Customer Reviews

Cyndi Lauper: The Body Acoustic

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After covering other people's songs in her last release (2003's At Last), Cyndi Lauper yet again deviates from releasing an album of new material & instead covers her OWN songs on The Body Acoustic. Yes, these are acoustic versions of earlier hits & album tracks, with the help of some guests that include Sarah McLachlan, Shaggy, Vivian Green, Ani DiFranco, Jeff Beck, and Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazzara.

For most of these songs, "acoustic" doesn't always equal "downtempo." Sure, there are some obvious choices [read: ballads] that don't sound too radically different, like "Time After Time," "True Colors" & "Water's Edge," but they still pack an emotional punch. Especially "True Colors."

It's the more uptempo songs that fare better with the acoustic treatment. Songs like "Money Changes Everything," which now sounds like a twangy singalong, & "She Bop," which is slowed down to sound like a bluesy confessional. I'm not saying one version is superior to the other; these are just new incarnations of familiar songs. And for the most part, they're really good. I was even pleased with "All Through The Night," which sounds almost rootsy with it's folk-like fiddle. She collaborates on the song with reggae star Shaggy, whom I normally despise, along with most reggae music, but he & Cyndi do a lot of good to the song, which has always been one of my favorites. It gets a new, pulsing, rhythmic flow. Other highlights include "Shine" & "Sisters of Avalon."

As with most compilations these days, there are a couple new tracks thrown in the mix: "Above The Clouds" & "I'll Be Your River" are two deeply poignant ballads that sound like classic Cyndi Lauper. But it really makes you yearn for an album of all-new material!

The only disappointment is yet another version of "Girls Just Want To Have Fun." She already gave it the calypso treatment on "Hey Now" (from 1994's hits collection, 12 Deadly Cyns), so I was hoping for (& excited about) a completely different retelling of the song, along the lines of "She Bop." Well, instead we get a terrrible ska-lite version of the song with the help of that sugar-coated Japanese pop duo, Puffy AmiYumi. Oh well. It's the one downside of an album that's otherwise surprisingly entertaining & consistently agreeable.

If you're a Cyndi Lauper fan, I'd hope that you give this a shot before just writing it off!

Cyndi Lauper weaves magic with her new release, "The Body Acoustic," a collection of her greatest hits, notable non-singles and two new compositions recorded with sparse instrumentation. Like her superb 2003 standards collection, "At Last," her valentine to her native New York, one could say that Lauper is simply cashing in on another recent trend; this time of releasing acoustic reinterpretations of an artist's own former catalogue. However, the bulk of her songwriting is ideal for an intimate setting, which makes "The Body Acoustic" not only a solid but a justified release; not a mere pause before releasing a complete disc of original material.

Lauper kicks off the disc with the assistance of Taking Back Sunday's Adam Lazarra, one of many special guests she enlisted for inclusion on this project. Singing her 1984 hit "Money Changes Everything," Lauper nearly replicates the electricity she exudes when performing the song in concert. With a sprawling vocal range that is equal parts gritty and graceful, it is hard for the majority of her guests to keep up with her at all, making their inclusion essentially inconsequential. The only exceptions are Sarah McLachlan, who provides perfect compliment to "Water's Edge" and 1984's #1 smash "Time After Time," and Shaggy, who helps Lauper turn "All Through the Night" into a delightfully reggae-infused affair.

"Sisters of Avalon" is a funky, rousing excursion. Though at once they seem ideal to lend their talents to the track, Ani Difranco and Vivian Green simply fall into the background on a song that fits nicely in the scheme of the disc but adds nothing original to the original 1997 version. Green's presence is felt more strongly, however, on "I'll Be Your River," one of the two new tracks. A song of an endless, unselfish love, Lauper knocks this one straight out of the ballpark. Even sharper, however, is the second new selection, "Above the Clouds." A warm-bath ballad featuring Jeff Beck on lead guitar, the song is drenched in utter beauty and gorgeous lyrics that Lauper wraps her voice around with warmth and style.

"Stand tall/And glide/When you're all alone in the crowd/Don't fall/Don't hide/When you walk above the clouds/When you walk above the clouds."

