Customer Reviews

Coming Back to You

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

From start to finish, Melinda Doolittle's new album, "Coming Back to You" is simply soul magic. Thirteen songs showcase her vocal range with an exquisite blend of gritty blues, Tina Turner-style rockers, smooth jazz (imagine Nancy Wilson but even better), and beautiful ballads reminiscent of "My Funny Valentine" which feature Melinda's rich velvety vocals set against lush instrumental backdrops. Every song has as its foundation, soul, pure powerful heartfelt soul. Most albums have four or five "good" songs tops. This album has thirteen "incredible" songs, no duds! Each song is like a miniature tapestry, where Melinda paints a musical picture-story with her voice. If you're searching for an album you can play from start to finish, listen to over and over, and never tire of it, this one's for you.

Of all the American Idol contestants, Melinda Doolittle has been my favorite. I knew she wouldn't win with her sophisticated song stylings, but I also knew she had a voice we could be listening to for the next century...something like a modern day Gladys Knight or Ella Fitzgerald. So I have been looking forward to her first album for some time.

First, let may say everything is beautifully sung and I still believe she could become a musical legend. However, I hate to say the choice of songs left me cold. I would have much preferred an album of standards like her brilliant interpretation of Roger and Hart's "My Funny Valentine." A voice of this power and ability needs proven songs that can stand up to it and this mediocre collection of undistinguished R&B numbers simply does not.

"Let's get back to the fundamental things
Let's get back to the elements of style"

So sings Melinda Doolittle in the opening cut of "Coming Back to You", her debut CD. And get back she does, applying her impressive vocals to grooves, rhythms and melodies that span the best of the past, including songs from Robert Johnson (a scintillating "Dust My Broom", "Walking Blues") and Sammy Cahn (gorgeous renditions of "The Best of Everything", "I'll Never Stop Loving You" and "Wonder Why"). Other standouts include "It's Your Love", an outstanding "girl group" effort and "If I'm Not in Love", a song made famous by Faith Hill and reimagined as a soul burner. Few artists have the vocal chops of Melinda Doolittle, but it's her emotional connection to the material that makes her one of the best vocalists of her generation. This CD both satisfies and whets the appetite for more - five stars.
After listening to this CD for months, both in my car and on my home system, I have one recommendation for anyone who wants to understand how great Melinda is: Listen to "Wonder Why", the final song on "Coming Back to You".
It is just Melinda's voice, backed by a Fender Rhodes style piano. And her phrasing is astonishing - utterly beguiling. There are a few examples of an artist so completely inhabiting a song that it becomes a definitive version. Eva Cassidy's "Over The Rainbow" comes to mind, but where Eva's emotional center was one of human yearning so poignant as to break one's heart, Melinda's emotional center here is of the giddy feelings of first love; not a childish fantasy, but a mature appreciation of having the self-confidence to lose oneself in another. After being impressed with Melinda's star turn with "My Funny Valentine" on Idol, this performance proves that Melinda Doolittle was born to carry the Great American Songbook to a new generation.
All of the performances on "Coming Home to You" are great. "Wonder Why" is world class. Melinda, please do an album of standards and take your place as the Ella Fitzgerald of your generation.

I waited so long for this CD and was so afraid I would be disappointed since I was with David Archuleta and somewhat with David Cook's CDs. How wonderful to be entertained royally by Melinda - I knew there was a reason I voted for her all the way through - I sincerely love this CD and even more so, I hope she will put out more CD's with the Blues sound as well as some love ballads - she has done a great job on this CD and I will be awaiting more music for her - she was the winner of the season for my money and this CD is just proof of what a great voice she has - Good for you, Melinda - stand proud - this is a great CD with some really interesting song choices.

Ever since children with multiple auto-dialers ruined any chance of Melinda Doolittle winning American Idol, fans of the talented soul diva have been waiting impatiently for her first studio album, and like all good things, it was worth the wait.
This is not your usual, quickly-thrown together mess to cash in on A.I. publicity; Doolittle has taken her time, selected the right songs and produced an album with an almost timeless quality.
Just buy it, now.

