Don't Ask

Tina Arena | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 30, 1996)
• Original Release Date: April 30, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002BGY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,531 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Kept Secret, March 16, 2002

By 

J. M. Zuurbier (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Ask (Audio CD)

One of Australia's best hidden secrets is Tina Arena. She has a unique, powerful voice, which has great range in terms of what is sung on this album. In fact a lot of other singers have covered many of Tina's songs. Most people know Tina for her huge hit "Chains" which was the most added song to American radio in history, yet it failed to make a huge impact on the chart. Her haunting vocals and emotional depth bring this, and other songs alive. This album, DONT ASK, was released in Australia in 1994, and in the US in 1996. While "Chains" was the only hit in the US, Australia had quite a few other singles. "That's The Way A Woman Feels", "Show Me Heaven", "Heaven Help My Heart" and others were hits overseas. "Chains" is a song about being trapped in a commitment, a relationship. "Heaven Help My Heart" is an honest portrayal of someone who makes bad choices in love, and a longing to find that perfect somebody. "Sorrento Moon" is about remembering love. The ballad "Wasn't It Good" is a song which remembers the relationship, sure it had problems, but wasn't it good? "Show Me Heaven" really shows off Tina's excellent vocals, she will give Celine a run for her money anyday. Its a beautiful song. "Love Is The Answer" is a dance song about love being the answer to the problems of the world. "Greatest Gift" is about love being the best gift in the world to give and to receive! "That's The Way A Woman Feels" is a fun dance song about the lengths a woman will go for her man. Those are just naming the best tracks, although all the songs on here are very good! Overall DONT ASK is one CD you will want to listen to! Come discover Tina Arena, and her beautiful voice and music.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every song is a hit in my book, April 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Ask (Audio CD)

This is a fantastic CD. It is not very often that I enjoy every song on a CD. This one has my vote. Tina Arena is definitely an up-in-comer. Her voice is clear and the music is original. I was watching VHI one day and "Chains" came on. It stopped me dead in my tracks and captivated me. I went out that day and bought the CD "Don't Ask." It remains one of my all time favorite CDs. I wish she would make more.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dont Ask Just listen, and enjoy the experience, June 27, 2000

By 

J. Derek Reardon (KC, MO, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Ask (Audio CD)

In 1995, I heard an amazing artist execute a stunning live performance of her huge hit "Chains." I quickly learned the artist was Tina Arena, and urged on by a combination of this phenomenal song and performance with my love of all things Australian, I quickly ran out and bought the single and album. Having had a hand in the writing as well as lending her phenomenal voice, Don't Ask is a great introduction to a worldwide audience of this awesome artist. Filled with power, emotion, and fun tunes, Tina Arena delivers a top-notch release from Down Under.

The album starts off on a sultry and rockin' attitude vibe with "Chains," an incredible vocal tour de force with a maturity and depth matched by its driving rhythm. More of your standard guitar and drum pop song, "Heaven Help My Heart" is filled in with Tina's great voice and harmonies. "Sorrento Moon (I Remember)" takes on a Latin salsa flavor and shows a softer side of Tina's voice. A beautiful strings and piano ballad, I would like to hear a bit more emotion and range with this vocal showcase piece; the sultry and jazzed-up ending shows what the song could have evolved into. "Message" is a sultry funk trip with a Sade tip that pushes the power of Tina's voice to the front where you have to face it head on, jaw dropped and mesmerized. "Show Me Heaven" brings us another song that matches the power of Tina's voice with powerful orchestrations; this is an emotional power ballad that will have you on your feet, swaying and singing along. Another standard pop tune with a bit of r&b flavor, "Love is the Answer" is executed well but could have used an infusion of emotion to completely fill it out. A syncopated orchestral masterpiece, "Greatest Gift" is matched in orchestral beauty by an emotional and deep Tina and uplifting backing vocals. "That's the Way a Woman Feels" is classic power pop at its best and is a feel-good toe-tapper. A fitting follow-up, "Be A Man" is another power pop song with a bit more attitude and strut in its stride. We conclude with "Standing Up," a feel-good, hopeful organ and guitar strummin' pop tune that is inspirational, but it could have used a push from Tina's voice to put it over the edge and really get you ready to face whatever the world throws at you.

Overall, I give Don't Ask 4 stars. "Chains" and the amazing experience I had discovering and researching that song and Tina earn this release a special place in my heart. I will admit that I was somewhat disappointed that the power of "Chains" wasn't filtered more through the album. However, there's no denying Tina's talent and her amazing voice. I am happy to have found this musical experience and am proud to have it in my collection.

As a recommendation, fans of mid-90s pop with a slight European flair will enjoy the orchestrations, while fans of powerful female voices will surely appreciate Tina's talent. Fortunately, Tina is her own talent, and I don't really have anyone to compare her with - she just has to be heard to believe. Listen to these samples, then imagine them sounding 10 times better with the actual CD - that's what you'll get. And I suppose it's a good thing that there is a wide range of song styles here; an entire album of "Chains" would have been rather tiresome (tho I never do tire of that song).

Anyone who can sing as well live as Tina did at the World Music Awards with that much power and emotion gains my immediate respect. While the release might have been a little less than I was hoping for, Don't Ask is a great introduction to this talented woman and makes us look forward to future releases.