Customer Reviews

The Journey Within

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I purchased this CD for no other reason than because I am a Yankees fan. I thought it would be great to have the limited addition cover and perhaps even get it signed someday. But what I ended up with was a true treasure. Being the avid Yankee follower that I am I was well aware that he played the guitar and even that he had gone to a music high school in Puerto Rico, but I really had no idea the extent of his talent. I knew that he was a great ball player, but assumed that he was probably decent at best muscially. Boy was I wrong. I listen to this cd over and over again. It has a soothing quality about it and when the work day is getting rough.... I just slip on my headset and Bernie takes all the pressure away. I bought the cd out of intrigue and now cant wait to see what he comes out with next. Bernie's music is just as smooth as his multiple gold glove fielding performances.

My husband was watching some program on TV when I heard this wonderful guitar being played. I asked who the artist was and could not believe it when he said the baseball star Bernie Williams. I immediately went out and purchased the CD and it is THE best CD I own!. The music is so relaxing. He has so much talent both off and on the field. It is a combination of Jazz/Salsa/R&B with one track dedicated to his late father. He wrote much of the music himself and I cannot wait until he comes out with another album. This CD can be background music or music to relax to either way it is a HIT!. I don't think anyone buying this CD will be disapointed.This is not for hip hop fans it is for serious people who can appreciate great music and great talent.

Sure, there's the novelty of an all-star New York Yankee making music. Then there's the novelty of a limited edition cover by celebrated artist LeRoy Neiman (limited to the first 50,000 copies). And don't forget the novelty of an endorsement by Sir Paul McCartney himself. But don't buy this disc just for the novelty of it - buy this disc because it contains truly wonderful musical performances.

Bernie Williams shows his Latin roots (Puerto Rico) on a number of the tracks, as some of the titles suggest, including the up-beat melodic opening piece, "La Salsa En Mi, " which is one of the seven original compositions on this disc. Not only does he write and play well, he also shows that he can cover pop music ballads without falling into the trap of instrumental muzak - both "Dust in the Wind" and "And So it Goes" are beautiful renditions of songs by Kansas and Billy Joel, respectively.

Williams also shows that he has as many friends in the music studio as he does on the baseball field. The first single released to radio is a remix of his "Just Because", which features smooth jazz pianist David Benoit. Other all star quests on this disc include Ruben Blades, salsa legend Gilberto Santa Rosa, multiple Grammy-winning banjo player Bela Fleck, keyboardist David Sancious, percussionist Luis Conte, bassist Leland Sklar, guitarist Tim Pierce, and drummers Kenny Aronoff and Shawn Pelton, among others.

Finally, Williams allows his true love and passion to show on the last track, which contains his children in the studio singing the contemporary Christian praise song "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever." While his children may not yet be ready to start musical careers of their own, Bernie Williams has demonstrated that he has an all-star musical career awaiting him after this delightful debut CD.

This CD has two good things going for it. Number one, it's by one of my favorite New York Yankee players and number two, it's a smooth jazz album. There is one question though, "Is it a great CD?" Well, I must say that though its not the best CD I've heard, it is a very good debut by the 4-time World Series Champion centerfielder.

The CD has a lot of good tunes, including "Just Because" and "The Way". Bernie is also accompanied by a great supporting cast that includes David Benoit, Bela Fleck and Ruben Blades. Bernie has a nice, flamenco flavor to his playing. It's definitely a compliment to years of work. Bernie reportedly said that if he didn't become a baseball player, he would have been a musician. I do believe he has the makings of a second career long after his baseball playng days are over. Maybe he and former NBA all-star and bass player, Wayman Tisdale can make a collaboration.

I really like this cd. The more I hear it the more I like it....and isn't that the sign of a good album?
Like so many others, I am a Bernie Williams baseball fan, but that may be why I give it 5 stars instead of 4 stars. It is truly excellent. If you don't like music that chills, grooves, funks, sambas, and rocks a little than this may not be for you. This is contemporary Jazz with a grooving latin/rock/blues touch. As you can read, he incorporates a lot of different styles into one unique sound. Obviously he has extraordinary god given talent. The cd's production is also top notch and his session players are fantastic.
Put the disc into your computer to watch a 9 minute making of the video.

Those whose idea of a guitar virtuoso is Jimi Hendrix probably won't be impressed by this album. Bernie Williams is a REAL guitarist whose years of studying classical guitar are obvious on this album. The music he plays here is technically challenging, and he plays it not only crisply but emotionally. The fact that he also wrote most of it makes it all the more impressive.

The songs are mostly soft latin jazz, a few with vocals (but Bernie doesn't sing), and the last one being a contemporary Christian song with Bernie's kids singing (it's adorable).

As a Red Sox fan, I felt as if I was compromising my principles by buying this album. But as a true music lover, it was a good choice.

Right off the bat (no pun intended), this collection merits a "Six-Star" review from me...

I am not normally a listener of "Smooth Jazz" and such, and I am a tough sell when it comes to something I will listen to musically. Admittedly out of curiousity I gave the CD an honest listen on the Bernie Williams website expecting no more than just another novelty collection from a less than qualified celebrity tinkering with the effort.

Well...I stand totally humbled, corrected, and most pleasantly surprised with this collection. This collection absolutely stands on its own merits musically, and compositionally. La Salsa En Mi is an infectious track that you will want to play over and over. I was touched by the tribute to Bernie's father on Para Don Berna. The other tracks speak for themselves and they are all strong.

I heard one or two tracks on the radio awhile back and now after listening to this collection, I can not wait for the next collection!!!

Even if Bernie Williams were not the featured performer, this would be a great CD.

The Yankees' center fielder has another gift -- he communicates with his guitar. Cuts "Just Because", "Dust in the Wind" and "La Salsa en Mi" are worth the CD's price alone.

What can I say? Bernie is a multi-faceted individual who is clearly a professional both at centerfield in Yankee Stadium as well as in the recording studio. You listen to the CD and you have to smile. The music is relaxing, invigorating and "feel good". The song that really does it for me is "La Salsa En Mi". With every time Bernie strums the main theme you can feel his soul coming through. Very recommended.

Finally people can see just how special this Yankees Center fielder is. Just Because, a dedication to his wife is a classic "smooth jazz" piece. My favorite is Stranded on the bridge for its upbeat tempo. Bernie has hit a home run with his first album.