I, John

John Forte | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 23, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Transparent Music
• ASIN: B00006419V
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,773 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #28 in Music > Indie Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > General

Track Listings

1. What A Difference (feat. Dinah Washington)

2. Harmonize

3. What You're Used To

4. Trouble Again (feat. Tricky)

5. All the Pretty People

6. Take Time, Slow Down

7. Beware

8. Been There, Done That (feat. Carly Simon)

9. How Could I?

10. Out of Bed

11. Hungry

12. Dearest Father

13. Lady

14. Reunion

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The sophomore release from former Refugee Camp artist John Forté, I, John is a vast improvement over his unfocused 1998 debut Poly Sci, but there's a downside: Forté is currently serving a 14-year federal prison term, so his career is back on hold. Although recorded during the brief period of time between indictment and standing trial, the singer-rapper's album is unhurried and surprisingly well-developed, fattened by swells of reggae, tinges of electronica, lively guitar work, and lush vocals by the likes of Carly Simon, Esthero, and Forté himself. The strongest selections are slower and, quite understandably, wistful in tone. "Out of Bed" is reminiscent of U2's Joshua Tree period, while "Lady," taken in context, will be heard as a gentle lament. Most of the songs found here take a decidedly blues-rock approach; "What a Difference," however, is straightforward hip-hop anchored by a gorgeous, yet rather unsubtle, Dinah Washington sample. Sounding like an outtake from The Score, Forté plays it as a reminder of his past and an affirmation of his future. --Rebecca Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, April 24, 2002

By 

James Nemeth (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I, John (Audio CD)

In a word, I have to say this CD is superb. I like it very, very much. Musically, it's varied and adventurous. The lyrics are honest, intelligent, and tackle a variety of very tough subjects. Forte is at times gentle, then angry.

Some highlights:

The lead-off song, "What A Difference", featuring Dinah Washington, is my favorite. Upbeat and playful, yet thoughtful.

"Trouble Again", featuring Tricky. I'm not quite sure what this song is about, but I like it. :)

"All The Pretty People" is a nice, slow reflection on what it would be like to be one of the "pretty people."

"Out Of Bed" is a very lyrically spare, but beautiful love song.

"Hungry", featuring Ben Taylor, appears to touch on the issue of Forte's arrest on alleged drug charges. Excellent.

"Dearest Father" is a pretty scathing attack against Forte's father, who appears to have abandoned the family when Forte was young. Difficult to listen to (because of subject matter), but at the same time, irresistible.

And there are MORE standouts.

This is a must-buy CD.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended !, April 23, 2002

By 

Calikins "Cali" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I, John (Audio CD)

Every song on John Forte's new album "I, John" is truly an inspired celebration of music that incorporates beautiful harmonies with a range of musical styles and lyrical content that have no comparison to any new artist I've heard in a long, long time.

This young man is a real artist that rivals the best of the legendary singer/songwriters that I grew up listening to in the 70's.

Each of the guest vocalists are so integrated into the songs they appear on (almost like characters in a play) that I find it impossible to imagine these songs without their voices. It feels like there was a genuine union between these souls (Carly Simon, Ben Taylor, Dinah Washington, Robyn Springer, Esthero are the most memorable) and John when the songs were recorded. Each one is a slice of life short story that is almost visual in it's completeness.

In short: Highly recommended for it's infectious melodies, intelligent and uplifting lyrics and gorgeous harmonies. This album is one that defies age or race. It's all about the love of music and John's talent seems like a force of nature that knows no boundaries.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FORTE's pain & passion poured into his lp b4 he left 4 jail., April 30, 2002

By 

Todd E. Jones "Music Journalist" (Edison, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I, John (Audio CD)

"I hate rhyming!" - John Forte... He does... He only raps like 5 times on the 14 song album... but hey... I like it... It a cool album.. sure, it's not the kind of lp you bump in your ride.... but it has a respect for music...
Forte SINGS... and he does a good job with intelligent lyrics. There's passion and a soul behind that voice.. and of course...trouble.. Guests include: Herbie Hancock, Tricky, Esthero, Carly Simon, Dinah Washington, Jeni Fugita.. There are like 3 ROCK songs...the one with CARLY SIMON "Been There Done That" is more of a rock track.. it's an odd combination... Tricky and Carly Simon sing/rap a verse instead of a hook on their songs...

He talks about The Score... he talks about partying.. but the whole PRISON thing is only in the background... there aren't any blatent PRISON songs... you have to "hear" between the lines. "Fed time makes you hard" he sings on "Difference".

Still.. FORTE is a talented musician and decent singer. He's very much on that male Lauryn Hill vibe... There is a lot of acoustic guitar, pianos, keyboards...

"All The Pretty People" is actually a piano-driven ballad.. very slow and all sung with violins in the background..unusual for a rap record...well.. this is an unusual rap record.

It is an interesting listen... but extremely different from POLY SCI... If you played both of them to the same person, they may not realize that it is the same person. the best thing about this new john forte is that he actually makes the effort to try new things. its not like any other record out there right now. he's at least trying. too many artists out there just take the easy way out and make that radio friendly pablum to get to the top of the charts. trhis record sounds like he never even considered how the charts would react. he just came at it honestly. and it shows. thank god for efforts and experiments like this.
The best tracks are : "How Could I" f/Esthero, "What A Difference" f/dinah washington

"Reunion" ,"Lady" , "Take Time, Slow Down" f/ herbie handcock,

I LOVE the song "How Could I?"..It's incredible!!!! This lp is much more honest and it shows a vulnerable side to John.. I'm sure a 14 year jail sentence weighs down the psyche... Still.. He made a bold, innnovative, creative, and varied album filled with passion, diversity and soul.

I give it a 4 out of 5