Customer Reviews

Friends: Roberta Flack Sings Mariko Takahashi [IMPORT]

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This is quite an unusual album for Western listeners - American pop/jazz/soul singer Roberta Flack does an album of covers of a well known Japanese artist. Flack sings the lyrics in English but the songs, both lyrically and musically, sound very "Japanese pop". The chord progressions are typically western-influenced Japanese pop and the songs are occasionally unintentionally amusing unless you listen with an awareness that it's translated material. Nevertheless there are some very appealing cuts here - "Flower" and "New York" are standouts. This album will appeal to Flack completists (recorded in 1999 and never released outside of Japan) but the uninitiated listener may find little of interest.

This wonderful CD was arranged and produced by Jerry and Katrese Barnes, the team responsible for about half the tracks on the 1994 Grammy-winning CD, "Roberta". As with their earlier collaboration, the songs/arrangements here are first rate; lovely melodies and poetic lyrics worthy of the quiet passion of Roberta Flack. (The sound/feel of this CD is somewhat reminiscent of the "Feel Like Makin Love" album). While nothing compares with her early albums ("First Take" through "Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway", "Roberta Flack sings Mariko Takashi" is another of her truly special gifts to us. Get this CD for yourself and someone you love. You won't be disappointed.

AS I LISTENED TO THIS WONDERFUL PROJECT I LOOKED UP THE ORIGINAL SINGER OF THESE SONGS MARIKO TAKAHASHI I FOUND MYSELF TO ENJOY THE MUSIC AND WONDERFUL MELODIES OF HER SONGS. ROBERTA RECORDED HER "VERSIONS" OF TAKAHASHI'S WONDERFUL SONGS. LEGENDARY ROBERTA FLACK CAN DO ANYTHING!GIVE HER A PHONE BOOK SHE CAN SING IT. THIS IS WHY I LOVE HER MORE & MORE EVERYDAY!

LOVE YOU ROBERTA!
BB

FAVORITE TRACKS:
KISSES
NEW YORK
FOR YOU
ACTUALLY TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH THE WHOLE THING IS AMAZING!