Customer Reviews

The Freedom Sessions [EP]

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Why buy this CD if you already have Fumbling ?

Adding to what the other reviewers here have said..Freedom Sessions is the REAL deal. It definitely lends credence to the saying "Less is more". No embellishments. No remastering or whatever techno digital stuff that make songs sound better is used here. Just pure Sarah and her immense talent.

'Elsewhere' is transformed from a slow rock number to a rather catchy accoustic guitar version with Sarah singing in a low sexy drawl. 'Plenty' transforms from a dark moody number into a delightful acapella duet with Camille, her BG singer. A piano-accoustic guitar version 'Mary', freed from the synthesised sounds and monotonous drumming of the original, is like breathing in the fresh breeze of a countryside.

'Good Enough' is more than good enough for me with a orchestra-like background instead of the folk-pop sound of the original. 'Ice Cream', a very lighthearted accoustic version, is Sarah and Ash's (her husband) love song and a standard Valentine's Day dedication. 'Ice', a very edgy version with full-bodied bass and the amplifier turned to the maximum, is so different from the soft haunting mood of the original. Sometimes you gotta have a lot of wine and be merry..Ol 55 is the result of such merriment and it is as the reviewer said; good sloppy fun.

However, the highlight of this album, for me is 'Hold On'. Sarah's songs are generally sad but none really made me cry like this piano version of 'Hold On'. This song was written after Sarah watched a documentary on AIDS and was inspired by a woman's courage after her husband passed away. Hearing Sarah sing, you really feel the woman's pain and sorrow as she watches her husband slowly succumb to death. I can't help but cry when she quietly sings "Oh God, the man I love is leaving, won't you take him when he comes to Your door." Oh no, my eyes are tearing again!

This is music like it's supposed to be; true, free and unedited. Overall, an excellent CD !

I have long thought that Sarah's best work was done live. In the studio, her voice is smooth as silk, but rather dull. Live (or, here, acoustic) she is PHENOMENAL. Her voice has a raw edge and a little bit of a snarl to it, which is why songs like "Possession" and "Good Enough" are soooo much better on Mirrorball.

The tracks that stood out to me here were "Ice" and "Plenty"; however, there isn't a single track here that isn't wonderful.

Inside the cover of the Freedom Sessions, Sara writes that the "stronger versions" of these songs went on Fumbling....I don't understand how anyone could think that the Fumbling version of "Hold On" is stronger than the emotional, tear-jerking piano version found on The Freedom Sessions. This song is by far the best on this CD...I love how different some of the other songs sound with different chord changes. Elsewhere is a good example, with the Freedom version sounding much different that the original, but still good in its own way. I recommend this album to the dedicated Sara fan, but not so much to the casual listener, who would probably prefer her more commercial albums, "Fumbling towards Ecstacy" and "Surfacing".

After releasing such critically-acclaimed albums such as 'Solace' and 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' (which broke her in the USA), it was perhaps inevitable that an album such as 'The Freedom Sessions' should become available. On it we get to hear the original versions of fan favourites such as 'Hold On' and 'Good Enough'. A nice bonus is the inlay, which contains a comment by Sarah McLachlan on each of the tunes and what she liked about it.

Thankfully, this is not just a rehash of the popular songs sung in exactly the same style - it's genuinly different. For this reason alone, it's fantastic for any fan to get their hands on. Some songs such as 'Ice' are totally different, with this song being a lot faster on this album. Interestingly this doesn't take from the beautiful lyrics, which was something that is even more evident on the much later 'Remixed' album.

Another good reason to buy this album is the fact that there's an extra track, 'Ol' 55' available, as well as videos to some of Sarah's videos. This is especially good for anyone who hasn't seen the older videos such as 'Into The Fire' or 'Good Enough', which didn't achieve the chart success that Sarah's later albums like 'Surfacing' did. Perhaps people new to Sarah's music would be better off buying 'Solace' or 'Mirrorball', this is something for any big fan to cherish.

I bought this CD when it was first released and for many years it was my favorite CD (and I do mean Number One) out of my music collection. Over the last 10 years, only a couple of other CDs have come close matching the number of times I have played this. I don't understand why this is called an "oddity" by some reviewers. This was Sarah the way Sarah wanted to do those songs. I think they are even more beautiful and more emotional than on "Fumbling Towards Ecstacy", on which the production was influenced by others (not that they did anything bad on that great companion CD). I can't imagine anyone looking at this web page not loving this CD. To me it will always be Sarah's masterpiece.

Sarah McLachlan is a master at hiding things at the end of her discs, deep into a track. This one is no different. Hold On makes another appearance. Good. I love that song. I saw her at Lilith Fair in Minnesota, and i realized that for me to have been completely happy, she'd have to have played every song she has written (except Adia). And for that reason, i was incredibly happy to see Mary on The Freedom Sessions. This song simply does not get enough recognition. Simply beautiful. Another must listen is Ol' 55. It's my favorite on the disc. And the stripped down Hold On (just sarah and a piano) is aching. It is a must own for a Sarah fan.

A completely new rendition of "Hold On" that is worth buying this CD for. Trust me. I didn't like the song HOld on, but this interpretation of it is my favorite S.M. song ever.

For anyone who loves McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, this album is not an option but a NECESSITY. Though the hard-core fan might quibble with some of the choices of songs (what, no "Possession"?!? No "Fear"?!?) this CD is truly a delight. It's fascinating to see how these songs grew, from the rough, folksy incarnations presented here, to the more polished pieces heard on FTE. Stand-out tracks include the laid-back, sensuous "Elsewhere," the compelling "Ice" and the always lovable "Ice Cream." The mutlimedia stuff which comes along with the CD is fun, too - you get to see clips from McLachlan's videos, and to hear her thoughts about her band, her experiences touring, and her songs. For anyone who loves McLachlan's work - especially on FTE - this album is a must.

I've been doing a little nostalgic CD searching tonight and have returned to Sarah, who I discovered in the mid-90s. I loved her!!! And I still love her voice and sound; and will buy a recent release. I haven't listened to her much in the past few years. Occasionally popping in a CD or *gasp* tape during a drive and singing along. She's a beautiful singer, songwriter, artist. Her sound has improved over the years, especially her voice. But the early work is excellent!. I remember buying this CD in high school after seeing her live...I listened to it non-stop. While this is not a live album, it captures a quality of Sarah's voice, style, and a feeling. Pretty much Sarah with an instrument: piano, drums, or a simple layering effect. If you don't own her CDs start either with something very recent or an early release ("Fumbling" is great; "Touch" is nice to visit after that CD to see the growth; see other review for better suggestions) ...they are all beautiful. But if you know Sarah's music, or have ever seen her perform a version of "Ice Cream" live and love that song and "Plenty" takes your breath away, this pared-down CD is one for you.

On this version I prefer: "Plenty": "Good Enough" which I think have both a bare-bones haunting quality and a slight complex layer of vocals. Even on my old computers, it moves me emotionally. I also love "Ice Cream" since I saw her perform it 3 times live...back before and during "Lilith Fair."

As the title suggests, the tracks on this album are renditions of previous songs played freely. If you're a new fan, I'd strongly recommend getting "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" instead. It helps to hear the original before hearing these altered tunes. And if you have a CD-Rom, check out the multimedia presentation because it is very cool!