The Dreamer [IMPORT]

Tamyra Gray

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 25, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 25, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: 19 Recordings Europe
• ASIN: B00026WV9U
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (341 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #109,808 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

• This item is part of The American Idol Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Dreamer sets out to prove that the uproar over Tamyra Gray's too-early American Idol dismissal was justified, and mostly it succeeds. Several of these 13 tracks sound radio-ready--especially the sultry "Legend" and the show-offy, booty-shaking opener "Star"--while others simply underscore what millions of armchair talent scouts already know: even saddled with an ill-fitting genre, like the cliche-studded rocker "Faces," Tamyra will sing her way out of it. The record is in no way perfect--its surf through the musical-styles spectrum leaves listeners with the impression they're the subjects of an at-home experiment, albeit a pleasant one, and its lyrics could use a hearty shakedown from the trite police--but all told Tamyra nails a neat trick here, and that is to exalt the degree to which all ex-Idol hopefuls ought to be taken seriously. She pulls up the pack by dint of pure vocals and a poured-dry heart, and for that even Simon should shower her with props. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good debut album with a veteran flair..., May 26, 2004

By	Mr. Stanley M. Schmidt "boymitch" (Rockford, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's a bit sad that this album was not promoted more by 19 Entertainment - yep, that's the American Idol sponsor/organization. Sure, they had her sing on American Idol twice, but as for a "real" advertising blitz - nothing. They sure took the cheap way out, which bugs me a little. With that said...

I'm also a little annoyed by some of the reviewers on Amazon.com. They are heavily and unfairly critiquing the songwriting on this album. Well, if they had taken ONE MINUTE to read the liner notes, they would have seen Tamyra was the primary songwriter for the entire album! This is her first voyage into songwriting for an album, so it's not going to be PERFECT...BUT, this album does have a veteran flavor that most debuts don't. I give you two thumbs up Tamyra, for your songwriting.

As for the vocals, you can't get much better. Every song is a quality performance, filled with emotion and style. The actual music component is very good, as well. The melodies are fresh, enough key changes for hard-to-please listener and high replayability factor.

My favs on the album are: Raindrops Will Fall (sure to be a Top 10 hit), Legend, The Only Thing, Don't Stop, Good Ol' Days and Like A Child.

Bottom Line: This is couple steps above your typical American Idol fodder. Maybe even three steps! Bravo Tamyra!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's all about the voice., June 23, 2004

By	J. Martin "ffej26" (Woodside, NY) - See all my reviews

The debut album from Tamyra Gray is a nice collection of pop and classic r&b. It's a fine effort for a debut album. It perfectly showcases her powerful, if sometimes forced, voice. Should Tamyra have won American Idol? No she shouldn't have, but she certainly should have been the one to battle it out with Kelly. The songs are perfectly crafted, always letting Tamyra be the star of the song, and not the production. However, a few songs aren't that memorable. I've listened to the album at least a dozen times and I can only recall 4 songs. The first being the opening track Star. It's a great way to open the cd, it's got a catchy chorus and a fun beat. Raindrops will Fall is stunning. It's probably one of the best power ballads in years. Faces, has a rock edge reminiscent of her duet You Thought Wrong with Kelly Clarkson. Her vocals are outstanding. Finally, the last song God Bless the Dreamer is an amazing ballad backed with a gosepl choir, and Tamyra shines hitting high note after high note and it's a perfect way to the end the cd. Other than that, the rest of the album is nice to listen to when you need something in the background.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Support This Talented Artist, May 29, 2004

By	Donna Reynolds (Syracuse, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I almost never give a CD 5 Stars, but Tamyra's "The Dreamer" is outstanding. There is simply nothing about it that I don't like! From start to finish, this talented young woman takes you on a musical journey that touches on a variety of themes and genres. She can rock, she can pop and she can groove. Tamyra has a beautiful voice and the fact that she had a hand in writing all but one song in this remarkable collection makes the music even more compelling. She wrote for her voice and everything works for her.

Tamyra has persevered and fought to get this released. She is getting virtually no support from 19 Recordings and it is up to the people who believe in her and who love this CD to help promote it. Buy it, don't burn it. I want to hear more from her.