Customer Reviews

It's That Girl Again

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Basia has an incredible voice. It soars and then it's sultry, it's smooth and then strong. Her self-harmonizing is great stuff in your ears. I caught on to her late in the game but was really looking forward to getting this new CD.

Each song contributes to the overall fabric of the album, some more than others. There are some great instrumental passages/contributions from Danny White, guitarist Peter White, trumpeter Kevin Robinson, and drummer Marc Parnell.

Faves for me were: "If Not Now Then When" (first one out of the chute and a winner), "There'a Tear" (classic clear-singing Basia), "Blame It On The Summer" (reminicient of "Half a Minute" with a great beat too), "Two Islands" (wonderful Basia harmonies), "Winners" (a toe-tapper, loads of fun), and "They Know Nothing About Us" (finely-crafted and melodically punchy).

Basia fans will love this album, even the Polish "Amelki Smiech". (It was fun to listen to her sing in her native tongue.) It sounded pretty good, though I know little Polish). The album is not perfect, but definitely pleases and well worth the price.

Here's hoping we all don't have to wait as long to say, "It's That Girl Again". Welcome back Basia!

Basia (aka Basia Trzetrzelewska) is back with her latest CD entitled It's That Girl Again. Basia sounds great; and time hasn't diminished her talent one bit--she's as energetic and powerful a singer as ever. I love her broad vocal range and Basia can do just about anything she wants to do. All of these songs are very energetic and there's a jazzy Latin flavor to several of them. It's also obvious that her work with Danny White helps to create this fine music. The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent; and I really like that artwork, too!

The CD starts with "If Not Now Then When." I love that rhythm; it's perfect for dancing anytime! It's a major highlight of this album; and Basia sings this without letting go of a single superfluous note. This is one awesome ballad about a woman who wants to tell her man that she loves him so much; and Basia does this so well! "Someone For Everyone" also gets a fine treatment from Basia and the musicians; the music fits in perfectly with Basia's vocals and this works very well. "I Must" has a spirited albeit somewhat dark flavor to match the seriousness of the lyrics; and Basia handles those complex key and tempo changes like the pro she always was and still remains.

"Everybody's On The Move" has a dance flavor to it; the musical effects are very well done and Basia makes this number work well with a great amount of positive energy. "There's A Tear" gets a very sensitive treatment; this song delves into the feelings of a woman who wants her man to come back to her. Basia's voice is as clear as a bell and I'm very impressed. "Blame It On The Summer" has a particularly fine arrangement and it sounds rather similar to Basia's signature sound from her previous albums. "Blame It On The Summer" is also very beautiful.

"Two Islands" is extremely pretty; the music enhances the ballad greatly. "Winners" has something of a Latin beat that just may make you want to jump up and dance practically wherever you are--"Winners" is another big highlight of this album and I think you'll like it very much if you like Basia's artistry. It's excellent.

"They Know Nothing About Us" is a passionate number about a couple who has stayed together long after people thought they would; Basia delivers this with all her heart and soul; she gives blood to make this number special and it works great! "They Know Nothing About Us" has some great horn work on it, too. The CD also ends well with Basia performing the title track, "It's That Girl Again." "It's That Girl Again" plays a bit with some major and minor keys to enhance it and Basia delivers this faultlessly.

Basia scores a big goal in my book for this comeback album. When I listen to this it's like she had never been away; she still amazes me with her vocal prowess and she makes it all sound so easy. Of course, we know it really isn't so easy; Basia's talent always carries her through. I highly recommend this CD for Basia's fans; and even people just discovering Basia would do well to start with this fine album.

Great job, Basia! Thank you!

After a 15-year gap in her solo career (which doesn't count 2004's "Matt's Mood" Matt Bianco reunion album, also good), Basia is back with this album which feels like nearly no time has passed since her first superb solo effort, "Time And Tide". The album is really the spiritual sequel to her second album, "London Warsaw New York", which focused on a more bossa nova-style sound, as does this new recording. Her voice is as good as ever, with as much range. And the songs, co-written by Basia and her longtime collaborator/partner Danny White, sound fresh and exciting. Sadly missed is the late Ronnie Ross on baritone sax, the space filled by a competent but unremarkable tenor sax. Only the last two songs (one sung entirely in Polish with what sounds like a fake live audience; the other the title track) don't quite live up to the rest of the album. But that leaves 11 solid pieces of music which both takes you back in time and maintains a contemporary vibe. One of the tracks is called "Winners", and we are for having Basia recording again!

