Customer Reviews

I Refuse To Be Lonely

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I Refuse to be Lonely---sadly her final recording effort that she left her fans with before her inner demons overtook her leaving Phyllis with the only choice she felt she could choose--death.

This CD showcases more of her own person writings, while at the same time, she revealed to her fans, to her friends, those closest to her that she was truly between the extremes, the overwhelming highs of euphoria and the bottom-dropping out lows that left Phyllis without the strength to want to endure any longer. The opening title track, I Refused to be Lonely was Phyllis' defiant athem of refusing to give in to the demons that haunted her--her own self proclaimed loneliness. Listening to that song, one would believe that she was going to win the fight. The final track, Give Me One Good Reason to Stay told all, she had no reason and thus, her demons won. While in between that, she begs the question, Why Not Me?

In the tracks, I'm Calling You, where she's seeking that love that her heart so long wanted to have. While This Too Shall Pass Away, written by Lorraine Feather, helps Phyllis cope with the loss of her mother and grandmother and Waiting For the Last Tear to Fall where she resolves to live through her pain and simply resolves to await for the passage of time to heal her heart and dry her tears. Then she flips the script and sings the upbeat Back to Paradise where she is determined to get it right, the upbeat It Takes Two and lets not forget the sassy, get 'em told, Its Not About You (Its About Me) where she demands to be treated like the Diva she is because it all about her, without a doubt.

Phyllis throws in a tune to exercise her jazz chops, just a little. I'm Truly Yours not only gives you a visual of a scene from a smoky, Cotton Club with a band behind her and a spotlight while she croones this tune to some lonely, lost soul in the audience who secretly admires her from afar.

The entire CD was her finest work where she beared it all. Many of her fans still wonder was this final CD her way of saying farewell to them. If Phyllis only could see how much her fans really loved her and her music. This final CD gave us her final effort. If Phyllis could have, she would have taken that final bow instead of leaving the fans standing in line waiting and wondering.

Sadly, one of the most underated vocalists in contemporary music, this was the last album that she completed before her death in 1995.Phyllis had a voice like no other, there was no one you could compare it with.It came from deep in her soul and reached out to touch those who heard it.Although most of the songs on this album (and like most of those in her repetoire) are about strength and overcoming difficulties, listening to them in retrospect to her suicide gives them a much different meaning.You hear not only the strength and power of her voice and her emotions, but you hear and feel her vulnerability.There is not one mediocre song on this album.From the the very first note of the title track all the way through to the last song, "Give Me One Good Reason To Stay", which is almost like a final plea from someone in pain this album will certainly touch your soul.

I became a devoted fan of the late Phyllis Hyman, four years after her untimely death. I would have to say that this album is one of her best acheivements in her musical career. All the songs in this album relate to her premature passing and her sad and joyful times of her life. America has taken a huge loss without her. In my honest opinion, in history, it is THE BEST cd, any artist has ever produced. ALL the songs are exceptionally beautiful and hit you where it hurts, the heart. She delivers these soulful ballads so pure with much emotions that recognize her from no other singer, showcasing her rich tones, the deep yet warm timbre and her diamond hard elegant voice. She is sadly missed.

I purchased this CD after reading about Phyllis Hyman in a newspaper article, which detailed her career and her death. If only she were still here to make more music like this. She has the power to go straight to the listener's heart with her voice, melodies, and lyrics. Every time I listen, I wish I could thank her for her work.

I had the great fortune to see Phyllis Hyman live in concert at Chastain Park Atlanta the year before this album was released, and just a few months before her untimely death. To say I was saddened and heartbroken by the news would be a great understatement. Being at that concert was the most uplifting musical experience I've ever had. The crowd was completely wrapped up not only in her voice, but also in her beautiful soul and charisma.

I REFUSE TO BE LONELY is no doubt Phyllis Hyman's most important work as it lays bare her heartache and soul in a way no other singer has done since. Today's singers with one or two exceptions (Heather Headley being one of them), can't carry a tune vocally, much less carry the emotions through to the listener. This was Phyllis' unique gift: communicating real and deep emotions through song.

If I could pick just two songs that constantly stay in my head and replay countless times, I'd say they are WAITING FOR THE LAST TEARDROP TO FALL and IT TAKES TWO. I play these songs over and over again in my car and never get enough. The entire album is a legacy worth of Phyllis Hyman's name and it is now and forever a classic for all music lovers.

WE MISS YOU SO MUCH, PHYLLIS.

I have never been a big Phyllis Hyman fan, always feeling that her voice was deserving of better material. Yet almost 10 years after her death, I purchased this CD, and gosh was I moved. Purchase this CD if only to listen to the final track, Give Me One Good Reason To Stay. I get really chocked up everytime I hear this tune, and am respectful of her defiant, and oh so poignant plea to exit and get some rest. God rest in peace Phyllis.

Phyllis had just finished recording this CD shortly before she comitted suicide and many of the songs seemed to reflect the pain, confusion, loneliness and sorrow she'd been experiencing on a personal level. Even today ,"Give Me One Good Reason To Stay" seems very much autobiographical (as do "Why Not Me?" and the title song) as Phyllis had been living what she was singing about on these songs. Despite her tragic ending, Phyllis has left us a wonderful legacy of music. May her soul and spirit rest in peace.

You know, I get upset when I think about how Phyllis didn't get that recognition she deserved and still deserves. Listen, check this out, IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MATERIAL BY PHYLLIS HYMAN, YOU NEED TO GET UP ON IT. Like I've said before in my reviews about her, SHE'S A LEGEND WHOSE MUSIC WILL LIVE ON FOREVER, AND SHE WILL ALWAYS LIVE IN MY HEART. All of Phyllis' songs are amazing. Her voice is one that can never be touched. She is the greatest of 'em all. I Refuse To Be Lonely tells it all. These songs give us listeners a peek into her life. It saddens me to know what she was going through. Buy this if you don't already have it. I treasure my copy that I have now, and as a matter of fact, I'm about to purchase another one b/c the one I have is running ragged (I play it so much along with her others).

I love you, Phyllis, and you're truly missed.

Phyllis Hyman never got the recognition that she deserved and this, her final release, shows what talent has been lost. Always passionate and seductive, Miss Hyman's voice was never stronger. From mid-tempo cuts to heart-tugging ballads, the lady could do it all. There is not a single bad cut on this release. Every song is a winner; therefore, a wise investment is the purchase of "I Refuse to Be Lonely."

This cd is a collection of tunes that Miss Hyman was working on for her next cd. As a result of June 30, 1995 (Miss Hyman choose to take her life) those tracks left behind were sorted through and 10 were picked to be the cd we know have as part of her lecagy. This is classic Hyman......haunting even more now......but classic.