Customer Reviews

Dreaming Wide Awake

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Picked up this CD by chance and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Wonderful soulful, folkish voice. Softer than Tracy Chapman along the same lines almost as Norah Jones for sure, but in the package of a sistah. Definately not as Jazzy as Cassandra Wilson but that is okay because her voice holds itself well. Songs vary they do not all sound a like which is something that I definately look for in my CD's I have recently purchased about 20 CD's within the last 2 weeks and Liz has remained at the top of my WOULD buy for friends list.

In my CD player at home that plays random I keep this CD in if I am in the mood for some light relaxing music along with Kem "Kem", Norah Jones "Come Away with Me", Terence Blanchard "Flow", Ray LaMontagne "Trouble" and Michael Franks "Anthology-The Art of Love" GREAT CD's to just have on random selection you just can't go wrong.

Respectfully Reviewed

The much acclaimed, young singer, Lizz Wright, starts out this sophomore album with a terrific version of "A Taste of Honey", done here as a duet with Bill Frisell's bottleneck acoustic guitar. Imagine Robert Johnson doing this tune, and you have the idea. It does exactly what an opener is supposed to do, which is to grab your attention and make you listen further.

Yet, for as good as her original title track is, strangely enough I think the cut that defines this album is Ms. Wright's take on the old Tin Pan Alley tune, "I'm Confessin'." This album is a confessional. But when I think of this tune, I think of the dramatic way Lena Horne used to do it. This is no Lena Horne copy: Ms. Wright does the song as a confessional to a kind, loving God.

And the whole album is like that. The old Youngbloods tune, "Get Together", is done as though the whole world really could "get together, right now." Marc Anthony Thompson drops by for a cover of his "When I Close My Eyes", and as done here, Ms. Wright makes it sound like something Marvin Gaye might have done from "What's Goin' On." This is one of those albums where you can definitely say that "God was in the House that day."

Ms. Wright has a strong contralto, reminiscent of Cassandra Wilson's. But nothing here is sung above mezzo-forte; and if you take out "Trouble" and "Stop", above a mezzo piano. In that sense, she's more like Shirley Horn. Really, she's an original: people in the future will be comparing other singers to Lizz Wright. One thing is for certain: Lizz Wright has one of the most superbly controlled voices among all modern popular music singers.

If you are about to embark on an uncomfortable journey on an airplane, and you need calming, don't take a valium. Instead, put this album into your Ipod and listen. This is alpha wave music, guaranteed to put your alpha waves in order. Through the first 6 months of 2005, this album is truly one of the best of the year. RC

Lizz Wright's sophomore album "Dreaming Wide Awake" can be summed up in one word; bold. The soulful vibe is apparent throughout the album with the help of Lizz's sultry voice; although deep in range, it can be simultaneously powerful yet subtle. Although not as jazz-oriented as her debut "Salt," it is easily just as compelling. Highlights include the title track "Dreaming Wide Awake," the bittersweet "Hit The Ground," the smooth "I'm Confessin'," the serene "A Taste of Honey," and my favorite track, the sexy and soothing "Stop," a cover song by Joe Henry (and personally, I'll take Lizz Wright's rendition over Madonna's any day). The one thing noticeable about this album is the semi-non-acoustic approach, which can be both good and bad. It's bad because most would immediately categorize it as run-of-the-mill lounge music. On the contrary, it's a cappella characteristic allows the listener to appreciate the voice, rather than over-producing and therefore covering up. Although it won't appeal to all, "Dreaming Wide Awake" is ultimately an album that is sufficient in exceptional songs and is only lacking in an audience.

Lizz is rightfully on her way to earning the title of the "modern day Nina Simone". On this follow up album to the powerful, soulful, jazzy, and extremely heartfelt 'Salt' debut, Lizz expands her repetoire to include a more earthly and raw sound. Her voice is unbelievable and her pure talent is undeniable. My favorite track on this new record is by far "Trouble", but there are many other favorites to speak about. Take a listen and you will know...this young princess is on her way to becoming a Queen!

If, after listening to the song samples here on Amazon, you think you might like this CD, buy it and you won't be disappointed. I can't fathom why anyone who likes the general Lizz Wright/Norah Jones style of music (not trying to lump them together or anything) wouldn't love this CD. Her voice is incredible, the music is relaxing and moving at the same time, the lyrics ring true. Really a good CD. Her first album is more diverse in sound and style from song to song, but this newest release is so strong I can't find fault with the consistency it displays.