Please Basia don't make us wait so long for your next CD! This album is an outstanding example of Basia's musical prowess - finely crafted, catchy, melodic tracks that stay in your head long after the CD's finished. Beautiful singing, tonality, and lush lyrical styles are what make Basia such an outstanding performer. Standouts are Two Islands, They Know Nothing About Us and Blame It On The Summer. The wait is finally over and I couldn't be happier!!

I just came from seeing Basia (and Danny White) at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. By the way - a very intimate space for a band of this status. We were lucky that she and Danny played here.

I have to say that I did write a poor review of her latest album - many of the songs had an eastern european dark tone with the exception of a few REALLY stand out tunes. IF NOT NOW THAN WHEN is one of their best compositions ever.

Anyway - I write this new review to tell you how amazing Basia sounded, looked and related to the audience. She is the "same girl" we always loved. She was pitch perfect, charming and funny still!...and such a pretty face and smile - u can't take ur eyes off her beauty no matter what age! It been years since she performed and as nervous as the audience was to "hope" that she was still as good. Basia was equally nervous...but as soon as she sang her first notes we were all back on track again! Fans aligned with "star". The sweetest part was that she teared up big time after the 3rd song -she told the audience she was a little nervous about performing in LA again (we are kinda harsh here...)...before she could finish her sentence the audience PLUS balcony stood in standing ovation for a full minute...she wasn't even given a break to talk...she cried a bit.

I think or HOPE now that her talent and sweetness is loved by Americans everywhere and we are awaiting the next BASIA album! Rumour has it that her and Danny are already working on something. Long story short - she was great and did several songs from this new CD. This CD is the least of her other ventures (including the recent MATT'S MOOD by Matt Bianco - which actualy woudn't matter if Basia hadn't sung on it! - so lets just be real about Matt Bianco).

Basia - we love, support and care...we can't wait for the next!

Basia, who gained notoriety during the 1980's with such chart toppers as "Time and Tide" is indeed BACK with a new album.

With a three octave range, personal lyrics and a smorgasbord of styles - both danceable and emotionally powerful - Basia is a true musician of the world. Her return to the music scene is a welcome breath of fresh air.

All of the songs on "It's That Girl Again" are each unique entrees with their own energy and distinct vibrant Basia style - yet still feeling completely part of the entire catalogue of wonderful music she has given us over the years.

You won't be disappointed, for after all this wait, it's that girl again - the incomparable Basia.

The most welcome comeback of the year or any year is of course Basia. After almost giving up on ever hearing from her again, she released an album with Matt Bianco a few years back and thought, yeah, she's coming back. But then, nothing. Now she's back and better than ever. This collection of songs is superb. And it's the kind of album that I love, the more you listen, the more you love all of the songs. It is one of those albums that grow on you and that's the best kind. There isn't that instant gratification and then you are sick of the songs, this one takes its time to grow on you and that is exactly what a great album should do. The first three tracks are incredible with "I Must" being a stellar standout. "They Know Nothing About Us" is also a wonderful song. I couldn't be happier with a new Basia CD and hopefully she doesn't wait as long for the next set of songs. WELCOME BACK BASIA AND DANNY WHITE!

Her first complete solo album in about 15 years, 54-year old Basia Trzetrzelewska released this new CD back in March of this year. I must say, my hopes were high, especially after hearing her work with Matt Bianco (her first group) as they reunited in 2004 for the album "Matt's Mood". After three plays, though, I must say that I am just a little disappointed. Perhaps after a few more listens a few songs will grow on me a little. Don't get me wrong, her voice still sounds amazing. There are three or four songs that are very good. However, overall the songs just don't sound as unique and strong as her offerings on her 1994 album "The Sweetest Illusion". That CD had some simply incredible tunes, notably "Third Time Lucky", "She Deserves It", "Simple Pleasures", and "Drunk On Love". Even her first two albums from the late-80s sound more fresh and original. The best tunes on the new album are "Two Islands", "Blame It On The Summer", and "Someone For Everyone". There are no bad songs, but the rest just have something lacking. I think that the songwriting and arrangements are just not as strong as much of her earlier work. A few of the lyrics seem overdone, and the music overall doesn't have that same amazing sound. But, the album is still fairly good, better than much of the stuff out there, in my opinion.

