Customer Reviews

Brenda Russell

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the debut CD from songwriter and singer, Brenda Russell. It was released in 1979 and is one of her finest, most beautiful, simplest musical compositions ever committed to disc that serves as an introduction to an artist whose work has blossomed ever so beautifully within her two decades in the music business.

There are 4 songs on this album that are also represented on her greatest hit collection: the hit single and opener "So Good So Right" which peaked at #30 on the billbord pop charts, the wonderful interpretation of the Luther Vandross classic "If Only For One Night" the melodic, adult contemporary piece, "Way Back When," and the bonus track: her signature song, "Piano In The Dark" (which originally appeared on her 1988 "Get Here" album)and Brenda's only top 10 hit (#6) that smoothly closes this beautiful collection.

The album also contains the upbeat track, "In The Thick Of It," (her vocal seems reminiscent of early Roberta Flack on this track), the sensitive, "A Little Bit Of Love," the inspirational "You're Free" and the stunning ballad, "God Bless You." She also covers the hit single by Cheryl Ladd (of the original "Charlie Angels"), the midtempo "Think It Over" (which was a top 40 hit for Ladd in 1978! (#34))

The album sports a striking cover photo of her profile (braids and all!) while on the back cover, there is a unique, yet engaging picture of an overview of a pensive Brenda sitting on top of the piano! Inside the contents are merely the listing of songs all penned by Brenda herself and photo and package credits. Much to my chagrin, there are no linear notes involving any of the musicians that lend their talents to this wonderful effort as well as no lyrics!

Despite this quip, this album serves as one of the most quiet and pleasing collections of music that I own. A treasure in any musical library, this CD is a wonderful reminder that music can be intelligent and simplistic and soulful and seductive and "so good, so right."

WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS ALBUM IN 1979
IT BLEW ME AWAY. GREAT SONGWRITING, SINGING AND STYLE,
NOT SELLING OUT TO THE DISCO CRAZE. THIS ALBUM IS TRULY
A JAZZ/R&B/POP CLASSIC THAT NEVER SOUNDS DATED.
THINK "TAPESTRY" BY CAROLE KING.

All Grammy's aside, Ms. Russell's self-titled album is her best. Although dated through production stylings', this work illustrates the original, melodic, fresh, somewhat naive, and haunting creative work that evolved into Russell's Grammy winners. My fav's: "In the Thick of It" and "Think It Over". The classic "If Only For One Night" goes without saying (I've always preferred Russell's interpretation over Vandross's). Thanks Universal for finally releasing the entire collection on CD. After listening to a cassette taped from the album for 14 years, I can finally hear the quality I've been missing...and send a copy to the one who introduced me to the music, my dad!

I have been listening to Brenda Russell for years. Although mostly known for her ever popular "Piano in the Dark" she has amassed an array of very expressive hauntingly mornful scores that, in my opinion, have been greatly under appreciated. One of my personal all time favorites is "Way back when" evoking a spriutual innocence and naivety rarely seen in works of this genre. Definetly a rare artist from the old-school with abundant talent.

Brenda Russell is one of the finest vocalists in soul/rhythm and blues we've ever had. This reissue of her first album is prime proof of that fact. Is there a more seductive or sorrowful song than "Piano in the Dark"? What a tune! What an album! Buy it---you'll love it!

Michael Butts

In the thick of it, Way back when, if only for one night, So good so right... the list goes on and on. This was a classis I listened to as a child and as an adult I enjoy this CD quite often. Brenda Russell is a great talent and she desrves more credit in the music world.

Brenda Russell is one of the most overlooked singer/songerwriters I know of. This is a shame because she is a master songwriter of some classic contemporary hits. She always stood out to me because as a black singer her style was different from other black singers of her generation in that she incorporated more musical styles into her repertoire than the usual R&B (folk, pop & jazz come to mind). The irony is that many black listeners (myself included) loved it (When will record companies ever learn?!!). She never offends the listener by overtly using standard formulas to crossover to a wider audience, like more commercially successful singers, so her music never sounds contrived and phony. This naturalness is an irresistable quality that is essential to her success.

While not a vocal powerhouse, it never seems to matter because the songwriting and arrangements more than make up for it. She is, however, a very capable singer with just enough soulfulness, and at times grittiness to her voice to embellish an already great song. I also particularly like the fact that she doesn't rely on traditional formats in her compositions. Bridges are often spare or blend so smoothly with the rest of the song to at times almost seem nonexistent. This straying from the norm is a catchy and wonderful technique.

The tracks on this CD almost qualify it as a "Greatest Hits" CD. "Piano In the Dark" (my favorite)is probably the most memorable cut here, with it's haunting melody and beautiful arrangment (especially the piano accompaniment). That notwithstanding, this CD reminded me of other songs I loved, some of which I didn't recognize her as being the artist. Of note are "So Good, So Right", "In the Thick of It" (where she takes a hip and funky turn), and "If Only for One Night" (another classic often covered by other singers). The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because there are a couple of lesser-known songs that sound too much alike.

In all, I recommend this CD as a great addtion to any music lover's collection.

I've always admired Brenda Russell for her gorgeous voice and inspired songwriting-- in my opinion, she is criminally underrated (perhaps because of her unwillingness to go with the current trends). This was a superb debut with such wonderful Quiet Storm delicacies as "So Good So Right", "In The Thick Of It", the lush "If Only For One Night" and the heartwarming "God Bless You" being among her best songs. A truly beautiful album.

Classic pop-soul from a truly under-rated singer/songwriter/producer - best cuts- "God Bless You", "Think It Over"(a hit for Charlies' singing angel Cheryl Ladd!), "So Good So Right", 'One Night"......actually all of them are great! AND SUCH A DEAL!

I purchased this CD because it is vintage Brenda Russell and it brings back memories from my earlier years. The music is very smooth and alluring, good love music when your in the company of that significant other.