Customer Reviews

Land of the Living

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had the chance of seeing this wonderful artist in concert when this album was first released. She has such an incredible vocal range and an incredible stamina and persona. I got acquainted with her artistry upon the release of her single "Feel what You want" (which by the way has one the best videos of the decade) and waited eagerly for this album to come out. When it did I was beyond surprised, it was a zillion times better than what I expected. It is Jazzy; it is classy. It has some of the best lyrics that I have seen in any pop album in the past 10 years. And best of all it keeps you moving all along. It has been nearly five years since i bought this record and I still look for it when I'm in the mood for well written and produced music. Buy it ---you'll LOVE it.

Kristine Weitz's debut LAND OF THE LIVING not only secured her a string of huge club hits, but announced her as not only the finest vocalist to ever(yes, I said EVER) come out of the dance arena, but also one of the strongest vocalist of any popular genre to emerge in the last decade. Club denizens who loved such house anthems as 'Feel What You Want' and 'One More Try' got more where that came from here, expertly working not only house stompers('Let Me In','Don't Wanna Think')and electronic ballads('Love Song','Sweet Mercy Me') but throwing in a jazz-inspired club jam('Jazzin'). Vocally, she's simply in a league all by her lonesome--I enjoy Celine and Whitney(histrionics and all)as much as the next person, but this woman digs down DEEP for every single verse that she throws out--comparisons to such soul-drenched divas as Aretha or Chaka Khan would not be hypocritical or sacreligious here. This record, and the artist herself, is simply one of the finest things of any musical genre to come out of the nineties.

I bought this album in August 1996, on the strength of a review in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (which ordinarily doesn't review obscure, underground dance albums) which called Kristine W. the '90's Donna Summer. Well, that was good enough for me, and on a trip to Charleston, WV, I found the cassette version at, of all places, the mall record store there. I've since bought it twice on CD, the first one having been stolen, the second one autographed at her concert at St. Louis Gay Pride in '04.

The Post-Dispatch review didn't do the album justice, as I expected a disco-ey collection of music. Instead, this was idiosyncratic, true underground house music, thanks, I'm sure, to the production influence of Rollo & Rob D. In fact, her subsequent albums, while enjoyable and catchy, have gone in a more mainstream, pop-dance direction, and they just don't grab me like the first one did.

But there's That Voice. Listen to her sing the phrase "shoeshine blues" in Feel What You Want, and I dare you not to get a shiver down your spine. That Voice is what makes me a loyal fan; I would probably buy a CD of her singing German oom-pah music.

Live, Ms. Weitz is a multi-talented one-woman band. She sings to backing tracks but also plays percussion and saxophone and a couple of other instruments I've probably forgotten. A tightly choreographed routine is supported by back-up dancers, and she did not falter during the humid St. Louis summer heat, earning, for me, the title of The Hardest Working Woman In Show Business. (Note: LOVED the review of the guy who described in minute detail her outfit when she performed in '94 in Boystown - LOL)

Hello everyone! I first Saw Kristine W perform at the now defunct club called Vortex in Chicago's "Boystown" here on Halsted Street in 1994. The moment she stepped out onto the stage the whole audience was in awe. Her song "Feel What You Want" had been being played in heavy rotation all summer long('94) in the clubs, so finally people were able(especially me) to put a face with the name and song. I think it was Thanksgiving weekend(Sat. nite to be precise). She came out in an all platinum white/cream pant suit w/ matching white high heel shoes and a "V" bang short platinum blonde wig. And to top if off Kristine W had three to four platinum feather boas cascading behind her that were attached to an all white headdress. Plus she was wearing tight silk gloves that were also a crisp white while emmiting that husky yet soulful instrument into a microphone head set. She was the epitome of glamour and was so striking that she resembled a porcelin doll or that of the "white queen" in a chess set. Most of the people I was standing next to were in shock and saying,"Man, this chick can sing!" I was utterly transfixed with Kristine's voice and classy presence. She had single handedly brought Glamour back to this grim, dark and often times pretentious club. Kristine W. was singing a faster, up tempo(to this day I cannot find) club vocal version of "Feel What You Want". She followed it up with I think "Let Me In" where she was playing to the audience- naming names and stating,"Man I gotta be there...so come on LET ME IN!" By this time, the audience was so riled up in delight with Kristine W, that I believe that we all crowned her the new dance diva of Halsted St. She and her two female backup dancers made a couple of costume changes and showered us with more of her dance cuts which were to eventually to of become instant dance anthems- "One More Try" and I think it was "Land of the Living" but not 100% sure. She also did a cover medley of "Hot Stuff" and "She Works Hard for the Money which DONNA SUMMER would've been very proud of. While performing this number, I noticed the people at the front edge of the stage were so excited that they were hanging onto KRISTINE W's green-sequined dress with green banana leaf type accessories which may have been made of chiffon or silk taffeta(?). It was very Fellinisque. At this moment, I was thinking to myself, "Boy, KRISTINE W is really giving us an all out, 110%, non-stop, all heart performance!"
Afterwards, she stayed and autographed photos for a massive line of newely christened KRISTINE W fans. I was so nervous to talk to her but she immediately put me at ease. I asked her what the "W" stood for and she responded,"Oh it's for Weitz." She was so polite and engaging and probably thinking,"Oh my feet are aching.",(ha,ha- just kidding KRISTINE W if you're reading this). While doing her signing, the D.J. was playing her promo c.d.(which I ended up winning afterwards in a karaoke contest), "Feel What You Want" Came on and I sang a couple of verses in front of her, as if it were an impromtu audition. She looked at me in amazement as if she was thinking,"Man, this boy can sing!" Anyways, I'm not conceited but I loved "Feel" so much that I had to bust out a line or two and especially in front of the artist who created it. From that moment on, I became a true KRISTINE W fan and have bought almost everything KRISTINE W has put out(not counting some of those very hard to find imports and that uptempo club vocal version you sang that night Kristine). Maybe someone will notice the demand and put out a c.d. of these rare versions/remixes or reissue them on vinyl(I have a record player-hint,hint). Fans and new people coming on board "LAND OF THE LIVING" is a must have- it's a staple in your KRISTINE W collection. Also try to find "A PERFECT BEAT", KRISTINE'S 1ST album. It has a track:"GIVE ME TONIGHT" that appears on the movie soundtrack of Patrick Swayze's film,"ROADHOUSE"(1989)-I just saw it on cable a few days ago.
Thanks, PEACE- JULIUS-ALLAN
p.s. I'm leaving a list of KRISTINE W'S singles


