Customer Reviews

Love Story

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album took a while to grow on me. Not to say that I hated this album, but when I first bought it, I didn't hear any singles from it ("Emotional Rollercoaster" is out but I don't listen to the radio so I just went out on a whim and bought it from word of mouth). Therefore, I listened to the album expecting nothing from this lady who toured extensively with Maxwell, and I thought it was pretty decent. Then, as we all do, I listened to it more and more and A Love Story is becoming one of my favorite albums next to Laurnea's Betta Listen and Jill Scott's Who Is Jill Scott? (all three of them are from the Sony corporation).

This album has a great mix of R&B, soul, and jazz. It also will cover any mood you're in at the time. "Music" is a fun little ditty when you just wanna snap your fingers; "No Sittin' By the Phone" is a dark, depressing jazzed-up tune that you don't want to listen to while you're alone and drunk; the catchy "Superwoman" is the perfect "get-your-man-straight" song; and "Ain't Nuttin' But Love" is a good, breezy-day type of song while you appreciate love. But my favorite songs are the romantic "Be Good to You" and "What is Love?" (the piano background sounds very elegant and classy).

Vivian isn't a bad singer either. She doesn't try to do every ad-lib in the world and she can hit the high notes naturally. As far as the lyrics go, I thought that some of them sounded a little trite at first, but they also grew on me. I hope she gets more promotion than she's getting right now (what's up with Sony and not promoting the right artists? Maybe they're sastified with their B2K money?). Well, low promotion or not, I advise you to get this album NOW!

This CD is so REAL! It completely lives up to its title. It's her love story (and everyone's) about relationships - when everything is all sweet and perfect in the beginning, through the crying and breaking up, through trying to cope with being alone and convincing yourself that you made the right choice, to starting over and finally finding true love. I had a personal revelation about almost every song on the CD. I'm about to go listen to it now... and have another breakdown. Hee hee hee

I originally saw Vivian Green perform as the opening act at Maxwell's concert at the Tower Theater in Philly. I was so blown away by her live performance that I was on her website the following day at work (don't tell my boss). I purchased her CD the day it was released. I couldn't be more pleased. Defenitely one of those CDs you can listen to it from beginning to end.

Mind you, I have been pretty disgruntled with the current state of R&B/Soul music lately. Most R&B/Soul albums that are released today are cliched, generic and feature far too many guest appearances. I guess this is probably what I like most about this album: it is all Vivian Green. This album is perhaps one of the most consistent albums that I have heard in the past year. IMO, while all of the songs are potential victims of the repeat button, the standout tracks are Superwoman, What Is Love?, Emotional Rollercoaster, Affected, Fanatic,. Be Good To You and Complete(my personal favorite). Sure, some of what Vivian Green is doing on this album has been done before, but A Love Story sounds much better than 85 percent of whats being passed off as R&B/Soul music today. This is a very solid debut album.

I must admit that the main reason I bought the album was because I LOVE Emotional Rollarcoaster... as I listened to the entire cd I realized that I had made a great purchase. I was so suprised to find out that Vivian Green is only 23 years old because she sings about topics that are so deep. I honestly do enjoy all the songs on the c.d ( number 2 I could do without). "What is love?" not only relates so well to me but it has to be the best song on the c.d. I also love "Addicted", "No sittin by the phone", "Complete" is amazing...I just really love the c.d....I have had it for a week and I listen to it everyday several times through. I really hope that people will give Vivian Green a chance, she is a young beautiful woman who will only improve as she ages. Do not expect a breakthrough album, but definetly a good listen. I hope she recieves the recogntion and success she deserves. Go out and buy the cd for youself and you be the judge...you will not regret it.

Once I heard Vivian first single and the power in her voice, I just knew the rest of the CD would be just as strong as the first single. I bought the CD not knowing nothing about the artist except the first single. It had to be something very special about the artist for me to purchase her CD and Vivian has it. Your money would be well spent on Vivian Green. She is a artist that is not getting enough credit for her work.

