Customer Reviews

The Dana Owens Album

5 star:		(163)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

We all know her as Queen Latifah, but despite forging an amazing career as a Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and an acclaimed TV and Film actress (even garnering an Oscar nom for her spirited work in the film version of CHICAGO), it seems Latifah (aka Dana Owens, her birth name, which she uses on this album) has been hiding another one of her many talents--a rich velvety, nuanced voice perfect for singing jazz standards and various eclectic gems from the Great American Songbook.

To be honest she had shown us a glimpse of this talent-for those of us who were paying attention-when she crooned a stunning version of Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" for the soundtrack of the underrated Holly Hunter vehicle LIVING OUT LOUD. Not surprisingly, Owens also did a remarkable job of co-starring in that film, supporting Hunter with an expertise not shown by most artists of her generation.

Is there anything Owens can't do?

Well, before getting too carried away with exultant praise for this wonderful lady, let me just say that she isn't 100% successful on this, her first full out jazz/r&b/soul album.

Owens is definitely a gifted song interpreter (no doubt her acting experience comes in handy on this set), and she uses it to great effect on remakes of such classics as "Baby Get Lost", "California Dreamin'", "Hello Stranger", "Close Your Eyes" and the aformentioned "Lush Life" (which is still the strongest song of this new set). But she also shows her r&b/soul roots on mellow, "quiet storm" styled tracks like the sensual "Simply Beautiful", the raucous "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh".

There's nothing inherently wrong with Owens' delivery. While not gifted with the largest range in the biz, she definitely knows how to play with the highs (a soft higher range that is pleasing to the ear) and she definitely excels at the guttural lows we know her for so well.

The problem is that sometimes the production works against her. It's hard to put my finger exactly on what about the production doesn't click, but there is almost too much of a smooth sheen on the material, to much of an MOR patina, that isn't natural to Owens' nature. We want her to sing dirtier...to be more Pearl Bailey and less Nancy Wilson, more Eartha Kitt and less Dinah Washington and yet the production keeps reigning her in, when you sense she really wants to break loose and be wild.

There's a strength behind Owens' voice, an almost masculine intensity, that paired with her feminine sweetness could have made for quite an emotional range with the proper production and perhaps a more risky song selection, but instead her tougher side is harnessed and sometimes you want it to run free...like she did so successfully with "When You're Good To Mama" in the film version of CHICAGO. What Owens does best is play in that space between raunchy and classy, and this CD tries too desperately to push her into the "classy" arena of supper clubs and mellow singers chirping over the chink of champagne glasses. In the process, the production somewhat muzzles the bite that the Queen could otherwise have.

Definitely a strong effort, but I look forward to a more edgy set for her 2nd outing in this arena. But you've got to give the Lady credit for trying something new. While most artists of her generation are content doing the same thing over and over, it's nice to see the Queen take a well calculated risk.

The moment I finished listening to this CD, my knee-jerk reaction was simple: MORE! Queen Latifah proves she is as comfortable performing classic songs as she is doing rap. Her fans knew her talents as a rap artist; it is no surprise that she can pull this switch into more classic tunes without a hitch. (After all, she sang wonderfully in the movie Chicago without a rap format.)

Her voice is strong, sensuous, and just plain wonderful to listen to. Al Green also joins her in singing "Simply Beautiful," a song Green himself wrote.

The selected songs combine to form a very strong, unified set that is ecstasy to listen to the way you want to, maybe just relaxing or perhaps with a glass of fine wine. The quality of the music is excellent and the cover photo of Dana is beautiful. You don't get lyrics to the songs but the credits are there.

In short, BUY THIS CD! You won't be sorry! GRIN

I love Queen Latifah (Dana Owens) and embrace all the things that she has come to represent, most of all, her obvious love for music beyond the realm of hip hop. However, that said, The Dana Owens album is something of an unremarkable experience. Does she have the chops? Definitely! It's not a question of talent (or lack thereof) and the arrangements and production values are of the highest caliber and Latifah's love and admiration for these songs are evident from the get go. Everyone involved seemingly gave it all they had, but, ultimately, it feels too deliberate and, at times, forced. There is no real sense of spontaneity and discovery. The voice is supple, the musicians first rate, the sound quality excellent and like I stated before, the production is flawless, but it's more a luke warm experience than a revelatory one. The sole exception is a wonderfully velvety smooth and uncontrived rendition of "Hard Times." Here Ms. Owens hits her stride with a flexible vocal technique and natural delivery. Irrespective of everything, though, I continue to love the "Queen" and shall support her in all her efforts, even if I am not always necessarily thrilled with the end results.

