970's Eagles revisted - who has ever managed that? In any event, this CD is the next step - in the right direction - for an extremely talented singer, songwriter capable of something innovative with every new recording.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great disc from a great songwriter, February 17, 2001

By 

Aaron Blight (Westminster, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beneath the Velvet Sun (Audio CD)

I became a Shawn Mullins fan when I bought "Soul's Core" a couple of years ago. I liked "Soul's Core" so much that I also later purchased "The First Ten Years" when it came out. On both of these albums, Shawn's talent as a consummate singer/songwriter is manifested.

It was an instant decision for me, therefore, to buy "Beneath the Velvet Sun" as soon as it was released. I am continually impressed by this disc because it is nothing less than a continuation of Shawn's growth as an artist. Every song on this album is excellent. Shawn has paid a lot of attention to packaging his songs here, so the sound is more "big band" and polished than his earlier work, but it it sounds SO GOOD. His straight, honest lyrics and his trademark acoustic guitar, coupled with soaring melodies laced at times with his exquisite falsetto -- it's all here. These songs showcase his strength and versatility as a songwriter.

From the beginning, Shawn has been a musician who is more interested in art than in pleasing the masses. Although he achieved great success with "Soul's Core," (due mostly to one song, "Lullaby") this album is evidence that Shawn hasn't sold out to the recording industry. He has obviously maintained his emphasis on writing songs because they are good songs; he's not writing songs that are merely replicated sounds from the narrow confines of FM radio.

Hats off to Shawn for his achievement on this album. I highly recommend it.