Customer Reviews

I'm Free

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ray Parker Jr. returns after a lengthy hiatus (last release was 1991's "I Love You Like You Are") of 15 years. Parker's absence was largely due to personal matters including taking care of his aging parents. The good thing about the time away is that Parker seems completely rejuvenated as an artist. "I'm Free" is Parker's most personally revealing effort to date.

Parker made a career of documenting issues that often arise in romantic relationships. On songs like "Two Places at The Same Time" and "A Women Needs Love (Just Like You Do)" Parker gained a reputation for being sort of the Dr. Phil (way before Dr. P of course) of R&B/pop crooners. On "I'm Free" Parker has matured into the sage observer who is unafraid to delve into difficult topics that often come up in relationships but sometimes remain unresolved.

The CD opens to the strains of a Spanish guitar that might seem more at home on a Marc Anthony or Enrique Iglesias release. The song title "Mexico" is highlighted by a beautiful rhythm arrangement accented by mariachi horns and an intoxicating tale of reconnecting with a lover down south of the boarder. "Glass of Wine" goes into more complicated territory as it deals with the receipt of a letter from a lawyer requiring a signature to finalize divorce proceedings. Like most of the more introspective aspects of "I'm Free" Parker delivers the narrative in the first person but those who might be concerned can rest assured that Parker is still happily married. However, he has observed others dealing with these kinds of painful issues. Also, it should be noted that Parker uses the "glass of wine" refrain as a metaphor to not be so stressed about life rather then an endorsement or solution for dealing with these kinds of problems.

"Middle Age Crisis" takes on the May/December relationship of an older man and a younger woman with a child looking for a sugar daddy to help out with financial support in exchange for the persuasive charms that a young woman can offer. The rhythm track sets an interesting back drop with Parker adding tasty electric and acoustic fills that bring dramatic tension to the song. The next song titled "Mismaloya Beach" takes its name from an exquisite beach located just outside of Puerto Vallarta. Parker has been known to venture into the instrumentals with selections like "For Those Who Like To Grove" and "After Midnight." On "Mismaloya Beach" Parker is perhaps at his most assured in an instrumental setting as he floats along delivering an irresistible lead melody that showcases his considerable skill on guitar.

At first a cover of "The Guitar Man" (Top 20 pop hit by Bread) might seem like an odd choice by Parker but upon further inspection it makes perfect sense. First, Parker delivered some of the most indelible pop songs of the late 70's with selections like "Jack and Jill" and "You Can't Change That." So, "The Guitar Man" fits in nicely with Parker's natural inclination toward pop. Then there is the connection with Parker as a true "Guitar Man." Before Parker had all of the success as a member of Raydio and then later as a solo artist he was one of the most sought after studio session guitarists on the L.A. scene in the mid to late 70's. On "The Guitar Man" Parker has the appropriate level of melancholy mixed with a tinge of irony both vocally and on guitar. The title track is a low down blues romp that finds an emancipated Parker rejoicing in new found freedom. Sample lines "I'm Free nobody got chains on me/Guess I should have thanked her when she left me/ for putting me out of my misery." As direct as those lines are Parker is even more emphatic in getting this message across via some scintillating blues guitar that absolutely scorches this track.

"Rum Punch" is Parker's ode to Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville" complete with tropical effects and reggae rhythm. Parker is simply advocating a good time that can be had by all by getting together with friends and forgetting about the cares of the world. "Sting Ray" is the second instrumental on "I'm Free" and Parker sets another carefree mood with the Wave ready selection. "Forgive Me" is perhaps the most provocative song on "I'm Free" where Parker investigates the struggle that exists between morality and promiscuous relationships. In "Forgive Me" the central theme is stated as follows "Forgive me father for I have sinned/What's worse is I'll probably do it again/You see sin appears to be man's destiny/At least it is for me/Fornication I know is wrong/but the urge is just to strong." Parker does not offer solutions or absolution for this struggle even though forgiveness is sought but evidently the protagonist is resigned to succumbing to the inherent temptation of assorted relationships.

