Customer Reviews

I, John

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

"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

We often hear of how genre-hopping artists fail to meet with commercial success; because they are try so many different things, they fail to gain traction with any single fan base, thus dooming themselves to obscurity. Genre-hopping artists who are also serving 14 years in Federal prison for cocaine distribution have even less chance of commercial success, but here's hoping that Forte, and his new category-defying album, overcome the odds. "I, John" is a great record-- part hip hop, part blues, part alt-country-- it is the work of a gifted fellow at what may be the height of his powers. The breeziness and playfulness of his first record, Poly Sci, is not to be found here. This is a melancholy collection of songs (yes, he sings on this one)-- a kind of sadness drips from every track, and it is this intensity and honesty of emotion that makes the thing so wonderful to listen to.

I truly enjoyed this album . I think it is different than his first album. I like the changes although I liked his first album too. I wish this album were on a major label so that it could get the praises it deserves. This is one of the best work out there this year. The guests are really great and the songs are meaningful and profound. My favorite songs in that album are REUNION , Harmonize , DEAREST FATHER, WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I wish TRicky could have contributed more lirycally because he is a great yet underrated artist . I recommand this album for all music lovers.

I don't usually review anything. I figure people can find what they like without me. But I, John, is really something special.

It's one of the few hip-hop albums that I can still listen to over and over again without skipping all around to find the 2-3 tracks worth listening to.

The diversity (John sings most of the songs -- and does a surprisingly good job) is built on a solid foundation of musical appreication of different genres, and John really brings the best of these elements out because of his production skills.

Musically, it reminds me of K-OS (whom most people are probably more familiar with) in that it blends elements of soul, trip-hop, hip-hop, jazz and rock together.

But the real enjoyment of the album is the emotion and intelligent lyricism.

It really is a perfect album. And one anybody who enjoys musical diversity with good beats should pick up and cherish.

Peace.

Without a doubt, this CD is above average. All the clarity, thoughtfulness, savvy and wit packaged into this project outshines all neosoul/hip-hop/r&b/urban alternative/nu-jazz and introspective rock CDs released that year. There are no disappointments- and Forte balances his ill-gained street credibility (via his lockdown) with his powerful, soul-wrenching introspective lyrics (it's hard to call them simply, 'lyrics') better than his more popular contemporaries that dare to shine light into their insipidly shallow, diamond-bezeled, champagne drenched lives. This is real hip-hop, or at least what I believe it should have evolved into. If you have been waiting for Mos Def to do another CD, and you have been severely disappointed by the copious effluence of r&b garbage on the radio, and you respect GENUINE talent- buy this CD. You will be glad, and sad. Sad that we have to wait 14 years for John's talent to shine again. However, he's certainly worth the wait.

Although I found this CD by accident, I don't think my finding this was an accident at all. I have no idea what this brother did musically before, but it doesn't matter. It is a beautiful autobiographical journey of a man who has to come to grips with facing a long prison term. He discovers what's important in life which is so telling from the first cut, the Dinah Washington classic, What a Difference a Day Makes. Other cuts that I think truly make their mark are Pretty People, How Could I, Dearest Dad, Lady, and Reunion. I find all of the songs heartfelt and moving. This is not just music for music's shake, but music with a message. Unfortunately some of our most brillant minds, like John Forte, are locked away in prison, but don't let that deter you from getting this CD. he has something to say to everyone.

There are not enough accolades for this CD. The lyrics are refreshing. There is more to John Forte than hip-hop could contain. This is not a CD for those who enjoy the commercialism of Hip-Hop. This is for someone who likes the styles of Seal, Esthero, and Bob Marley. This is an original compliation of great music and beautiful voices. My favorite tracks: "How could I?" "What You're Used to" and "Harmonize," "What a Difference?" -- I've evolved to better things, I want homes instead of rings. Runteldat!

Most of the published reviews I've seen for this CD give it a fairly average grade. This is a grave injustice, for this CD is truly one of the most memorable CDs of 2002.

John Forte has taken a drastic departure from the style of his earlier album, and classifing this CD as hip-hop is not really accurate. Sure there are traces of hip-hop to be found, but this release is not easily categorized.

Nevertheless, it is definitely worth purchasing. Forte has created an introspective album full of beautiful harmonies and heartwrenching lyrics.

Don't pass this one up!