Some reviewers don't get it (see the reference to Jill Scott). This isn't about past albums where Queen Latifah represented her attitude. It's an album for those who have outgrown (or bypassed) the mindless "stuff" played on MTV.
Her selections are beautiful, her voice is stellar ... the album exudes class. To me, it seems to have a bit more kick than Diana Krall.

The Dana Owens album proves that Queen Latifah can really sing. I loved listening to this album very much. My favorite track is Mercy Mercy Mercy. She sounds so good singing this song. I think her voice has so much power and energy. I think she really sings from the heart here. I loved the horns in the background on this track too. Baby Get Lost is a sassy track with attitude, and I loved it Queen Latifah really gives her listeners a taste of what R and B music sounded like it in the 40's.

Another highlight track for me is the song California Dreaming. This performance is so soulful and excellent. It is a great song. I think Queen Latifah's cover of this song is the best one I've ever heard. Queen Latifah sounds so sexy and smooth on Nina Simone's classic blues song I Put A Spell on You. She really makes this song her own. The legendary Herbie Hancock does an awesome job playing the piano on this track. I loved this song. I never heard of the song Close Your Eyes before, but I loved the way Queen Latifah sings this I just felt so relaxed listening to this track. Her vocal performance on this song is so good.

I like her rendition of the Bill Withers song Same Love. It is a classic R and B song from the 70's I think Queen Latifah does a great job singing this song. The Dana Owens album is a pleasant surprise.

Count me among those who greatly admire this album. Admittedly, it's probably not for her hip-hop fans. But for (ahem) older folks, lovers of standards and jazz, and, well, lovers and romantic partners, it's wonderful. I hope these efforts were supported enough by her label and fan base so that there will be a follow-up CD. All hail the Queen!

I heard 2 tracks on this CD on the radio which I liked so I decided to buy the CD. Well, I was in for such a surprise; the CD is absolutely fantastic! I played it over and over. Queen Latifah's voice is so amazing I wondered why she hid it all these years under the rap genre. Her vocal range and the choice of songs are really "music to the ears". I highly recommend this CD - its a musical delight and I want more!

Queen Latifah is a treasure! This CD arrived in the mail today. I put it in my portable CD player and took a walk. I think everybody on the walking path thought I was nuts. I couldn't stop smiling. I think I even whooped out loud a couple of times. This CD is great! She's great! I've been waiting for this CD ever since seeing her in Living Out Loud. Do not hesitate to buy this CD. You will not be disappointed.

I first heard the tracks to this CD off of RealPlayer's Free Listening Parties. Honestly, I didn't have any high expectations for it...after all Queen Latifah is known partly for her comedy and rap, right? However, after hearing it for the first time, I was taken aback! She can do everything...and well, too! You can hear the strength of her character - her voice is definitely full of soul. Even my roommate asked "this is Queen Latifah?! you're kiddng"...she thought it was another Diana Krall! There's a taste of swing, original covers, soul, light rock, etc. all you need to sit back and relax. After continously listening to the cd, I had to find out if it was out yet..and for how much. I'm glad to see that this album is DEFINITELY worth the price...and I'm not one who usually buys cds!

Queen Latifah. Dana Owens. Whatever you want to call her, the woman is a gift. She is elegance, she is grace, she is class. And now with "The Dana Owens Album" she has proved it once again, this time to the music world. The Queen has entered the building, and she ain't never gonna be leavin'. Ya hear?

Her sass is still there, on the upbeat tracks such as "Baby Get Lost" and "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" and "Mercy Mercy Mercy." She won't let you forget that she IS still the Queen. Don't be fooled.

But we also get the exquisite treat of her more sensitive and mature side, on "Close Your Eyes", "I Put A Spell on You," "California Dreamin'" and of course the absolutely perfect "Lush Life," from "Living Out Loud," which was the first time I realized that this lady, while already immensely talented, was much more multi-talented than anyone initially thought. How wonderful that her career has blossomed so well since this initial outing.

There are not enough superlatives and not enough exclamations in the dictionary to represent how I feel after listening to this album over and over again. I will never tire of it, and I will never tire of her magical voice. I can't wait to see what she does next. If Queen Dana Latifah Owens has reinvented herself before--and she has--she just might do it again, and I will be anxiously awaiting the next move. Will she rap again? Possibly, but as a non-rap fan, I am hoping that she continues along this path and continues to grace us with that velvety smooth voice for years to come.