While not every track here equally grabs me, there are enough that have me hitting the repeat button to describe this as a very strong CD. Melinda's take on the Robert Johnson blues number "Dust My Broom" jumped out on the first spin & is currently zooming up my personal top ten. Melinda transforms the tune into an old-timey rocker and hits it straight on with her powerful vocals, "I don't want no man wants every downtown woman he meets; There are some no-good doers; They shouldn't be allowed on the street." The lyric reflects Russ Harrington's cover photography of Melinda in the middle of a busy city street. Likewise, with Robert Johnson's "Walkin' Blues," she rocks the bluesy track with a funky "doo-doo-wop" background chorus that polishes the tune to a glorious shine. The David Batteau opener "Fundamental Things" strikes a soulful tone on a classic performance, "Let's dance barefoot over broken glass, slither like a snake does through the wet cold grass." Doolittle grabs the tune "Declaration of Love" out of Celine Dion's hands and refuses to give it back with a stunningly powerful vocal. "Wonderful" and "If I'm Not In Love" are also strong tracks. "Coming Back to You" is an excellent beginning for this dynamic singer. Enjoy!

A stellar debut, perhaps one of the best I have ever heard.

Every song is executed with verve and with the deepest commitment to interpretations of the music that deftly connects, heart and soul, so essentially to the lyric.

The proof is in the impressive emotional range of Melinda's performances as she captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by love (Wonder Why), tenderness (I'll Never Stop Loving You), inspiration (We Will Find a Way), resilience and defiance (Dust My Broom, Walkin Blues), passion (It's Your Love, The Best of Everything), strength and perseverance (I Will Be), and longing (If I'm Not in Love).

It's all here, as it should be, in music rooted, deeply, in the rhythms of soul, rock, doo wop, blues and jazz. There's a depth to Melinda's singing that is rare to find in any artist, let alone one of her generation. The jazz interpretive, Wonder Why, impresses beyond belief as Melinda's colorful key changes and phrasing are impeccable; it's a song that reminisces the power of a love so transformative, it makes you cry.

It's no coincidence the CD is released the week before Valentine's Day. Get it for someone you love, someone who has lost a love, someone who wants to find love. No matter where you are in the matters of the heart, there's an emotion here that will speak to you.

Not only did I vote consistently for Melinda Doolittle when she was on AI, I waited with so huge anticipation for this CD. I could not be more disappointed. Let me remind any reader that this is my personal opinion and obviously not the opinion of the majority: I found the CD to be musically boring and completely uninteresting. Melinda's voice is still an amazing instrument but so misused on this CD that it amazes me she approved these tedious songs. Not one of them has an interesting hook and some go on so long that they seem interminable. I still love her voice, and she seems like a person I would love to meet, but would so much prefer it if she "covered" some classics from the Golden Period of R&B in the 50's and 60's. Better yet, get some other composers to write for her.

Melinda Doolittle makes me think of how music sounded in the 60's when Soul music was at its peak. She makes me think of Tina Turner, Mary Wells and Aretha as well as Nancy Wilson. She brings R and B back to its early roots. Fundamental Things makes me think of Ike and Tina's early work. This is a great CD and I am glad Melinda stayed true to a sound that works well for her. If you truely like Soul and R & b this the CD for You. Very good and some

Seldom do I get excited by a CD, but tonight I played Melinda Doolittle's new album and I found myself with butterflies, goose bumps and filled with joy as I played each track. It seems like yesterday on American Idol that Melinda placed third behind of all people the box beat guy....Blake. I cannot believe it has taken this long for this phenomenal singer to make a record but all I can say is Melinda is blessed with the most gorgeous voice. I loved the Ballads, The Best of Everything and I'll Never stop Loving You plus all the other blues and upbeat jazzy things equally. I hope Idol invites her back this season to sing at least two songs. She is already good enough to mentor, quite honestly in my opinion she is in league with major talents right now. No one singing today has her phrasing, her power and her passion...I was just blown away. I am taking a long drive tomorrow just to play the CD in my car where I always enjoy music the most. Thank you Melinda for sharing your enormous talent with us.
Dave in Kansas City( Tennessee native )