Customer Reviews

Dionne

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am glad this album was finally reissued on CD -- and the sound is excellent. I have two questions, though. Why was it reissued with such cut-rate packaging? There are so many reissues on CD these days that have better notes (there are none here) and try to reproduce the original packaging. That said, it's good to have the CD at such a low price.

But why, after all, are the songs re-arranged into a different order that doesn't reflect the original album? It seems an odd move -- especially since it probably took more time to shuffle the order than simply just to copy what had, presumably, been an artistic decision.

If any one has an answer, please post it here. But don't hesitate to buy this. It's Dionne Warwick's finest album (her Bachrach-David heyday produced her greatest songs -- but they were memorable singles).

DIONNE is a nostalgic album for me in the sense it was released in 1979 just after having seen Barry Manilow for the 6th time in concert (I have seen him 16 times more since - see my Barry Reviews too!). Dionne Warwick has one of those memorable industry voices and she has quite a library of hits herself. Why do I mention this? He wrote, produced, arranged and sang on this album for Dionne. The biggest single release that came from this album was of course, I'll Never Love This Way Again'.

However some of my favorites are the rerecording of Barry's own `All The Time' (with Barry on Piano) and the new `Deja Vu' are subtle ballads that expose this woman's velvet voice. Now since this was the late 70's there are two upbeat, disco reminiscent songs like `Out Of My Hands' - and my personal favorite `Who, What, When, Where, Why?'.

Now you want love songs with strings and full orchestras? `After You', `Feeling Old Feelings', `In Your Eyes' and `My Everlasting Love' are the songs for you and the romantic buried deep inside all of us. And there is even a cover song, `The Letter', which is done is a catchy toe-tapping rock rhythm style where she must have had a great time recording. The orchestrations of the strings and background vocals are signature to Barry Manilow and rise up to the heavens - as it were.

Dionne has been always one of my favorite singers and performers. She is still around and her career has spanned 4 decades. DIONNE - the album - is one of those pinnacle leaps in here career. Thanks to her tremendous talents and Barry creative help and support - she remains a star. She has a velvet voice to me. Get this one - you'll be impressed. (9-202)

After a bevy of hits from Bacharach and David during the 1960's, Warwick was ending the 70's with little fanfare. However, when she got together with Barry Manilow, a winning combination was born. This is one of the best recordings from the 1979, if not the entire decade. Besides the monster hits "I'll Never Love This Way Again" and "After You," the disc also has an outstanding rendition of the classic "The Letter." Up-tempo numbers include "Who, What, When, Where, Why" and "Out of My Hands," a disco-perfect selection that features Warwick, as she does so well, providing her own background accompaniment.

The piece de resistance, however, is "Déjà Vu," a song co-written by Isaac Hayes and Adrienne Anderson. This Grammy-winning tune is one of the most stirring tunes ever written, a deft blend of soul and pop that showcases Warwick as being capable of sultriness while maintaining her unique classy style.

It is about time that Arista/BMG re-released an album of the legendary Dionne Warwick's with all the original songs intact. This is not a compilation of hits. It is Warwick's successful 1979 project produced by Barry Manilow. For the most astute Warwick fan this is a must. The CD has two Grammy winning songs, "Deja Vu" (written by Isaac Hayes) and "I Know I'll Never Lover This Way Again". Twenty years ago, Warwick could really hit the notes without much effort. My favorite B-sides on this memorable LP are "After You", "All The Time" and a cover of The Doors' "The Letter". Add this to your collection. Support a diva. After nearly forty years in the public eye, Miss Dionne Warwick is just that-- a much underrated and often over looked diva of the highest caliber. VH1 has yet to pay homage to the diva that put Bacharach songs on the map. Why? Why?

Great that this album was finally re-released on CD. Warwick's voice is at her best and the songs are just fantastic.

But what about all her other brilliant Arista albums from around the same time ? When are they gonna be re-released on CD?

Dionne Warwick hit a winner with this infectious offering. Produced by Barry Manilow the tunes have his direct influence. Yet the songs sound so much better on her and I've heard him sing some of the songs on this album. After You, All the time are soaring efforts that lift the spirit no matter how bad things are. Deja Vu? is a classic. The album makes you long for the days when you could just put on a record and lay back never having to get up again until it was time to flip it on the other side. Every song a winner. To use a well used cliche They don't make em like this anymore. Sad to say

....this shows the stuff great vocalists are made of. Put down those CDs of the latest top 100 female artists, get this now and listen to Lady Satin finesse and caress these tunes. The woman is a pleasure to listen to, this is a primo product at a price for the budget-impaired like me and, trust me, you will not be disappointed...

Directed and produced by Manilow, he knew exactly what Dionne needed. A power ballad like "(I Know) I'll Never Love this Way Again"...it is a stupendous presentation. Isaac Hayes lends some songwriting and producing skills to the great, mellow "Deja Vu"-- (Dionne and Isaac did an album of duets in the late 70s, early 80s and their chemistry was magical.) "Who, What, Where..." reminds me of her Bacharach/David tunes. And although many of the reviewers below didn't care for it, I kinda dug her version of the Box Top's "The Letter".

You know I rampage about CDs being taken out of catalog, never to be found again. This is the listener's opportunity to get one of the great ones. It just does not get too much better than this, music lovers....

This grammy winning comeback Warwick release exhibits power and finesse throughout. If you are a Warwick fan from any era and haven't heard this release get it and become a fan all over again. Next released should be 'friends in love" and "no night so long" in full form!

First off I feel the need to say I have never been a die hard fan of Dionne Warwick.I often thought her style of music was more my parent's taste---old-fashioned and too tame for my liking ( remember Alfie, Do You Know the Way to San Jose?). Now, as a 30 year old, my own tastes in music have changed and expanded for hopefully the better. I have to say I purchased this cd on the only favorite Warwick song of mine Deja Vu. Knowing that one of the masters of soul Isaac Hayes provided the music made me also understand why the track sounds oh so soulful and seductive. This album is not just about a couple of sensual love ballads but there's so much classy and great pop-sensibility to this 1979 project that it's hard not to see why Ms. Warwick has been in the business for some time. And her family does not fall short in the musical/talent department;in the 80's her cousin Whitney Houston would follow with as much greatness !

Dionne sounds relaxed and oh so confidence on this release. Her voice is at it vocal peak, and is much fuller than her 60's efforts, but still with greatest of range. Dionne here as in most of her recording displays the vocal skills of one of the greatest singers of all time. She won two Grammy Awards for her efforts here. To me they should have given her a life time achivement award for this record alone. It is everything that a great record should be: well written, produced and sang with the most beautiful of efforts. One of my favorite Dionne efforts of all time, if you have never purchased a Dionne cd...try this you will like it.