Customer Reviews

Deborah Cox

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I first bourght the album on the basis of the songs 'Sentimental' and 'Who Do You Love'. From hearing just these two songs I knew Deborah had a talent in her voice and in her abilty to perform a variety of music styles. The album was even better than I expected. Deborah's voice manages to achieve emotions in what she is singing so that we actually feel and can relate to the lyrics of her songs in more than a linear form; we can feel what Deborah feels the songs are about! With a great mix of writers and producers, in 1995, this album was one of my most prized; containing a range of songs, utilising the genre to its full extent. The album features also, tracks which Deborah ha co-written, showing that she not only has a beautiful voice, but the girl can make her own music, based around her own experiences. 4-stars for this album, only because you can tell the songs are a few years dated (compared to 1999), however they have held up well to the changing R&B scene! I urge you all to buy this album - you won't be disapointed!

Ok, so with this, her debut album, Deborah Cox shows us why she is quickly becoming one of R&B's leading female vocalists, rivaling the talents of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey & Faith Evans. At this point in her career, she was just beginning, hence some of the downfalls to the disc, which we will get to later. For now, let's deal with the goods (not all of 'em though - I've only got 1000 words!):

1) Check out the vocals on "Where Do We Go From Here" - this is just a prelude to the smash "Nobody's Supposed To Be Here". This song is a beautiful track which was robbed in it's chart action when released as a single in 1996. Deborah sings it with all of her soul, and she co-wrote it as well!

2) "The Sound Of My Tears". Another track that was robbed as a single when released in 1996. Deborah really makes you believe in what she is singing.

3) "Who Do U Love" in both of it's forms. The original version (which WAS Deborah's highest charting single before "Nobody's Supposed To Be Here") is a pure pop/R&B confection which is begging to be consumed. Then you have your "Morales Remix" as well (Deborah's first #1 on the dance charts), a great radio edit which shows us why Deborah is quickly becoming a leading dance diva as well.

4) Look at the producer roster - Dallas Austin (Brandy, For Real) on "Sentimental" and "My Radio", Keith Crouch & Kipper Jones (Brandy) on "The Sound Of My Tears", Babyface (Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston) on "My First Night With You" - which he produces with Keith Andes - and David Morales (remixes for Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson) who shows his remix work on "Who Do U Love".

The only actual downfalls to this disc are the fact that some of the songs have become dated quickly. With no fault of Deborah's mind you, it's just that the face of R&B has changed in the past 4 to 5 years since this album has been released.

Pick this one up. One of my most listened to cd's of 1995-1996.

Being on the same label as Whitney Houston, new Canadian singer, Deborah Cox was expected to shine, and be the 'next' Whitney. She has put on the same shoes Whitney wore, and is wearing them with confidence!

This album combines soulfull R&B tracks, with great pop songs, and romantic ballads. The songs "My first night with you" and "The sound of my tears" are incredible songs, which should have been released. Deborah uses her brilliant voice to create the beautiful ballad "Where do we go from here", and the Diane Warren written "Never gonna Break my heart Again" was a sure-fire #1.

Other highlights include 'Who do u love', 'Sentimental', 'I'm you natural woman', and 'It could've been you'.

The only low part is the - almost 6 minute 'Just be good to me' which could have,(should have ) ended mintues before is does! It drags on too long.

Other than that, this album is just as good as anything Whitney has put out, if not better!

Deborah is certain to stick around for years and years. Buy this album, and you'll know what I mean!

RYAN BARROWMAN

This album was a great debut for Deborah...This album is very pop compared to her last album(witch was more R&B, not to mention a little better too). But this album does contain a few gems including "Who Do You Love" witch is the song that turned me into a Deborah fan, also "Sentimental" and her version of "Just Be Good To Me".

This is a classic R&B album. Ms. Cox gets my vote for queen of R&B, vocally shes right there with Whitney. I have all of her albums and this one is still my favorite effort from Ms. Cox. My favorite cuts are It could have been you,My Radio,Call Me, Just be good to me, and Sentimental. This is probably not a cd Id recommend for kids or teenagers, It has a very formal mature R&B sound. If you can appriciate vocals than you should definately pick this album up because theres nothing out there right now that comes close. She executes her songs with class and elegence, and yes ladies and gentelmen she takes it there.Bravo Deborah

This album is a very good debut....even better than her follow-up I think. But I wouldn't compare her to Whiney Houston like some reviewers have. She doesn't have the same range as Whitney. I think she has more of a Toni Braxton style, although not as deep a voice as Toni. But if you are a fan of Toni's you will be sure to like Deborah as well. This is a very good r&b album, with some great ballads as well as dance tracks. Check it out!

Unfortunately Ms. Cox after releasing her outstanding debut CD decided to go after a larger audience and abandon her R&B roots. Congratulations... now she is a star but her music is horrible. Such a pity because her debut disc is so filled with emotion, energy and power that I return to it over and over again. I'm particularly fond of Where Do We Go From Here, Who do you love, and I'm your natural woman. They're timeless. At the time I thought I had found an artist that I would be listening to for the next 15 years or so. Sad to say that hope has been dashed because that latest bunch of junk that she put out sounds like fingernails on a blackboard. I just hope she decides to do some quality work again after she makes all her money.