Basia, who gained notoreity during the 1980's with such chart toppers as "Time and Tide" is indeed BACK with a new album.

With a three octave range, personal lyrics and a smorgasbord of styles - both danceable and emotionally powerful - Basia is a true musician of the world. Her return to the music scene is a welcome breath of fresh air.

All of the songs on "It's That Girl Again" are each unique entrees with their own energy and distinct vibrant Basia style - yet still feeling completely part of the entire catalogue of wonderful music she has given us over the years.

You won't be disappointed, for after all this wait, it's that girl again - the incomparable Basia.

Basia, like Sade, puts out new music so infrequently, with new artists, new styles, new movements coming and going in the interim, you wonder if her music will remain relevent. Then, like Sade, she creates one more collection of classic, timeless music which transcends time, place, and genre and reminds us all what true musical artistry is. "It's That Girl Again" is not flawless, by any means (for that matter, neither is Sade's latest work), but it stands head and shoulders above 99% of the garbage that other "artists" crank out and watch the hype machine and marketing sell their wares. If a work is truly meaningful, it doesn't need publicity. Basia's most recent work was unheralded, with only the odd online whisper. After her amazing work in "Matt's Mood," I began to entertain the hope that a new Basia CD might be in the works, and what it might sound like."It's That Girl Again" manages to satisfy the Basia faithful and continue her mission of genre-mongering and creating a timeless and unique sound. The opening track, "If Not Now Then When," kicks off the collection with a spirited urgency, great guitar work, and an amazing vocal. The message of this song could be a mantra for Basia's career: "You don't want to miss the best thing in your life." The second track was co-written by Mark Reilly and sounds very much like a Matt Bianco song, full of Latin percussion and complex harmonies. "I Must," the third song, also sounds like a Matt Bianco song from "Whose Side are You on?" but with an updated and edgier feel to it. "A Gift" is a lovely, mid-tempo number expressing the singer's love for her chosen partner. "Everybody's on the Move" has an '80s, Lisa Stansfield-like vibe to it, full of punchy horns and with a great dance beat. "There's a Tear" is another slow, romantic song, with a lovely wide-ranging vocal. "Blame it on the Summer" is upbeat, with the touches of bossa nova and samba which have become Basia's trademark. The eighth track, "Two Islands," is a lovely, wistful, soaring song about how love can create a special refuge for two people. Next comes "Love Lies Bleeding," another Matt Bianco-esque song, with intricate overlapping vocals and a great message about romantic (obsessive) love's urgency. "Winners" sounds like it should be in Brasilian Portuguese, the kind of song you'd hear on the street in Rio de Janeiro during carnaval. As with so many of Basia's song, there is a very positive and hopeful message in the song. "They Know Nothing About us" is smooth, sophisticated, with a jazzy, loungey vibe. "Amelki Smielch," sung in Polish, creates a festive, chaotic atmosphere, but it ultimately a bit lightweight. "It's That Girl Again" is another slower-tempo song, and it starts to feel like there were too many ballads on the collection. If any song could have been left off of the album, I think it could have been this one. The lyrics are basically a page from Basia's own life, disregarding her detractors and focusing on the positive. The first of the two bonus tracks, "Oh Mama," is a fun, bouncy duet with a young girl (her own daughter?), not strong compared with the other tracks but nonetheless catchy. The final track is a new recording of "Clear Horizon," speeding up the tempo from the previous version, making it less anthemic and more intimate. Did the song need to be redone? Not really, but hearing is believing. I love this album, and I think it compares favourably with any of her previous collections. The wait was totally worth it.