Customer Reviews

Heaven & Earth

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

 

 

Heaven and Earth (1992) was Jarreau's first release since 1988 and was a lot more R & B oriented than previous efforts. This was probably due in part to the producer/arranger Narada Michael Walden who was one of the hot producers (for Whitney Houston, among others) at the time.

The uptempo numbers - a Walden specialty - are the least impressive. The opener "What You Do To Me" is a fine dance track, but doesn't take advantage of Jarreau's immense vocal abilities, and the new jack swingin' "Blue Angel" and "Love Of My Life" would have both been better suited to any of the New Edition alumni.

Jarreau shines brightest on the ballads. The title track and the soaring "If I Break" melodically showcased the stylish sensitivity in his voice, with the single "It's Not Hard To Love You" and "Superfine Love" utilizing Jarreau's vocal gymnastics best of all. On the latter, the orchestrations are challenging enough to push Jarreau's voice toward its limit yet still allow it to remain in the forefront.

Jarreau concludes the album with his two-movement rendition of Miles Davis' "Blue In Green," with lyrics added by Jarreau and Frank Martin. On a jazz number like this, Jarreau proved that he was still peerless. Ultimately, Heaven and Earth was an admirable effort by Jarreau to create a contemporary sound while remaining true to his roots.

This disc is my first CD of Al Jarreau. I came to like him very much. His versatility of singing style is very attractive and surprising. Not like current hip-hop-centric R&B scene, but his music is fashionable by his own artistic modulation. Sound is also clear-cut. Not an extraordinary album, but I can feel very rich and happy everyday with his music.

Such a pitty this great vocal tallent made so many of these sweeeeeet recordings...

In order not to come off as too strict a jazz purist, I would like to point that I recall buying an Aretha Franklin record in the 80's, the one in which she sounded ridiculosly close to Whitney Houston. If memory serves me well, Narada Michael Walden was responsible for that misdemeanor (not to say crime) as well. It's the album where she had a hit duo with George Michael and, as sole (at least remotely) creative point, recorded "Jumpin'Jack Flash" (was Keith Richards on guitar at that particular song?).

Don't get me wrong, if Jarreau sounds like Whitney Houston on this album, it still makes this CD better than the music of Celine Dion... But if you want my humble opinion, only barely!

Jarreau can move heaven and earth with the fast paced rythms and the soulful lyrics found in this CD. If you need to get your feet moving and your heart up from being down, then this is the Jarreau for you.

please keep up the good music , one thing i like about you guys is that you have supplied mr with a limited stuff that is hard to find that i have searched for ,for a long time

keep it up

!!!! please remember to look for Gerald Alston Album (Take me where you want to) please


thank you so much
Thabo

I must say that Jarreau's versatility continues to shine on this album.
Yes, this album is mostly contemporary R&B, but only in the style that we are most familiar with Jarreau.
Excellent take on the classic "Blue in Green"; only a true artist would stay true to a priceless gem as this one and Jarreau exceeds this! :-)

I have listened to Al Jarreau for more than twenty years. I don't know how he manages to stay so fresh. This is an exciting new direction for his music. Keep it up it's great.

When I'm tired of listening to the radio or on a long drive, this tape is always nearby. This blend of jazz, funk and torch songs are sung in Jarreau's inimitable style. The collection entones a maturity, a comfortable insiders view of a stable relationship that pays tribute to women--past and present--who have touched the songwriters. Jarreau interpretation of those songs oozes warmth and comfort with a little playfulness on the side. Al's still got it. I saw him last summer in Pittsburrgh at a free concert. That was about my fifth time seeing him. Hope to see him with jazz pal David Sanborn again.

AWESOME CD. This is also an upgrade - so I have known all along what a good CD it is and all the tracks are just heavenly and amazing. Al has the greatest voice and what he does with his voice is just excellent. I love this purchase. Have it on cassette, but you know the CD just makes it the best way to listen to music instead of waiting to rewind, fast forward or just waiting for it to come back around. I love this CD. It is truly a fascinating musical tribute to how great Al Jarreau is. LOVE IT!

Sorry but I must disagree with other reviewers here as IMHO this record doesn't live to natural expectations from such a great singer as Al Jarreau.
Except for the tracks 1 and 2 this record suffers from a lack of inspired melody heard on other records. The quality of the sound is a little too bright and artificially processed. Definitely not recommended.