Customer Reviews

Lover in Me

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I received this album for christmas and from the moment I put in my player, I loved it. I am a Sheena fan, however, and had heard "The Lover In Me", "Days Like This", "101", "No Deposit, No Return", and "Follow My Rainbow". Those songs were all released somewhere in the world as singles. Anyway, this is a great album, and here is a synopsis track by track to guide you (to the add to shopping cart button).
1. "No Deposit, No Return"-This was a song released as a single in the U.S. It did not chart on any chart. It is somewhat a weaker track than others, but it's still enjoyable. The beat is very good also.
2. "The Lover In Me"-This is definitely the most memorable song from this album. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Pop Charts. This is also the song that persuaded me to listen to her later dance material. It's just a great song.
3. "Follow My Rainbow"-This is an outstanding ballad written solely by a big name on this album, Babyface. This was released as a single only in Germany. It did not chart anywhere according to sources. The part that is so great about this ballad is that it is something you would find on a dance album. The R&B ballads really fits into the puzzle here.
4. "Without You"-This is a mid-tempo song that is another R&B song that works great on this album. I just love the flute solo starting at about 3:26. This probably should have been a single.
5. "If It's Meant To Last"-It was mentioned in the booklet that this song was produced by a previous co-worker of Madonna. That's interesting. It has a very catchy chorus with a fitting key change after the bridge. This is another great track.
6. "Days Like This"-This was the second single released in the U.S. It charted at 36 on the R&B chart. The beat here is great and the fresh R&B sound definitely shines here.
7. "One Love"-Feel the beat here! There is definitely single potential on this track. The pounding synths fit with this track very well. The beat here is strong is a danceable. This is also one of many tracks on this album that try to project Sheena's new image.
8. "101"-This could possibly be the best track on this album. A dance remix of this track charted at number 2 on the dance charts. That is also the remix included on this album. Prince wrote this song as Joey Coco and we all know Prince + Sheena=Good Music!
9. "Cool Love"-This track was written by Prince also. This is a bit of a weaker track in my opinion. It is still a pretty catchy R&B song.
10. "Fire And Rain"-This is a nice song to end an R&B dance album. It's a nice moderate mid-tempo ballad.
So, as you can see, "The Lover In Me" is the CD to get! The new sound of R&B dance was clearly for Sheena Easton. As to the remixes, the best one is the dance remix of "101". It's nice to have that on this CD because that is the version that charted on the dance charts. So, stop thinking about it and just buy the CD!

Some of Sheena's other CD reissues have done right with the bonus tracks (for instance, both the extended and dub mixes from the original 12" of Telefone on "Best Kept Secret"), but here, we get wasted space with 7" versions of 2 of the tracks. Both "Days Like This" and "No Deposit No Return" were available in extended remixes, and THOSE mixes should have been on here instead of radio edits! As for "The Lover In Me" dub, of course the actual extended version should have been on here. On the bright side, I'd consider this 'dub' an ALTERNATE extended mix because it is actually not a traditional dub---it has all the vocals!

A great late 80's dance/pop/r&b album from the vastly underrated Sheena Easton. Contrary to the editorial review this is not the first release of the album on CD (what the hell? Do they actually think major labels weren't releasing their albums on CD in 1988?), but this release does include 4 alternate mixes (unfortunately none of them new to most collectors; and even the remixes were issued on CD-singles and promo CD's back in '88 & '89!). It would have been great if they had included an unreleased track or new remix maybe.

Grab it while you can because Sheena CD releases often disappear before you know it. Just ask those looking for either release of "Todo Me Recuerda A Ti" on CD!

In late 1988, Sheena Easton teamed up with three producers for this project: The then-red-hot production team of L.A. Reid and Babyface; Angela Winbush and Prince and the result was the best, most consistent album of her career.

Sheena had already shed the goody-two-shoes image she projected early in the decade by hooking up with Prince and recording such bad-girl fare as "Sugar Walls" and "U Got The Look".

By the time she recorded this album, Sheena was a pop siren with a killer body whose voice was never better.

The typical LA/Babyface percussion opens the album with "No Deposit, No Return". It's very representative of the Minneapolis sound and even has some of the S.O.S. Band's "The Finest" in its blood. There's some great piano in it and Sheena has never sounded sassier, even more so than she did on "Strut".

The momentum keeps going with "The Lover in Me" which reached #2 on Billboard in early 1989 and was a big club hit. "Lover" swings with the Minneapolis sound (the only songs that best it IMO are "Everybody Dance" by Tamara & the Seen and "Fishnet" by Morris Day) and is pure pop/dance perfection. There's a great piano/saxophone break; gorgeous, clipped string accents throughout, as well as Sheena's sultry spoken passages. This is perhaps my second favorite track on the album.

After the fantastic "Lover", things slow down, perhaps TOO much on "Follow My Rainbow". It brings the album to a dead halt. The effect is like hitting a brick wall after completing laps at the Indy 500. The song would have been better with a slightly quicker tempo, maybe something like Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time". "Rainbow" is typical '80s easy-listening muzak, perhaps the weakest track here. It does feature backing vocals by Babyface though.

Next is "Without You", another slower number, but thankfully more upbeat than "Rainbow". Sheena sings in a sexy lower register on it. The guitar gives it a power-pop-lite flavour, though it does suffer a little from a basic repetitive chorus. It's not bad but not great either.