This collection would be incomplete without "True Colors," her huge 1986 hit she recorded in honor of her friend Gregory who passed away from AIDS. It is no surprise that the song has become so important to the homosexual community, for it waxes so pointedly of unconditional empathy and acceptance, no matter who or what one may be.

"I see your true colors shining through/I see your true colors/And that's why I love you/So don't be afraid to let them show/Your true colors/Are beautiful like a rainbow."

Also included are the invigorating "Shine," "Fearless," an intense moody take on 1984's infamous "She Bop" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," which remains just as festive as ever.

Although it is a disappointment that "Hat Full of Stars," Lauper's true masterpiece, is not represented on this collection, "The Body Acoustic" is everything a fine album should be. Loyal fans and casual listeners alike will all find something to love.

The DualDisc features 4 live performances, a look behind-the-scenes and the album in enhanced stereo.

Very happy to hear some new songs from Cyndi-- Above the Clouds and I'll Be Your River are beautiful ballads. I love that Cyndi plays the dulcimer. The re-workings of Cyndi classics are also great. The featured guests add to the songs in interesting ways. I can't tell what Shaggy is saying most of the time on All Through the Night, but his contribution is still fun.
The DVD side of the DualDisc has great quality. Very cool to see the music videos and the "kinda sorta" behind-the-scenes feature.

After attending Cyndi's Concert last weekend in Tahoe, I was convinced to buy this album as my first Cyndi Lauper album. I was never really a fan of hers because pop music like hers was never really my thing. But my fiancee is a fan, and I always did like songs like Time after Time and All Through the Night.

Her concert, however, was quite impressive. It gave me a respect for her talent that I never had, and I felt that this album maybe the one that would maintain my respect (rather than say purchase earlier "hits" compilations of hers).

My instinct seemed right. This album is a fantastic album featuring acoustic interpretations of many of her hits plus newer songs. I'll have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about the duet portions of this disc as I wasn't sure how some of the guest artists would work with Cyndi, but it seems that everything is just right.

The guest artists seem to participate in a backup capacity, which is nice. While I knew of the guests before I purchased it, I was a bit concerned that a guest like Sarah McLachlan would be a bit overwhelming or overpowering, but she isn't. In fact, Cyndi's voice shows great power throughout the tracks, which is what impressed me at the show I saw as well.

The acoustic arrangements are nice as well. They really bring out Cyndi's talent vocally and instrumentally. It really shows that there is more than your typical top 40 pop hit to these songs, especially lyrically.

I am impressed enough that I think I'll consider some of her more recent work and perhaps a true greatest hits compilation.

So, if you are a potential fan of Cyndi Lauper and perhaps you are not much of a pop music fan, this album just might be for you. I am sure it is not for everyone, and it is not an album to get if you are expecting all of Cyndi's songs in their original sense. These are reinterpretations, even if they aren't all that different from the originals.

Yesterday I was doing some Christmas shopping, and took it upon myself to buy a copy of "The Body Acoustic."

And it's without question, one of the most outstandingly brilliant things that I have heard in a looooooooong time. I don't really go in for pop music unless it's something with substance, intelligence and class... three traits that, especially today, tend to not be found in pop music. This album serves up all three in spades, along with several extra helpings of raw talent.

This album is a sonic treasure, something so impossibly rare that the moment I heard it, it's as though it just crawled way down to the depths of my soul and caused my entire being to vibrate. Each track on it is a brilliant jewel, so intrinsically detailed and delicate... only they're so strong that you just know this is music that will be cast in concrete and enjoyed for decades to come. The fact that the original versions of some of these songs are over 20 years old and still send shivers down my spine are just testaments to that fact.

Basically, the whole album is a collection of acoustic recordings, consisting largely of acoustic guitar, violin, piano, some percussion, and the string dulcimer, which Cyndi herself plays. There are I believe, three brand new songs - one of which, if it doesn't move you to tears, you have NO heart whatsoever - and about ten of Cyndi's older songs, except they're all recorded from scratch with new acoustic instrument arrangements, so they all sound very organic, very dignified and genuine... very vulnerable and sticky sweet. And at the same time, needless to say, everything sounds very very contemporary and real. I'd like to mention a few standouts - except the thing is, the whole freaking album is a standout. I can't single out any phenomenal tracks without listing the entire track list of the CD. It's that good.