KRISTINE W: THE SINGLES

DO YOU REALLY LOVE ME? 1985
A PERFECT BEAT 1986
GIVE ME TONIGHT 1989(appears in "ROADHOUSE")
FEEL WHAT YOU WANT 1994
ONE MORE TRY 1996
LAND OF THE LIVING 1997
I DON'T WANNA THINK ABOUT THAT 1997(released as an import)
JAZZIN' 1997(club release)
CLUBLAND 2000
STRONGER 2000
LOVING YOU 2001
STAND IN LOVE 2001
CRAZY LIFE 2003
FLY AGAIN 2003
SAVE MY SOUL 2004

If I could, I would rate Land of the Living 10 stars. All the songs are so unique. The first time hearing the cd, I thought, "with a voice like that, she's got to be big". After hearing the cd only once, we went to look for the cd, which I came to find at least a year later, unexpectedly. Where did they find Kristine? She has the most unique singing voice for a woman of her style. She's almost like the modern day Sam Brown. She's got that voice which is rich, soulful, non whiny and very powerful.

All songs are great, and worth listening to. To compare Land of the Living and Stronger, I think they are both good, with a decent selection of mix and match tracks. My favourites from LOTL are: LOTL, One more Try (both original and remix) Let me in, and Jazzin. These songs are all moving, upbeat songs which I bet could still rule the dancefloors to this day.

Inside are some nice images of Kristine closeups. She is a pretty lady, but is that her real hair, with the pink braids? Another thing about Kristine is her expressive, distinguished eyes. She has those wide-set entranced eyes which look glassy and full of thought. Each track tells its own story, and because there are no two songs alike, LOTL portrays an excellent singer and songwriter's capabilties.

There's not too much else to say but to go and buy LOTL for yourself. Bring back a few years to when dance music was talent and art.

Kristine W's Land Of The Living is by far the most amazing album I have ever purchased. Kristine is one of those amazing white singers that could easily be mistaken for a black woman if you only heard her voice and never saw her face (a la Lisa Stansfield). Standout tracks for me include:

"Land Of The Living" - the song starts off like that in a cabaret bar and then proceeds into full-on house, and her throaty vocals are amazing.

"Love Song" - one of the very few love songs where love and sex are both present.

"Let Me In" - again her vocals blew me away. I love the latin percussion on this track.

"Feel What You Want" - it starts off with eerie trance chord progression and then shfts into a house song

"Prairie Day" - the prelude to "One More Try". It was so beautiful, it should have been its own song.

"Don't Wanna Think" - as soon as the beat comes in, you can tell that the song is going to rock.

I've had this CD for several years now and it just gets better with age. This debut CD ranks as one of the most powerful firsts for any artist. Diva status has been established with the soulful, funky, unique sounds of Kristine W. A true gem. If you are a dance music fan you MUST have this. Watch for Kristine W's second CD "Love Reigns" to break all dance diva records when it comes out in Januay 2000. "ClubLand" will be the first single. Kristine W. is the one to watch!

I totally love this album. It is dark, moody, elaborate, sensual, and jazzy. It is nearly perfect vocally, musically and in songwriting. I STRONGLY recommend buying the import title version of "Stronger". It includes two bonus tracks which make a world of difference to the album, you won't be disappointed. I also recommend Donna Summer-"Another Place & Time" & "Love Is The Healer", Rozalla-"Everbody's Free" & "Don't Go Loose It Baby", Robin S.-"From Now On" and Millie Jackson-"Free and In Love" & "A Moment's Pleasure".

I can't get enough of Kristine W! This album is hot to the touch...It has to be the best dance album I've ever heard! I'm eagerly awaiting her follow-up to this extraordinary set! If only Madonna sounded half as good! Snaps to Kristine!

beyound words of excellence,..superb dance music, lyrics...emotional fufillment. Surpasses the next album, Stronger" (sorry). This album can help you pass any day away, never mind dance away...strongly suggest purchasing if you like dance music with an emotional word!!