Customer Reviews

Heart of Mine

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

 

 

Bobby Caldwell released this album back in 1989 and I must admit to being a huge fan of the Cat In The Hat. This album is my favourite by far and it will appeal to people who like good easy listening late at night music. The album kicks off with the title track which Boz Scaggs also covered on his Other Roads album and as they say the original is the best. The next track Real Thing is pure westcoast pop and the harmonies and backing vocals are truly excellent.

Also on the album is Next Time (I fall In love) which was covered by Agnetha Flakstog (Abba) and Peter Cetera (Chicago) on her album the Last Goodbye. For me the outstanding track is All Or Nothing At All which was also covered by Bill Champlin and Al Jarreau. All Or Nothing features an infectious chorus which you will go around for singing for days after you hear the track, it truly is one of may all all time favourite songs.

Other stand out tracks include Stay With Me and China. You will not be disappointed if you buy this album and I think it is a very good introduction to the talents and genius of Bobby Caldwell.

This album is one of Bobby's best. It is a terriffic album to throw in the CD player when makeing love, or if you just want to kick back and relax. Track one "Heart of Mine" is outstanding you will find yourself playing it over and over. This whole album is great and is a sure classic from Bobby. Heart of Mine is a need to buy CD. So go out and pick one up today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've heard that the best CD Bobby has put out is a toss-up between Heart of Mine and Stuck on You. I don't own the latter, but I can definitely testify that there isn't a bad song on Heart of Mine. (This record must be one of his best because 6 of the 10 songs on here are on his Anthology Pt. 2 compilation). Fair warning, though: this is entirely romantic music. 7 of the 10 songs are ballads (the other 3 are somewhat upbeat). Bobby is known for romantic/heartache subject matter, but NOBODY does it better.

On this recording, Bobby uses top-knotch studio musicians such as guitarist Michael Landau (Richard Marx, Chicago) and saxophonist Dave Koz. Bobby performs all of the keyboards himself (so the liner notes say). He also does all of his own harmonies, and I have to say, nothing sounds sweeter. Bobby has a wonderful tenor voice and his harmonies are blissful perfection. Just take a listen to "Stay With Me," "Next Time I Fall," or "Heart of Mine." I personally think that I like Bobby's version of "Next Time I Fall" more than Peter Cetera's/Amy Grant's. His voice reminds me of Chicago's Jason Scheff, with whom he shares a songwriting credit on "Heart of Mine." What a splendid coincidence. (Bobby Caldwell co-wrote two 80s benchmark songs for Chicago featuring Scheff's lead vocal: "Niagara Falls" and "What Kind of Man Would I Be?").

Caldwell was involved in writing all of these songs either collaboratively or solely. The production is very sweet, more poppy than jazzy. Many music afficionados refer to this genre as "smooth jazz/R&B." Whatever it is, it's addictive. The jazziest tune you'll get on this is probably "First Time," which features a jazzy guitar solo performed by Bobby. Genre aside, Bobby Caldwell's lyrics and chord progressions are food for the soul (or the heart, if you prefer). Bobby's biggest hit is a song that he co-wrote with guitarist Alfons Kettner and is covered by at least a dozen artists: "What You Won't Do for Love." The guy should get more recognition than he does as one of the all-time best songwriters.

This record definitely sets the mood. If you like the audio samples here, you'll love the entire CD.

I'm no music critic, but I must say that the lyric, the arrangement, the intro and the end of the song Chian are near perfection...possibly perfect. Bobby captures everything lovely about innocence, beauty, familial loyalty, and love in the orient. Not easy to find a situation like this, but this song pinpoints all the issues so beautifully in such little time.

Lovely stuff.

Actually I rate this at 4 and a half stars.

Bobby Caldwell has a fine voice and genuine sincerity which comes across in his songs. While many singers try, often desperately to sound soulful, Bobby does so with ease. I was glad to see him back fulfilling the promise that he exhibited when he released one of the most memorable songs of '79 with "What You Won't Do For Love". Since then he's written some very good songs and released some good recordings but has not received the attention that someone of his talent deserves.

This is a very good collection of pop/soul that mostly either about longing for romantic love or re-attaining it. They are wistful, sincere, soulful.

The arrangments are spare, which is good since Bobby has this light airy tone and a way of modulating that would get lost if surrounded by too heavy an arrangment or production effects.

The song that drew me to this recording initially was "Heart of Mine" which is a kind of wistful, innocent, song of longing. It has an emotional quality reminiscent of "Unchained Melody".

"All Or Nothing At All" - Was first made famous by Al Jarreau. Bobby does a nice job here. A nice clever piece with lots of hook and certain slyness in the vocal delivery.

"In the Name of Love" is actually better than the version that he recorded pervious with Richard Elliott. A nice airy pop tune.

"Even Now" is a piece with the appeal of his "What You Won't Do For Love". It is my personal favorite on this recording. It's delivered with a very real soulfulness and sincerity.

These are the highlights for me. I have to say that in the hands of another singer, some of the other songs on this recording, might not do as well. They need to be done in a certain way, mostly due to their sentimentality. They can't be done with two heavy a hand.

This speaks well of Bobby and his musical sense and judgement. Over the years he has shown that he knows just how much to give a song and when to pull back and let voice not sentiment carry the moment.

A very unique CD.
A must have. Heart of Mine is a classic song, and Real Thing and Even Now are beautiful songs. Bobby Caldwell can croon with the best of 'em and his compositions are masterful. Next Time is a very nice song also and you can't help but feel how much he puts into these songs. This guy has soul! Very powerful songs and the production job is superb.
I've been listening to this one for more than 15 years now and it really holds up over time. That's the acid test.

"Next Time I Fall" was recorded by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant. Peter Cetera produced Agnetha Faltskog's album "The Last Time" in 1987, and also duetted with her on "I Wasn't The One Who Said Goodbye."