The superbly upbeat "If It's Meant to Last" was produced by Jellybean Benitez and is like a big party from start to finish. The drumming is excellent, and the bells and chimes add to the whimsical flavour. This is one of the most fun, enjoyable songs here.

Side Two (in the days of vinyl) opens with "Days Like This", which features the Wedding March filtered through a strangely-gloomy synth. It has interesting keyboards and the darker tone of the lyrics matches the slightly offbeat music. It, too, has that familiar Minneapolis dance sound.

"One Love" features the same production as "Days" but is different enough to be just as good, if not slightly better. It even has backup vocals by The Deele.

The big showstopper and my favorite track comes in the smoldering "101". From the steady, erotic beat to the way Sheena pants and wails her way through this one, it is spectacular. It has Prince's stamp all over it and the lyrics paint the picture so well you can practically visualize a dark room full of 99 candles. The music has a sense of uneasiness about it with odd noises such as exploding cannons and airplanes crashing. Sheena has never sounded so passionate and committed. Her vocals coupled with the neurotic arrangement can't help the listener from feeling her spiraling out of control. Just try and not feel her pain when she wails "WHYYY can't you come see about me".

Prince also brings us "Cool Love". Though not as layered and complex as "101", it's likeable and is interesting the way the guitar solo gives way to a cello before the guitar takes over again.

The closing number is another slow number, the sultry ballad "Fire and Rain". This is probably the best of the slow jams, and features prominent backup by Angela Winbush.

Sheena's earlier albums contained too much filler and ballads for me to love them as I do this one. The production on this album really showed off Sheena in her best light and I recommend it as her best work.

Sheena Easton is a great talent with great versatility and awesome vocals. This set was from the 80's when her popularity was lessening. One listen to this and you will wonder why for this is an amzing set. Music at that time was trendy but she managed to create a cohesive set of quality dance tracks, r@b and ballads. All the songs have true substance and utilize her amazing range so the recording remains timeless.

The hit of course was the title track THE LOVER IN ME but there are many standouts here. NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN is a very catchy uptempo number, FOLLOW MY RAINBOW is a beautiful ballad and DAYS LIKE THIS and FIRE AND RAIN are great r@b tracks. The best song here though is 101 where Sheena gives one of her best performances. The song is intense, sensual and uses all her talents.

The remastering here is excellent and provides great sound quality. There are also 4 bonus tracks of dance remixes. This cd is a must for all Sheena Easton fans. I wish all her albums would be reissued with the sound quality here.

I basically bought this hard to find cd given it had "Lover In Me" and "Follow My Rainbow" which was the song that was featured on Miami Vice. All-in-all, a good cd to add to your collection.

It was several years ago when I first heard the "The Lover In Me" twice on a couple of Urban AC format radio stations. From then onward I wanted to experience the album this delicious slice of Urban/Dance-pop came from.
I ordered the album brand new in December 2008. As the first song thundered through my boombox, I rose and started to dance. The album is consistantly pleasant. While, I was not immediately impressed by "Without You" and "Cool Love", they grew on me with repeat listen. Every song on this album gets 10 stars from me. "Without You", rates as a 9.5. I rate "Cool Love" an 8. It is plesantly catchy but not a standout track. "101" both in the original version and the David Morales Mix included here are absolutely fabulous! Sheena gives a exburantly, emotive, powerhouse vocal performance that leave little doubt it of her immense vocal skill. "One Love" should have been a single because it bit more hard hitting overall. I prefered it over "Days Like That" at first, but I enjoy both songs. The albums two ballads, the smooth "Follow My Rainbow" and the tender mid paced "Fire And Rain" show her capable of performing Rhythm and Blues and Soul with more skill and emotion than some R&B singers. Overall, "The Lover In Me" is a worthy addition to any music collection. If you enjoy Urban/Dance-pop songs and solid soulful ballads, I recommend this album highly!

In 1981 Sheena made her debut with her country hit song Morning Train until 1984 she met and dated Prince which she emerged from Country to R&B and Hip Hop with the controversal hit single Sugar Walls. In 1988 Sheena enlisted help besides Prince from Babyface, Jellybean and Soulstress Angela Winbush to record an all R&B album. overall I love this album especially the follow up with What Comes Natrually.

No Deposit No Return- I love this track best opening of a all R&B album which segues into

The Lover In Me- Love the video and she wore the same dress as the album cover. Besthit single

Follow My Rainbow- A song from Miami Vice and a very confident song about finding yourself and 1/3 ballads of this album.

Without You- An Angela Winbush song for Sheena, very outstanding and beautiful track 2/3 ballad of the album

If It's Meant To LAst- Very bashing track by Jellybean and Freestyle hit song especially the chorus

Days Like This- Another Babyface track penned and best song especially the video.

One Love - a duet with The Deele and Karyn White and last Babyface track I got to give to Babyface.

101- Very scary and creepy song about missing someone 100 nights and 101 wont do no good. person who's behinf this is Joey Coco(Prince) 1/2

Cool Love- I don't know who did this song Babyface or Prince?

Fire and Rain- last ballad and nice quiet storm song by Angela Winbush

I have always admired Sheena Easton, but her performance on the series Miami Vice was wonderful. If you haven't seen the series rent the DVD and watch her in the 5 episodes. The music in this CD is far above my expectations. Get it if you can. Beckie Huber