Customer Reviews

Move By Yourself

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Donny's self-titled album was great and most of the songs had a nice island vibe. But I'm wondering if his latest album Move By Yourself is on Lost Highway Records because of his own decision, or if he was dropped from Brushfire Records because he sounded too much like Jack Johnson (which he still does). Whatever the case, that really doesn't matter because there ain't a thing wrong with this album.

Donavon Frankenreiter may have one of the longest names in the music business, but he does do a good job exhibiting his personality and talent throughout his songs. I don't know how long this album took to make considering there are no liner notes whatsoever, but the songs definitely don't sound rushed. Things start off on the right track with the motivational title track, which doesn't give you that heard-it-all-before feeling. Another otherwise typical song with a unique edge would be the we-are-the-world track "All Around Us".

Funky tracks are also highlights, like "Girl Like You" and especially "That's Too Bad (Byron Jam)", an aptly titled song because it sounds like something a jam band would produce. And if you're feenin' for more of that island style, try "Let It Go" or "These Arms" on for size. The album also closes well with the acoustic "Beautiful Day", which should help you have just that.

While I don't exactly agree with the editorial reviewer when he compared Donny to Boz Scaggs and Curtis Mayfield, I DO agree that this is an exceptional album, so if you've never heard of Donavon Frankenreiter, get a move on to your nearest record store and pick up Move By Yourself.

Anthony Rupert

Donavon Frankenreiter's voice and unique guitar style made his self-titled, first studio release an undeniable force in the world of mellow music. But his sophomore offering unshackles DF from the grouping chains that binded him to be just another Jack Johnson-alike musician. Even though his voice sounds alot like JJ's, Donavon's voice is much clearer and very smooth and heartfelt.

This album is much different than his first album. While the first album is very beachy and almost reliant on his guitar skill, this second album is much more...funky. It is packed full with keyboards and pianos and the bass is extremely hard on this album and its perfect. It is a very refreshing metamorphisis.

This album is on Lost Highway Records, instead of Jack Johnson's Brushfire. And I personally believe that DF tried to breakaway from being clumped with Jack's style. He clearly shows that he can make your feet stomp in a completely different way than Jack.

The big thing about this album is that not one song seems forced and everything just flows. Donavon's voice is just so pure and every part of the album has clearly been optimized to perfection. Bass, organ,keyboard,drums, you name it. Everything sounds unique and utilized to the fullest.

Easily the best tracks are "Beautiful Day","The Way It Is","Move By Yourself","That's Too Bad","All Around Us."

This album is definately not like his first, but it is so refreshing to have an artist like Donavon to mix up some of his stuff and show us something...cool! This album has everything you like from DF, and some funk to it too. I can't tell you a big flaw with this album, because I personally think there aren't any.

If you are a fan of Jack Johnson, A.L.O. and G.Love, and especially open-minded to something not EXACTLY like what you've heard, then ick it up. You will definately not regret it!

Not many artists follow up 1st albums with better ones. DF did well on this and turned a little more southern rock sounding (I don't think he's southern but he's got a little of it going in the funk). I've seen him in concert about 3 or 4 times and he's incredible. The album has some good soft tunes and some good fast ones. My only gripe with DF is that the songs from both albums sound very similar but if you like one you're sure to like them all. Get this album just to make sure you have a good solid beachy southern rock funk album in your collection you can be proud of during your next gathering with friends.

Man what can I say.This cd has something for everyone.Funk,Rock and some great acoustic guitar. This cd is gonna turn my 4 year old into a rock star. A great cd to play with friends or if you wanna chill by yourself.Not a filler track on it!

I've been a Donovon F. Fan since before the first record was released. He's definately hit a home run in my book with this second album. From the funky 'That's Too Bad' to the rockin', bluesy 'Fool' this is a solid album throughout.

I suggest buying the Japanese import version which includes the Don Williams cover 'Stay Young' and the Dylan cover 'Spanish Harlem Incident'.

donvan's unique guitar style and honest lyrics are very refreshing...if you like jack johnson, g-love, hendrix or just really good music with soul and originality, you need to have this album in your collection...

I love this album. Its complete with beautiful lyrics and vocals, slammin funky grooves, and a killer beat throughout that make you remember why you love music. I thoroughly respect donavon's work on this album, as it challenges his previous work and promises to bring "good" music back into style. I would recommend it to anyone.

One crime against humanity two years ago is how the general public ignored one of the catchiest songs in recent years with Free by Donavon Frankenreiter. For most people, sadly they just thought it was written for a car commercial. Granted I'm as much to blame as I overlooked his album. But that isn't the case the second time around as I gave a listen to his follow up Move by Yourself. This time around he's no longer on fellow surfer tuned musician Jack Johnson's Brushfire label and goes with more of a seventies vibe.

The album starts of with the one two punch of the title track and The Way it Is. Move by Yourself is a funky dance track with keyboards that sound right off the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack, and I don't mean that in a bad way because Donavan's laid-back silky vocal compliment the track. The Way It Is may slow it down just a slight, but the keyboards will still be able to keep you moving. Either song would do well to get any party started this summer.

Unfortunately when Donavon slows things down real slow starting with By Your Side, the songs lose the intensity of the upbeat tracks and are too mellow to the point they almost put you to sleep. This is most noticeable on Fool, a long jam, that may play a lot better live, under the stars at a concert, but on an album, I kept looking to see when it would end. Things get back on track at the end when Donavon bring some gospel singers to help him out on All Around Us and he also finally masters the slower song when he closes the album with the most simplistic song on the album, Beautiful Day. And no, it's not a U2 cover.

Was skeptical about this one. Thought his first album was a little too happy for my tastes but after seeing Donavon live I was hooked. New album will not dissapoint. Lots of funky 70's keys and even some disco strings, as well as the laid back tunes he's known for. This will be getting lots of play this summer.

I liked it when I previewed the music on Amazon. I listened to it for a little while, then I just forgot about it.
Wasn't something I thought about, afterwards.