Customer Reviews

Individuality Can I Be Me

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been pacing my floor anticipating the release of this CD and, needless to say, I am overjoyed! Rachelle has truly outdone herself with this one! The inflections in her beautiful voice still move me and the music definitely gets me groovin'. From the first track Individuality (Can I Be Me?), a declaration of the celebration of self,.....to the last track I Can Explain, a cry for the love that may be lost, which is heightened by Rachelle's piano playing. This CD is excellent and recommended to all good music lovers. My favorite track right now is Gaia, in which Rachelle is accompanied by Jonathan Butler. But, with an album as great as this, I'm sure I will have another favorite soon. Enjoy!

Farrell's self-titled debut was notable for introducing her astonishing, multi-octave instrument of a voice, but the songs and arrangements (with a few exceptions) lacked the personality and singularity her vocals had. Her second release, "First Instrument," was an engaging collection of jazz standards that certainly entertained, but you still had the feeling that something was bubbling under this woman's surface, something deeper and greater. It finally explodes on her third release, "Individuality (Can I Be Me?)," and in an era of teen pop and street-savvy R&B, the question posed in its title seems to address music lovers at large...and any adult in their right mind will certainly answer with a resounding "yes!" The opening track finds Farrell singing, "I'm an individual, I'm into individuality," and may God love her for it.

Farrell has clearly had the revelation that less is more; the tracks are arranged sparsely and feel wide open, the perfect setting for her striking, lushly-chorded jazz/soul compositions. The instrumentation is a treat as well, and covers ground between 70's-flavored Rhodes keyboards and muted guitars to (gasp! in the new millenium, even!) real drums and acoustic piano. What's especially inviting is the jam-session feel that gives way to the impression that you're sitting in on a musician's party instead of hearing mere studio product. Further to her credit, Farrell wrote or co-wrote every track, and the variety of moods is astounding...there's slinky, backporch blues (the title track and "Sista"), elegant pop/soul ("I Forgive You," "I Gotta Go"), slick R&B ("Will You Remember Me?" and "Run to Me") and gently-grooving funk ("Satisfied"). For added bonuses, Johnathan Butler lends hand at writing and singing on "Gaia," an ode to Mother Earth that is musically sophisticated and lyrically touching, and Russ Barnes offers a top-notch vocal on the sultry duet "Reflections of My Heart."

But the crowning achievement is Farrell's use of her voice. There's a shockingly accurate three-octave jump (and a jump down, at that), seemingly effortless shifts in tone and projection, and, most strikingly, the take-no-prisoners experiments she indulges in on the funky "Why You Wanna Mess it All Up?," which include mind-boggling vibrato, noteless and wordless ad libs, and a run of notes sustained for twenty-eight seconds without taking a breath...one can only imagine what reckless vocal takes didn't even make the record.

In the end it becomes perfectly clear that "Individuality" couldn't possibly have a better title. Of course, it's a shame that we probably won't get the chance to witness any of these songs on pop radio as a much-needed breath of fresh air, but then again the beauty of the record lies in Rachelle Farrell's fearless assertion of innovation, trends be damned. She puts it best herself: "If you don't like it/it ain't got to have nothin' to do with you." You go, girl.

Rachelle Ferrell is more than, "In A Class By Herself."

Rachelle Ferrell is "The Class."

The lyrics on this CD are thoughtful and insightful, the music on this CD is unpredictable, the melodies are soothing, the beats are down right funky (George Duke) the flavor of this CD is mystical, and yet Rachelle's voice still gives a certain reassurance that true creativity and talent is not dead!!!

THANK YOU, RACHELLE!!!

I have had several opportunities to see Ms. Ferrell, (on tour with George Duke and Kenny Lattimore) between her last CD and "Individuality." One thing will always ring true with Ms. Ferrell, "What you see, (and hear) is what you get."

Eargasms and Toe Tappin's is what this CD promises. From the wonderful cut, "Sistah" that reminds us of the special bond women share, to "Gaia" (duet with Jonathan Butler) all the way to "I Can Explain," yields nothing but pure unabashed joy for the listener.

Some might say "Welcome Back," to Rachelle after listening to this CD. The truth of the matter is, she never left; for how does one forget the sound of excellence once it has been heard.

ONE WOMAN'S ADVICE: BUY THIS CD...you will not be dissapointed.

**Let's stop accepting mediocrity as an artform...buy this CD and let your voice be heard.

Rachelle Ferrell definitely gets her clown on, on this piece. Every track on this cd is good, if not excellent. It truly has a feeling (vibe) that you just listen and soak up the rhythm and lyrics and bob your head and enjoy, ie. "Individuality". The music on this project is very pure; it has slamming rhythm sections and Rachelle's dynamic instrument rips every song. My favorite tracks are "I Gotta Go", "I Can Explain" (the lady sangs this song), "Gaia" (duet with Jonathan Butler) is beautiful, "Sista" is a grand statement, and I could go on and on. If you enjoy "real music and vocals" you can't lose with "Individuality"! If it's the Lord's will I'll see you Rachelle in St. Louis 12/6 at The Pageant. Can't wait to hear you Live!

I had to add my voice to the chorus. Rachelle has done it again! She is the epitome of excellence and her music just carries us through. I love the CD it will definitely be an early stocking stuffer for friends, family and acquaintaces during the holiday season. As I said, I love the whole CD - I listen to it every single day! I am going to have to break down and buy another copy... I have worn this one through already. It's great music for the head and the heart.