Guest vocalists on the album include Ani Difranco, Shaggy, Sarah McLachlan and Adam Lazzarra of Taking Back Sunday... and they all do a magnificent job and add new dimensions to the music without overpowering it. In particular, Sarah McLachlan's vocals on "Time After Time" are just positively angelic.

Cyndi's vocals throughout the record are nothing shy of spectacular. Each song crackles with the electricity of an extremely gifted performer working her performance like a pro - which, if there had ever been a shred of doubt, Cyndi truly proves that she is. Her voice expressively paints each track with her emotions, her vulnerability. There is a haunting uniqueness to her vocal style, tinged with a slightly raspy and emotive quality that is so special, so delightful to the ear, that each track begs to be played again and again. Magnificent.

"The Body Acoustic" is a TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT in the history of popular music. In fact, forget that, it's a pretty righteous achievement in the history of all music. This is something very, very, very, very special, and should be heard and loved by all.

Sony has finally released a clean CD only version
(without the XCP copy protection), here's a link to it.:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CDSS2M/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2/104-1172647-8338328?%5Fencoding=UTF8

The Dual Disc never had the XCP,
so it's safe to buy either version now.

I have fond memories of dancing to the vinyl of "She's So Unusual" as a child growing up in New York. Since that time, Cyndi has always held a special place in my heart. Her latest album is an acoustic reworking of highlights from her career. Quite simply it is the most refreshing album released in recent times.

Money Changes Everything with Adam Lazzara ****
-A wise choice to open the album as this song is given new life and Cyndi's voice takes center stage as the true force behind the album...the girl can sing ANYTHING! Adam Lazzara provides great backing vocals on this track. He usually is lead vocals for his band, Taking Back Sunday.

All Through The Night with Shaggy ***
-I go back and forth on the necessity of Shaggy on this track, personally I think he detracts from a solid rendition of "All Through The Night". Perhaps Shaggy is on there to help make it sound different from the original.

Time After Time with Sarah McLachlan ****
-OH MY GOD!!! Cyndi Lauper AND Sarah McLachlan singing one of the most wrenchingly beautiful songs of ALL TIME!!! This is simply an amazing track!

She Bop *****
-After repeated listens, this is the true stand out track for me! Unbelievably reworked from the original, She Bop (the infamous female masturbation song) becomes a gritty blues song about female sexuality. The levels this song possesses in this new version blows my mind. The song stays in your head long after you've listened it to it!

Above The Clouds with Jeff Beck ****
-One of the new tracks, it is a very solid "feel good about yourself" song that again features Cyndi's powerhouse vocals!

I'll Be Your River with Vivian Green ****
-The other new track that is beautiful. Though Cyndi's vocal talents are AMAZING, her lyrics are not far behind. What a heartfelt song that is truly a spirtual experience. Vivian Green is no stranger to strong supporting vocals as she started out as a backup vocalist for Jill Scott.

Sisters Of Avalon with Ani DiFranco and Vivian Green**
-Not my favorite Cyndi Lauper song, but it's tolerable here. The highlight is Ani DiFranco's short solo verse that just blows! The energy of the song carries it, but on an album of gems this is the closest thing to a misstep.

Shine ****
-One of the most encouraging songs ever written with Cyndi's vocals making you want to be a better person!

True Colors ****
-Again...encouraging...powerhouse vocals...great lyrics.

Water's Edge with Sarah McLachlan ***
-McLachlan and Lauper join forces again for this beautiful song from her blink and you missed it "Shine" EP. It is not as solid as her other ballads though.

