Customer Reviews

New Electronic Folk Music

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Here's the flip side of the story that is related inaccurately, second and third hand, in some of the other reviews here. Although one may discount my version (I am obviously biased, as David Turin's father), one cannot ignore it, since I do have first-hand, real-time knowledge about the whole affair. Here are some of the facts I know:

The CD's genesis was almost ten years ago, when Perry Ferrell, with whom David was working closely at the time, mentioned that David and Milla Jovovich might do a track for an album he was putting together. David and Milla went to dinner at Perry's house to discuss this, but Perry ultimately had second thoughts about the track.

David and Milla then decided to continue working on tracks together, and did so on and off for about two months. She was as excited as he about what was to become the Peopletree Sessions, even offering to pay for them to be produced as an art album for the "underground" market (online and in independent record shops). David subsequently put much time and money into creating a CD that would show this other side of Milla. She personally approved the final master CD and its packaging. Shortly after its release (August 1998), Milla's associate Chris Brenner was quoted online as saying "We had a lot of fun creating ideas with its producer David Turin ... and we are both pleased with the result."

About a year later, the tone started changing, with Milla and Chris eventually completely disowning the CD. We conjecture that people in the movie and fashion industries that surround Milla felt it was bad for her image. Chris's latest rewriting of history - there were many - is given in a quotation attributed to him in another review here. (One can discern the volatility of Chris's nature by reading his obscene and out-of-control comment on the positive review given by Justin Me on 11/19/04, below; that volatility has been a hallmark of this dispute.) David has been absolutely astonished by the ever-increasing misrepresentations and calumnies. Given Milla's latter-day opposition, however, he limited production to the first 2000 CDs pressed, and attempted (unsuccessfully) to get Cherry Red to discontinue an ongoing plan for a separate release to the UK "underground" market.

Because of the constraints on production and distribution, David made no money from the CD. He nonetheless dutifully paid Milla royalties twice: a check on 2/1/00 that she cashed, and a check on 2/21/01 paid to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at her request. (One may bemusedly ask: if Milla, as now claimed, didn't authorize the CD, why would she accept royalties on it?)

What goads me into writing this so many years after the original controversy? It's because I see my son continuing to be defamed - as recently as 11/28/06 on this Amazon page - by those who unthinkingly and uncritically parrot Milla and Chris's revisionist mudslinging. Let me again set the record straight for the Amazon community: David entered into a project with Milla in good faith and fulfilled his original agreement with her. Milla is entitled to a change of heart, but not to a change of history.

I have given this CD an admittedly biased five-star rating, but at least I agree with the Guardian newspaper in London, which on 2/11/00 called it "so barking it's great."

This young woman has sure been busy! Model, actress--now singer, she excells at everything she does; and no more so than at singing. This album is absolutely breathtaking, wonderfully orchestrated, with apparent touches of Irish, Mediterranean and African inspiration thrown in. There is no way to describe her music; it's just beautiful. I would reccommend this album to everyone who's in to light, (yet jaunty at times, as in "Gentlemen Who Fell" and "It's Your Life"), optimistic-sounding music. Well done, Milla--keep 'em coming, and I'll keep buying!

This is an odd CD. The music is eclectic and hard to define. That does not mean that it's bad though. I really liked it. I would describe most tracks with the phrase, 'free style techno-jazz.' I only bought the CD because I am a huge Milla fan. So I am probably a little biased towards her work. But I still think that most people who enjoy strange off-beat, free style music will appreciate 'The Peopletree Sessions.' So if you are a fan of Milla or of this musical genre you should check this CD out. Also check out Milla's 'The Divine Comedy' CD. It is more conventional than Peopletree, but it is an amazing CD. ...

I found this gem a few years ago, probably about a year post-release. And truthfully, I didn't even know who Milla Jojovich was (yeah, what planet am I on, right?). I was rifling through the stacks of a record exchange shop, looking for some new grooves after getting hooked on the likes of Massive Attack's Mezzanine and Portishead. I gave this a listen and immediately liked it. You could say that, uh, it struck a chord (plus, it was used, so I got a DEAL).

So enough about the preamble, let me digress even further: I just watched Resident Evil, 'cause I needed a Milla Fix. Then I listened to PeopleTree Sessions again and you know, it's amazing, some of the parallels. Red Queen and flu and all...(and if you're familiar with Alice in Wonderland, you may know that the Red Queen refers to the 'running to stand still' adage, how appropos).

The CD I have is the first release, so I've not heard this reissue. I know it's gotta be great. Milla's voice is sultry and playful, the music is dreamy and layered and danceable - or you can just kick back and enjoy the ride. I bet they had a lot of fun making this. I'm glad that there will be more exposure for her music now, and I hope that she feels inspired soon to do something else along these lines. I really can't offer you any afficionado-ese; I know what I like but I'm no techie. I can tell you that if you like Bjork or Portishead, Massive Attack or Dot Allison..you'll probably dig PeopleTree.

This album, while containing vocal tracks by Milla Jovovich, was not done with her permission. While the music is good, it was not made with Milla or with her permission. All music was added to her recordings without her knowledge.

Therefore, if you would like to support Milla, buy "The Divine Comedy", the only album actually made by her.

However, if you wish to support the exploitation of a talented artist, buy this album. While the vocals are done by her, that's where her work stopped.

I love Milla Jovovich. As an actress, a model, and a musician. Just as a person as well. This album just makes me love her and respect her even more. And I'm not just saying that because I'm fond of her.. she's a great artist. She's completely original.
Well im honored to be the first person to review on this.. I hope it helped.

I was unaware of Milla unauthorizing this material when I bought it. I was once again swindled out of my money. I love The Divine Comedy, but this is nothing less than a horrible exploitation of Milla. The tracks are something different, if that is what you're looking for. They are not, however, what I was looking for or expecting to hear. I can't tell the difference between many of these tracks. All they are is a bunch of strange rythms (if you would even call them rythms) with Milla's voice added into them and repeated until you want to scream at whoever produced it and punch them in the armpit. If you're a Milla fan, don't buy it. You'd just be giving money to some selfish sons of motherless goats. Also, the music doesn't sound anything like what Milla would produce. If you're into this kind of music, I guess you can go ahead, but i don't approve.

I think this cd is really great. I suppose it may be difficult to listen to and understand for some people, but I find it to be extremely original and unique. It definitely takes an open mind to get through this cd, but for those that are looking for a different genre of music should check it out. I am an instant fan of all Milla's musical works. The Divine Comedy is a wonderful cd too, probably my favorite because it is inspirational, folky, and almost innocent. Milla is amazing at everything she does. And she has such a beautiful voice. Anyone looking for something "new" should really check out her work.

This album is terrible. I wasted $13.00 on an album that consists of digital drool with drug-induced rambling vocals over the top. I have heard that Milla did not authorize the production of this album and I can see why. The music is terrible. I love you Milla, but you have to defend yourself from people who would exploit you and your fans. Love the song on the Underworld soundtrack but this just makes my ears bleed. This is what happens with rich kids with sound equipment think they are creative. Watch out.

I've always loved this CD since it was circulating years ago in LA - plus its very misunderstood! The idea that Milla was screwed by this may not be true. Have you seen the milla controversy page on peopletree.com telling their side of things? Anyway, this CD is art and it goes with the crazy world we live in.