Customer Reviews

Heart of the Man

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'd actually heard Phil Perry on the back end of several artist's albums before I really knew who he was. I would read all these liner notes and would see PHIL PERRY and wonder which part of the vocal background he covered. I found out in a hurry on Lee Ritenour's MALIBU. At that point, I knew exactly who he was and what a powerful statement he could make with his vocal contributions.

So when this came out, I had an inkling of what to expect. I just wasn't expecting the energy and the enormous vitality he brought to the musical table. I was blown away by this very fine offering -- one of his first. I have collected every subsequent CD of his since then.

My Favorites: Of course, for me and a lot of others, CALL ME stands out as the signature song on this CD. No one ever did an adequate cover of any Aretha song. NO ONE!! EVER!!!! And when Phil cuts loose on this thing, it really unleashes his passion and his pain and his emotional peaks. He really felt this song in performance. Similar to a great actor immersing himself in a role, so does Phil Perry truly live the words of this song and project it to the audience of listeners that this woman should CALL!!!

Another reviewer had said that he overdid the vocal histronics on this CD, but it was okay because he did it so well. He's entitled to that, but the last part of what he said proved the point that it was an effective use of the histronics. I equate an abuse of vocal inflections to guys like Usher and the lead singer for Guy, both of whom pale in comparison to Phil.

Other Gems: FOREVER IN THE ARMS OF LOVE, GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD, and WOMAN. These all show not only the range, but the warmth, clarity and purity of Phil's voice. I think this is one of his best efforts ever.

I saw him live in concert a couple of years ago with Howard Hewitt and George Duke. They all were on their A Game. But Phil took the show with a scintillating vocal display. It wasn't a contest or anything, but Phil was the only one who had two or three pairs of ladies' lingerie on stage after his solos!!

Nuff said. Phil is a phenomenal talent and this CD is well worth the time to check it out. It won't sit idly in your CD collection and will drive the average woman wild!!

I bought this Cd for Phil's cover of Arethat Franklin's "Call Me." While Aretha sang this song with understated concern, Phil is wailing, pleading and just nailing those high notes. Perry does tend toward vocal gymanistics and grand flourishes, but he does it so well that I don't mind. This is a strong CD overall with several good tracks. My favorites are "Woman" and "Forever in the Arms of Love." I prefer this CD to his more recent work.

PHIL PERRY IS SO UNDERRATED! HIS VOCALS ARE BOTH SMOOTH & HAUNTING ALL AT ONE TIME. HIS COVER OF ARETHA FRANKLIN'S "CALL ME" IS ONE OF THE BEST REMAKES I HAVE EVER HEARD! "FOREVER" GOT SOME SPINS ON THE RADIO, BUT THE ALBUM STEALER HERE IS "WOMAN". WHAT A TRACK! YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO THE RANGES THAT HE TAKES THAT SONG! YOU CAN FEEL THE PAIN & LOVE IN THE VOCALS. A MUST BUY FOR MATURE MUSIC LOVERS.....

Phil Perry is one of those artists who the music-buying public sleeps on. His 1991 release, "The Heart of the Man", was one of his best releases. This CD might be listed under contemporary R&B, but it definitely has an old school feel to it. Featuring a duet with gospel singer CeCe Winans on the gospel-influenced "God's Gift To The World", it rekindles old emotions and feelings not only toward that special someone, but toward society altogether.

In conclusion, Phil Perry is one of R&B's lost diamonds in the rough. Mr. Perry's heart is in the right place with this one. What are you waiting for? Pick up this CD and prepared to be moved, grooved and soothed. One love.

Great singer UNDERATED.... CALL ME....Aretha must be happy that someone has at least covered 1 of her songs to her 10/10 standard

For those not in the know, Phil Perry did not start out as a background singer. He was the lead singer in a group called the Montclairs, who had numerous hits back in the early 70's. When I first heard this cd I was blown away by the man's sensitivity and passion for his craft, truly one of the best and most underrated vocalist of our time. Phil sings from his heart and you can tell that he lives his life through his music. He has a great mixture of range and style with this his first studio cd. All of his slower, mellower cuts inspire the dreams of lovers everywhere. His rendition of Call Me I'm sure makes Aretha proud! But I must say that my favorite song on this cd is "The Best of Me" as a matter of fact it has become one of my top five songs I have ever heard. I have my personal reasons for that statement. That song helped to lift me through some very trying and emotional times right around the time the cd first came out. I have been a big Phil Perry fan ever since. I recently saw Phil at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. and the man blew us all away!I am patiently awaiting Phil's next project.

I was amazed when I saw Phil Perry perform 'Forever'. I'd always loved the song, but honestly never knew who'd recorded it. Always thought that the person singing it had such an amazing voice, that after the show I immediately set out to find a recording. And couldn't be happier with my purchase of "The Heart of the Man".

Phil has such a beautiful voice that crosses so many ranges, it's hard to believe that all that talent is coming from one person. This is such a beautiful album that you'll want to hit the repeat button and just let it play over and over. Be warned some of the songs ('Amazing Love') have a definite '80s feel to them. Still overall, CD still transcends time and is definitely worth giving it a listen.

This is a fantastic album. "Woman" is a my favorite song with just the kind of delicate lyric and vocal to accompany the subject matter. "Call Me" is a nice remake. "Forever" and "Say Anything" are great. His jazzy soul fusion epitomizes the early nineties transformation of soul music from the funky beat fueled pop filler of the eighties, into a well rounded sound. There are a few songs that stand out for the wrong reasons, but his David Peaston-esque voice more than makes up for it.

If you like soulful ballads with an Patti Labelle style of singing, you'll love this CD.

Phil Perry is an exciting musician the music he brings is joyous. I especially like The Arms of Love