Fearless ***
-Good song, but unforunately I don't make it this far in the CD very often because I keep starting from the beginning:-) However, I am listening to it right now and it is a solid song, a little different from all the other songs on here...in a good way. A very subtle and graceful vocal performance from Miss Lauper.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun with Puffy Ami Yummi ****
-A great ska-like reworking of the song that put Cyndi on the map! Great energy although the inclusion of J-Pop group Puffy Ami Yummi is a little Gwen Stefani/Harajuka Girls-y to me, it is a solid ending to a solid album!!!

Cyndi Lauper has ONLY improved with age and has one of the most distinct and powerful voices in the world of music today! The girl can sing, play her own instruments, and write her own music! What an AMAZING album!!!

Peace Out,

JRamp

Many artists from Willie Nelson to Frank Sinatra have a done a duet collection of their songs. This is Cyndi Lauper's. It is not as good as Sinatra's but better than KISS's

This collection isnt a greatest hits...even if it is all of Lauper's greatest works. This is new remixes with Lauper blending with other artists. Some of these duets on this collection work and others seem to come out like bad Celebrities Duets (that new reality TV show on FOX)

For example, in both Lauper pairing with Sarah MacLachlan (Time after Time & Water's Edge), it seems a contest of wills...with Lauper leading strong vocally. However Shaggy and Cyndi's version of "All Through the Night" seems almost better than the classic version. The Lauper classic anthem "Girl Just want to Have Fun" backed up by Puffy AmiYumi and it works well. There are remixes of Lauper classics "She-Bop" and "True Colors", which proves after 25 years in the business, Cyndi can still belt them out.

This is a dual disk, a cd and a DVD which has 4 music videos and a documentary of the making of this CD.

So is this duet album worth it...YES. Pass on the MacLachlan duets, but this CD is great entertainment. Lauper is in great voice. and the pairs prove these songs of the 80;s still have merit

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

"Are you drunk?" might be an appropriate question after reading the title of this review. Sadly, the answer is no, and yet I still choose Cyndi Lauper's latest CD The Body Acoustic as a standout.

I was never a Lauper fan in the 80's. In fact, I was not much of an 80's music fan at all. Very little good music was made in the 80's, at least not on the pop side. While many critics would always extol the brilliance of Cyndi's music, as well as her ability to reinvent herself enabling her to continue being relevant in the ever-changing music scene. Around 2000 I was given a copy of her `classic' album She's So Unusual as proof I listened to it once, said `ick' and filed it in the `ol archives.

Well, reinvent indeed. Her latest CD is an acoustic project featuring many of her former hits in unique arrangements. I actually like it. From the opening viola/fiddle on the first track Money Changes Everything, you know this ain't the big hair Cyndi Lauper of the 80's. All Through the Night features an interesting Caribbean counter-melody' by Shaggy, which actually works. (who knew?)

The standout cut is a recast of her biggest hit Time After Time. Again, while it has always possessed some interesting chord progressions, I always dismissed it because it was Cyndi Lauper. But this arrangement with Sarah McLachlan, features a beautiful cello and a dulcimer, which Cyndi supposedly learned to play by studying Mel Bay books. The lyrics really are beautiful, a fact lost on me previously, based on the original arrangement.

Above the Clouds features a nice guitar track by Jeff Beck, albeit electric. Lauper's vocals on True Colors shows off her raspy, edgy voice. The last tune is a silly, yet fun ska arrangement of Girls Just Want to Have Fun, complete with a horn section.

If you can put out of your mind that this is a Cyndi Lauper album, you're in for a cool listening experience.

Based on the previous reviews here, along with the fact Sarah McLachlan collaborated, my expectations were quite high for this CD. While in some songs I was disappointed, in others I was pleased.

Some of the songs that I have listened to over and over again so far are: Money changes everything, time after time, above the clouds, shine and waters edge. While others leave me annoyed at the new style- such as she bop and girls just wanna have fun (the version on her grtst. hits is MUCH better!). All through the night, I'm on the fence on, the song is good, but Shaggy sounds ridiculous.

An added bonus to this cd was the dvd on the reverse side which had video's to Shine, Money and Above the Clouds. However, the "behind the scenes", are lackluster and full of nothing. Overall, the cd was worth the buy, for a Cyndi fan.