"The Book" is similar in tone to "Forgive Me" as it speaks of being involved in a relationship where one partner is not committed and treats the other partner with indifference. The song has the most similarities with Parker's Raydio days instrumentally as the beat bounces along happily with a sing a long quality while the central character laments the poor treatment that he continues to endure in an effort to complete "The Book" of unhappy endings. The CD closes with "Gibson's Theme" (the third instrumental) a song that is named after Parker's son. Parker was inspired to write the song while watching Gibson perform in a gymnastics class. "Gibson's Theme" has a cinematic scope to it with an arrangement that recalls the Chariots of Fire soundtrack. The track moves along in a majestic way with all the hope and wonder that is inspired by youth. On "I'm Free" Parker is decidedly more mature and essential with an expression that celebrates experience and life.

Not because he cannot sing, because he can, and very well. I have heard the 2 instrumentals on the local Smooth Jazz station and during Art Good's Jazz Tracks show.

I have always been a fan of Ray Parker Jr. His music with Raydio (RELEASE THESE ON CD!!!!) is awesoms. Songs like You Can't Change That, Rock On & Get Down are awesome and funky. His solo stuff lags for me but is good. Even his session work (most notably guitar on Boz Scagg's Jojo) is great.

This cd is a good relaxing cd. The 2 instrumentals are the best cuts. I wish they were longer and that there were more of them. All i can say is BUY THIS ALBUM! If he sees good sales, he'll release more!

I'd also like to see a cd by him of smooth jazz renditions of some of his old solo and Raydio hits. Maybe even covers of songs like Jojo that he played on.

ROCK ON Ray Parker Jr.!

I agree with the person who stated that this is not a smooth jazz CD; however, the tune Mismaloya Beach truly makes it worth the purchase. It is one of the best tunes that I have heard it a while.

If you like easy listening, you'll enjoy this one! Pop it in, put your feet up and relax. It might make you wish you were on some far away island.

Ray's back and he's back strong with a winner! "I'm Free", the single, tells a heart-felt story with a blues feel and "Mismaloya Beach" shows that Ray can deliver the goods with an instrumental that feels sooo good. Unlike other CD's with just one(maybe) good song, this entire CD is hot and you'll love every single song!

I love his guitar playing and his stories really touch my life. This is a must have!

I was so thrilled to see a new CD by Ray Parker Jr. I fell in Love all over again! If you are a Ray Parker Jr. fan you have got to get this one. He still has it going on :) I cant wait for the next one.
Thanks!

If Jimmy Buffett had come from Detroit, this is the record he might have made. Might have, because when it comes to writing upbeat love songs, with island vibes, about the struggles between man and woman which always resolve into a happy ending, Parker is the Man.
This is the Ray Parker Jr CD I've always wanted to hear. I know he's been a session musician for the last 10 years playing on some of the most intense jazz records released during that period, on his own new CD Ray lets his guitar tell the stories before the lyrics even fall into place. His guitar playing is enough to say this is worth the price! The title song "I'm Free" is a blues wailer that kind of sums up the whole record. He may be a young middle ager, but the "Middle Age Crisis" song tells a story that teens, or kids of middle agers, and the middle agers themselves will completel understand. Ray's new version of 'The Guitar Man' makes the song sound like the rocker it was meant to be.
I haven't taken this CD out of the car yet except to bring it in at night to play in the bedroom. It has great music, unique guitar, songs that can make you dance and play and it leaves you feeling good. It is a moving,heartfelt CD that brings us completely up to date with this child prodigy's life since he began playing guitar on tour with "Little" Stevie Wonder when they were both in their young teens. Everyone will like this CD. Buy it!

This is an excellent CD. I love it. It is very entertaining.

I really like the songs and the mood they create.
It is mellow and upbeat at the same time...