It's definitely about time. An R&B/Jazz/Pop (whatever you desire to call it) artist has release a brilliant, exceptional, creative piece of work. Ms. Green, where have you been all of our lives? You are really a fresh breath of air. Sarah, Nancy, Anita, Sade, Regina, Ella, etc. have got to be proud of you. At just 23 years of age, you are doing it!!!!!!! This music is a masterpiece. I absolutely love all of these songs. In my opinion, you are the hottest female singer out there right now. My favorites on your CD are "Wishful Thinking", "What Is Love", "Music", "Emotional Rollercoaster", "Final Hour", "No Sittin' By The Phone", "Affected", "Fanatic" and "Keep On Going". I only wish that former hitmakers like Toni Braxton and Mariah Carey take your cue and start making beautiful mature music again instead of the 13-22 age range of hip-slop-hop they're making now. I still can't believe at 23, you're capable of such radiant tunes. You and Norah Jones are to be commended. As a 45 year old "REAL MUSIC WITH REAL INSTRUMENTS LOVER", thank you for your music.

Vivian Green's CD seems to have listeners divided (based on the other reviews I'm reading here). While it's not boring or contrived as some would argue, it also won't make Green r&b's "Next Big Thing." Instead, "Love Story" is a modestly-crafted record that will appeal to those who will appreciate it on its own terms following a few listens. This is laid-back soul with light touches of jazz, devoid of the faux-boho/neo soul stamp. We get the soulful stride of the catchy "24 Hour Blue" and "Fanatic;" the jazzed-up "No Sittin' By the Phone," and the assertive "Superwoman" (no, it's not a remake of the Karyn White hit). This debut is far from revolutionary, and it covers familiar ground both musically and lyrically, but "Love Story" does have promise and is a respectable outing. It gets a B in my school of music.

It's really nice to find so many artists coming on the scene now who have been blessed with the gift of creating "meaningful music." We can now add Ms. Vivian Green to the list. She is awesome! The entire CD is great, but my favorite track is #11. I play it over, and over, and over...
So if you're looking for the perfect addition to your music collection, pick this one up. You'll wonder why you waited so long.

Vivian once again adds tot he neo-soul scene by droping "Love story" on us for the '02. Following in the foot steps of Jill Scott who she sung back up for....nwo she is her own star. She has a lot of writing talent .....writing for stars like britney spears and a few other groups to label a few. So the fact that she wrote the whole entire thing I give her credit for alone....plus the composing of the music. Now to the tracks....whats tight?

*Wishful thinking
*24 hour blue
*Superwoman
*What is love? -- Nice jazzy track with a deep message
*Emotional rollercoaster -- something we all can relate to.
*Final Hour -- Another deep track...with great music behind it.
*Fanatic
*Aint nothing but Love
*Be good to you
*Keep on going

Overall Vivian did something different with this by telling a story with all the songs..letting them flow one song into the next. She put ideas and feelings into her songs that really sound like they came from her...giving this something different to other cds. Looking for something with creativity and a slightly diferent spin on r+B?..then this one is for you. If you never heard a story put to music..then its time to hear this "Love Story".

Get It!

Twenty-three years old, I think not. This is an impressive debut from 23 year old, Philadelphia native, Vivian Green. She successfully combines all of the classic characteristics that have come to be know as soulful R&B music. Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, India.Aire, Alicia Keyes appeared to be the start of neo-classic soul female artists in an industry where commercial success has been male dominated. Vivian Green has done one thing that I believe these other artists have not been able to accomplish to date and that is revive classic R&B music and introduce it to the young hip-hop audience without compromising the integrity and beauty that is often associated with this genre of music. Another thing worth mentioning is that this young lady is definitely the truth. She is just as genuine and talented live as she is on disc. Digitally enhanced would definitely not be a phrase to describe this young lady or her music. She illustrates her ability to go from heart wrenching ballads on the soul stirring "What is love?" to the funky, head nodding "Fanatic". One can definitely expect to hear and see great things out this young lady. If you can appreciate good music, then this is definitely something that you don't want to miss out on.