I respectfully disagree with some of the reviewers on here and I'm gonna explain why. First off, Lizz strikes me as one of those artists that truly follows whatever path their muse takes them. In this case, she winds up embracing a sparser, more acoustic sound on her sophomore release which nicely serves to frame her thick-as-molasses, sweet-as-honey vocals in the process. Second of all, I had the honor and good fortune of actually seeing Lizz perform live with her band at an indie music retailer here in LA just recently. All I have to say is that if you didn't like the direction she went in this time because of how radically different the arrangements were compared to her more jazz-laden debut, the sizable crowd that showed up certainly had no problem with it! They were too busy being mesmerized by Wright's powerful voice and how it seemed to inspire her bandmates to play even better as a result. YES, I do believe her star truly shines brightest in a live setting. I mean when she sings it's as if she's making love to the audience (and I mean that in the most SINCERE way possible, lol!).

I think if there's one thing Lizz can still work on, it would probably have to be the inclusion of more originals on her next album (my sole reason for not giving this CD 5 stars). I already knew she had the voice, but man does she flex considerable chops in the songwriting dept! One of my favorite tracks from her new release just happens to be Trouble, which is one of her own compositions. She wound up perfoming it as a fitting way to close out the set that day and proceeded to cut loose right then and there. I really feel it has the potential to be a signature song for her down the road.

I honestly don't know what Verve is up to these days, but they better get the ball rolling with Lizz FAST because the way I see it she's their lone ace in the hole at this point and I get the feeling they're not even aware of it. So to all of you: PLEASE support her by buying her music and attending her live shows! There's no telling when you might see or hear another one like her ever again if she winds up fading into obscurity due to lack of promotion on her label's part.

Envision the warm vocal styling of Tanika Tikaram and Tracy Chapman blended with a dash of Norah Jones panache and you've got the end result of this musical treasure from Lizz Wright.
This CD is a musical investment.

Lizz delivers a beautiful compelling product that shall continue to sound fresh and entertaining long after Britney faded into the obscure ranks of musical trivia. It will remain playable in ten years from now - marking the makings of a true musical masterpiece.

On this product, Lizz takes some classic pop standards and totally reinvents the musical direction of the song. Her simplistic and direct vocal styling is mesmerizing.
Do yourself a favor, treat yourself to the musical elegance of Lizz Wright.

(...)

Even crippled with minimal top 40 airplay and a lack of promotional investement from the label, possitive word of mouth from music fans has continuously pushed this product towards the top of the sales charts.

Don't hesitate, this CD is really worth your time and money.

Incredible! Every now and then I find a CD so impressively good, or bad that I feel I need to write something about it (mainly because it's rare these days that I find a CD that's complete one way or the other). This might be one of the most adventurous projects of any recent jazz vocalist I've heard. Nora Jones only wishes she had this type of raw talent and musical soul. If you listen carefully you might hear similarities to Lalah Hathaway, Oleta Adams, Tracy Chapman, even Joni Mitchell but Lizz Wright has her own rich, clean sound. She's not afraid to tackle any genre from jazz to folk rock and make it sound better than the original. This CD doesn't fit into any one category except brilliant. I think we do her an injustice by marketing it as jazz because it's so much more. If you liked "Salt", you'll love "Dreaming Wide Awake".

I saw her in concert and the next night I drove to another state to see her again. Wow, she does sound better than her recordings. Her voice is so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. Genre? I love jazz, folk, blues... Hey, its roots. She's beautifully and purely Lizz. I can't wait till she gets back to the states. You can't hold a moon beam in your hand.

Lizz Wright, with her full, rich contralto, captured my interest from the first notes of her first song, "A Taste of Honey," not usually one of my favorite songs, but sounding completely new--and even exciting!--in her hands. With a guitar, bass, and subtle percussion accompaniment, Wright confidently interprets the lyrics of this standard, creating new meanings without sounding "folky" with her guitar accompaniment. She continues this approach with "Stop," another wonderful song with minor-keyed overtones, and the addition of a piano-like keyboard accompaniment.

Throughout the CD, for which she has written or co-written three of the songs, she keeps things simple, often combining a funky beat with a simple guitar accompaniment, as she effortlessly combines folk, jazz, pop, and soul in unique ways. Occasionally, as in "Hit the Ground," she includes backup singers, but the overall mood throughout the CD is easy and mellow--and simple. Neil Young's "Old Man" never sounded so rich, complete, and beautiful, and her own title song, "Dreaming Wide Awake," a quiet, mysterious song with a long instrumental introduction, is moody and contemplative.

With a voice that can do anything without ever sounding harsh or abrasive, Wright is a fantastic new talent, capable of appealing to lovers of '60s folk, jazz, or soul. In this CD, with an accompaniment that emphasizes the guitar and a light bass and percussion, she creates her own sound, bringing traditional lyrics to life and setting off her new songs. She is not imitating Billie Holiday (though she sang some Holiday songs in a road show), nor is she following in the steps of Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, or the great folk and soul singers. A genuinely unique performer who never sounds "rushed," she is on her way to her own kind of stardom in this second album. The sky is the limit for Lizz Wright. n Mary Whipple