The disc itself only gets 4 stars because a few of the cuts are a bit light and some are flat out bad. But it's still one of th e best discs of the year overall and I highly recommend a purchase.

Deborah sounds like a vocal Whitney Houston in training, with the soulful coo of Kelly Clarkson with occasional material of old-school Toni Braxton here. And yes, that's a huge compliment since I think Whitney (like Oprah named her) was "The Voice" back from the 80's to '95. No one was comparable vocally. I say the soulful coo of Miss Clarkson because although Kelly ususally belts, she also croons at times which is oh so convincing. The Toni Braxton reference shouldn't really have to be broken down.

The material here is contemporary R&B, adult contemporary and urban dance cuts. Deborah works it to the bone. Her vocals are honey-dipped but forceful. She commands the stage and there is no bad filler here. Just maybe two tracks that are pleasant enough to pass the time (the light, jazzy air of "Sound Of My Tears" and "My Radio" which is still pleasant).

The rest of the material is supple though. The album opens up with two of Deborah's singles "Sentimental" and "Who Do You Love" (which do it justice but are far from the album's best tracks). Next is my favorite track on the album "I'm Your Natural Woman" which just astounds me. Deborah tends to stick with her sexy coo during the verses and usually belts beautifully during the choruses. The song is wonderful, speaking on on how a woman will give her all to a man even if he doesn't exactly feel the same. This one is about unrequited love. It's adult contemporary but it is so convincing and beautiful you probably won't care even if you couldn't care about that genre generally. A key track. "Call Me" (my former favorite) and "My Radio (previously mentioned) bring in a more urban feel. The former is a great track that brings in soft verses and louder choruses.

"Never Gonna Break My Heart" is a precious R&B ballad that I just eat up every time. Another favorite, Deborah provides a convincing performance and the vocals are so inspired switching from quiet to belted. "It Could Have Been You" is back to the urban theme which explains how a former lover is now going with a friend of Deborah's and she tells him that they both could do better, especially him. Basically wanting them to get back together. "My First Night With You" is the same song that Mya covered a few years later with that great long note at the end. However, while it took a long time for me to like this song before I heard this album for myself on my iPod, Deborah's version trumps hers in so many ways. Mya's is cool and all but her vocals are weak on said track. Not so with Deborah's version you can imagine. Just all-around beautifully sung and one of the most vulnerable deliveries.

"Just Be Good To Me" would be one of the tracks to download but isn't included because some people may find the material about "having a man that has a lot of girls and loving you at the same time and how you just want him to treat you right and things would be all good". Yeah. Not the best idea for a real relationship, but the delivery is solid and the track is very upbeat which is a change of pace compared to some of the other tracks. "Who Do U Love (Morales Mix) is way better than the "just good" single. It's way more upbeat obviously but vocal delivery is sped up which makes it inviting. "Where Do We Go From Here" leaves the album off on a power ballad note. Great closer.

I'm speechless when it comes to speaking about and experiencing this album. When I heard it playing when my mom owned the album a few years ago, I was bored with it. I was also disappointed that I would have to go elsewhere to hear "Nobody's Supposed To Be Here". However, after digesting this by myself with headphones there is very little competition with this album in my collection and elsewhere. It's a bonafide classic. Only George Michael's "Faith" rivals this disc in my collection (although they are both about the same).

4.8 stars.

DOWNLOAD:
"I'm Your Natural Woman"
"Never Gonna Break My Heart Again"
"My First Night With You"
"It Could Have Been You" &
"Call Me"

HONORABLE MENTION(s):
"Who Do U Love (Morales Mix)"
"Where Do We Go From Here"

SKIP:
NOTHING.

We got another winner here, Deborah was a perfect stranger to me, in fact when i saw her cd i thought " Another Whitney Houston Wannabe?¡uff...!" but i was wrong, i heard his track 1 "Sentimental" and i realized that girl is not just another mediocre singer. Then i heard " Who do U love" and the remix version, that's enough to buy it. After some time i start to find new favourites songs in this Cd..."Never gonna break my Heart Again" "Where do we go from Here" and my nowadays favourite is " Just Be Good To Me"...So my advice to U is, buy it.

This is an amazing album, by an amazing artist, home to the same record label as Whitney Houston. She has a voice for sure! The ballads on this cd are remarkable, such as The Sound Of my Tears, My First Night With You, Where Do We Go From Here and more. Then she goes upbeat on great songs like Sentimental, Who Do U Love, Im Your Natural Woman, It Could Of Been You and more. This is a must listen cd, you must hear it she is a hidden treasure in Canada, and she has recently broke through to the US but if you havent heard her you will not be disapointed to check this out, you wont regret it!