I can't wait to see and experience another Rachelle performance at Kimball's East, Emeryville, CA. She definitely turns the place out and upside down. I look forward to hearing her perform any and all of the "Individuality" pieces LIVE. She definitely takes us to another world through the language of music.

I'll see yall in the FRONT ROW 'cause this album is FIRST CLASS! Rachelle, Thank you for holding out for your own special ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. We love it and it is well worth the wait. The music and lyrics stick to the ribs and to the soul.

I saw Rachelle perform at the Newport jazz festival around 93/94 when she was promoting her first CD. I was impressed with her voice and her singing, but outside of a few forgettable originals she was just rehashing standards I've heard a thousand times before. From that point on I never really thought about buying any of her music...but I respected her as a singer and performer because of her talent.

A couple years ago a friend of mine (who is more into vocalists than I am) recommended this CD to me and I told him my opinion of Rachelle. He then told that "If that's the way you feel then you should DEFINITELY run out and by this CD". He was telling me that this CD was a statement of independence from her previous record contract that was forcing to just use her voice to rehash old standards and go for that gimmicky appeal of her multi-octive range (think Stanley Jordan on guitar). This CD, on the other hand, was all about the music SHE wanted to make...hence the title "Individuality(Can I be me)?"

I decided to give her another shot and boy was I glad I did.

The kind of music she wanted to make is exactly the kind of music I like to listen to! The vocalese, the instrumentation,

the songwriting, and the arrangements are all stellar. Add in the outstanding recording quality and it's also a great CD to test out your audiphile equipment.

Can you Remember and Mess it All up are my personal favs...but there is plenty to love here. Hopefully her future projects will focus on the type of music SHE wants to perform and not have to appease clueless self centered record executives.

Can you imagine how much music we would have been denied if Stevie Wonder hadn't taken the same stand against Motown in the early 70's? Ditto Ray Charles, Thelonious Monk, et al.

If you like this type of music I can also recommend Peace Beyond Passion by Me'shell N'deocello. Also an outstanding recording. Her politics may be abrasive to some...but who cares?! It's all about the music! Dionne Farris' solo album

also come to mind.

I have to echo everyone else here. This is simply amazing. If these recordings don't move you, check your pulse. My favorite here is 'Reflections of my heart'. I am so there with them.
Stop, drop everything and go get this CD.

Don't you love it when you pick something up on the strength of the reviews written here and you find that it is exactly what you had been led to believe - stunning! Rachelle's voice really is the "instrument" that everyone is raving about and she proves that there is so much more to singing that just having a huge range (Hello Mariah). The first couple of tracks are not quite as good as the rest but from there on, Ms Ferrell sings with a fire and an abandon that literally gives you goose bumps. I Can Explain, I Forgive You and Run To Me really, really show off her pipes.

Amazing! i must admit after such a long wait and with "First Instrument" still ringing in my ears i was initially looking for a similiarly jazz orientated album to further showcase the vocal range of someone so amazingly talented and yet so under recognised (well at least in europe). The change of direction I applaud because it demonstrates that the artist is comfortable in a variety of genres and like a snake will regularly shed her skin. I find the project honest, gut renching and musicially first rate. I admire how she so effortlessly holds back such a glittering talent to sometimes bearly a whisper and then showers you with her full vocal range a few bars later, this is sheer genius and only the best and most disciplined can really carry it off.

I have to confess that my particular favourites are "I forgive you" and "Reflections of my Heart", "Run to Me" and "Gaia" but this by no means takes away from the brilliance of many of the other songs all of which she either wrote or co-wrote.

Well Done Rachelle and WHEN ARE YOU COMING TO PERFORM IN ENGLAND!

Best Wishes from an English Fan Janet Campbell

I went to the library to get this album, and after I listened to it, I wondered why I didn't listen to it sooner. I've always liked Rachelle Ferrell, and although I haven't heard her other albums, I still think this one might outdo them because I think few people have heard an album as great as this.

I don't know if it's possible to pick any one song as being the best on here, but I'll at least point out some highlights that come to mind. Rachelle can still hit the high notes very well (see "Run To Me") as well as the low notes. Also, the first three songs will sort of make you wish this CD would never end.

Although it's obvious that Rachelle can hold her own on songs, the duets are also stellar. "Gaia" features Jonathan Butler, and although that track is damn good, "Reflections Of My Heart" with Russ Barnes beats it (I don't know who he is, but if he has an album in the works, I wish it came out yesterday). Kenny Lattimore sings background for a few tracks, while the great George Duke takes care of music here and there. That's a winning combination, wouldn't you say?

Another thing about this album is that sometimes the wordplay is more interesting than the lyrics, not that the lyrics are bad. If someone just looked at the lyrics without listening to the songs, for example, s/he might say the lyrics just seem okay, but it all depends on how Rachelle says them.

And speaking of lyrics, the songs on here cover topics that are really original, like on "Will You Remember Me?" where she says to her man: "I understand looking at other women is part of being a man." WHO'S THE TRAITOR THAT TOLD HER THAT??? ...But seriously, Rachelle should have known she had a classic when she wrote (or co-wrote) every track on this album. Pick it up today, because you'll never get tired of listening to it.