Customer Reviews

Naked to the World

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have this Cd on tape, and it's wearing out, this is Teena at her best. "Naked to the World" is an AWESOME cut, and it's one of my favorites. I'll put La Dona, right up there with this. Both are must have music!

Iris

Teena Marie proves in opus III that no other white female artist has ever come close to the talent of "lady T" with R&B music; not mariah..not christinia...and not brittney. Teena Marie is so underrated, there can never be antoher even close to this soulful artist.

This is one of my fave Teena Marie albums. It moves, seduces, entices and entrances. From the slick groove of Trick Bag to the seductive call of Ooo La La La to the urban dance funk of Surrealistic Pillow to the emotional wallop of Naked To The World, Teena does not miss a step on this full digital recording. This cd is a Masterpiece even by contemporary standards-especially by contemporary standards!!

Teena Marie is the best vocalist, male or female, of our time. Her voice is as a custom musical instrument that only she can play. Her singing is equalled only by her writing. She is a poet. Soft, sensual, funky, and more. She should have been a mega-star. Her talent is pure. It's real. When the world once again demands talent of its performers and when comparisons are made, Teena Marie will one day be the standard against all others are held.

The most interesting aspect of Teena Marie's career has been her ability to balance her abstract and introspective side...with some of the most infectious grooves ever to be created.

Released in 1988, this album is on the the totally opposite side of the spectrum of it's predecessor "Emerald City". While the album certainly contains sci-fi moments (Most notably the brilliant "Surrealistic Pillow"), Teena seems to have made a concerted effort to compiled a collection of songs more in the direct R&B vein.

"Ooh La La La", Teena's smashing #1 single, is perhaps the most remembered track on this album. An ode to many of the classic soul songs of the 60s and 70s, "Ooh La La La" is irresistable. The other single that charted on the R&B Top 10 is the jazzy "Work It", dedicated to the Ohio Players, complete with an amazing trumpet solo (matched with Teena's infamous scatting).

Teena reunites with her mentor, Rick James, on two underrated tracks. The funky "Call Me (I Got Yo Number)" is another chronicle of their relationship, which at this point had only been speculated upon by the public. The romantic "Once & Future Dream" is the other duet. Why this track is not mentioned in the same sentance as "Fire & Desire" and "Happy" is beyond me. This is one of Teena's greatest lyrics ("If I swam so deep into the ocean/and found Atlantis and the kingdom of Neptune/Then I'd ive them both to you") and certainly a stellar performance from both her and Slick Rick.

The collaboration with Bernadette Cooper of Klymaxx ("Crocodile Tears") is one of the funkiest moments on the CD, along with the Rick James-inspired "The Ball" (written as a follow-up to his own "Jefferson Ball" from "Bustin Out of L Seven").

The album's title track is one of the most introspective tracks of Teena's career and is the perfect end cap for an incredibly well sculpted album.

"Personality walk, Personality talk, Personality you've got it" and that Teena has a generous amount of and some in that amazing voice that is one of the finest & greatest ever! "Trick Bag" a red-hot cooker of an opener grabs one immediately and would have been a huge mega-hit but promotion was poor and radio didn't pick up on it for some strange reason! Funky and soulful Lady T throughtout this winning collection of classic great originals and the music industry lost out big-time dropping the ball on this one but sales were strong anyway...little wonder the music industry is in such a poor state when something this great is overlooked & if by a male this would have been a blockbuster with multiple Grammy Awards...yuck! Hot romance is sublime in sexy rocker "Call Me (I Got Yo Number)"a great duet with Rick James that would have been another huge hit if released on a single...with all the crap on the airwaves it is incredible great stuff like this is not played which is why so many true music lovers tune out radio...who needs it? What is wrong with the music industry and why is nobody doing anything about it by getting behind great talent such as Teena Marie? Lady T simmers and soars with the glorious "Ooo La La La" a hit anyway with minimun airplay that would have gone to #1 with more deserved airplay & the funky "Crocodile Tears" is a great jam with hit sound written all over it! "Opus III-The Second Movement" is a spiritual tribute to departed greats and "Surrealistic Pillow" is a great ride that you won't want to end spinning in ones head long after it is over! Spiritual romantic bliss is celebrated magically in the gorgeous "The Once And Future Dream" a vocal duet sweeping musical fantasy that is lush and beautiful to listen to. Hot, jazzy and funky is the cooking "Work It", a complete celebration that ultimately is another Teena classic along with the rhythm rocker "The Ball". Closing raw and soulful "Naked To The World" stands supremely as one of the all time great Teena Marie classics as Lady T turns this magnificant ballad inside out as only she can and the plea is deeply soulful and moving. "Naked To The World" is best relaxing with a glass of wine and everything else tuned out...a magnificent soulful anthem that is one of the finest ever and get ready to use that repeat mode for this one. Teena possesses one of the most brilliant & moving original voices ever and never has Teena been finer or more powerfully moving than she is throughout this wondrous set which is a stunning Masterpiece...Bravo Teena and thank you for all the musical magic!

I love this album and I love Trick Bag.

As ALways Teena Marie Offers up a Good Solid Mix Of Styles&VIbes.The Music SHifts From Solid SLow Jams To Uptempo Grooves.I'm So Happy Cuz She is Working With Rick James on Here.Call Me is The Jam as is Once&Future Dream.Teena MArie is a Great Talent Period.As Writer,Arranger,Producer,VOcalist&Instrumentalist She Is Always On Point.

Opus III is a fantastic display of Lady T's talent. The delicate way in which she wraps her voice around the melody is a true delight for any listener.

This album is simply fantastic. Teena Marie bows to the trends of the late- 1980s sythesizer-pop, and while this sounds dated now, Marie includes enough strong songs and that amazing voice to make you forget that. "Trick Bag" is a delightful way to open the album, and her duet with Rick James on "The Once and Future Dream" is one of her best ballads; their voices blend superbly. "Work It" showcases the jazzier side of Marie, and "Surrealistic Pillow" the funkier side. The album contains just the right mix of dance songs and ballads, and, along with Marie's strong, assured delivery, you can't help but be entranced.