Customer Reviews

Perfect Island Nights

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though he really never faded from the scene it has been awhile since he has put out a Bobby Caldwell "blue eyed soul" recording.
All I can say it was worth the wait. This could very well be his best recording ever! His originals are top notch and besides being an expert singer he is a master in the studio when it comes to his musicianship. Caldwell is able to craft perfect pitch harmonies and add great song structure and amazing hooks to all of his originals on this project. There are covers on the CD and he does justice to those as well but it just makes me livid that radio will only jump on covers and not the originals. This CD needs to be heard and Bobby deserves high praise for this stellar recording...go buy it now!!!

Brian Pearson
Deacon Grooves Media
Chicago

I too cannot stop listening to this CD!! I love each and every song....partial to the songs written by the talented Bobby Caldwell.
I bought this CD two weeks ago.......and have not taken it out of my cd player...I play it over...and over...and over. It's a 5 star CD!

I fell in love with Bobby Caldwell's voice and writing style, the moment I heard, "What You Won't Do For Love" almost thirty years ago. I've been following him ever since. I've loved much of his work, but nothing seemed to compare to "Heart of Mine." That is, until "Perfect Island Nights." Like "Heart of Mine," it's one of the few CDs im my collection that won't let me skip over a single track. It's that good. Bobby can wear his heart on his sleeve like no other. He teeters at times on the edge of cliche, but he never crosses that line. His arrangements are impeccable. And his harmonies rival artists like the Beach Boys and Chicago. If this CD were an LP, I would have worn it out already.

Carol Barbieri

Every home shoulda have one!!!
Like the title of an excellent album of the Patti Austin's golden era.
Bobby is back with a not jazzy production!
This is for real AOR/Westcoast-oriented flavour.
Just listen to the opening gem " IN THE AFTERLIFE" and you'll discover the pleasure of the good vibration at his best.
The following tracks are pure delight and softness!!!
BRAVO BOBBY, DO IT AGAIN!!!

In my opinion it's Caldwell's best album. He sounds fantastic, the songs are vintage Bobby Caldwell and the production is first rate. I can't stop listening to this album.

this is a great album,outstanding music, production,has been in my cd player all the time, great from work Bobby Caldwell

Classic Caldwell at it's best. Each cut and arrangement reflects his unique style and sound. The CD flows seamlessly. Once you start listening, there's no stopping.

Buy one for yourself and one for a friend. Bobby Caldwell hits a home run!

Smooth,silky,romantic,breezy,sohisticated,elegant music custom made for me.Production and mastering is first rate absolutely an audiophiles dream come true.....highly recommended.

I can't say this is his best, only because Bobby puts it down every single time!!! But if you can get your hands on this CD and you are a lover of R&B(I mean the good stuff) and a lover of Jazz with a hint of Latin flavor...just a hint, you owe it to yourself to own this one -You'll see what I mean. I just saw him perform at a Jazzfest in Baltimore and next week I'm going to see him in NYC on the CD 101.9 Jazz cruise. At the Jazz fest, What this man did to the song 'What you won't do for love' was incredible! he put a whole new twist on it -took it to another level, sort of the way he did it on the Timeline album. I cannot stop playing the Perfect Island nights CD. I mean he just puts you in that "I need to be sitting on a tropical island" mood. The CD will take you to another place. If that's what he was setting out to do, mission accomplished! If this is any help to you, Tracks 1, 3, 5...hell, just play the entire CD...TRUST me you will luuuuuuv it.
If you love Salsa like me or any type of sexy-move your hips type music, The song Donna (Track 3 is Muy Caliente -VERY HOT!)
Bobby has done it again!!!
Bobby C. If you ever stumble across this review...
THANK YOU. YOU ARE THE MAN!

OK, I have a confession--I am a huge Bobby Caldwell fan, so I am not impartial with this review. I will also admit that once someone has recorded the iconic "What You Won't Do for Love" which has been covered and been a hit with both "Go West" and Peabo Bryson", I'm not sure there is much you can do for a follow up, so almost every CD has made since then has, to a degree, been a disappointment.

Don't take this as a criticism, but an observation of having your 1st CD be a smash hit. Its a hard act to follow.

I'd give this CD a solid 3 stars, and I am a tough grader. I mean just because I worship the guy doesn't mean he gets a 5 star pass. Here's the deal:

"In the Afterlife" is a Bobby Caldwell "do it all" track with BC playing just about everything. 4 Stars

"Crazy for You" is not Patsy Cline's hit, but lovers plea with very good vocal arrangement. I thought the track was boring. 3 Stars.

"Donna" is not Richy Valens hit, but instead is a samba sway with maraccas which seems to typlify this CD. It is an excellent track. 4 Stars.

"Where is the Love" is a cover of Roberta Flack's classic hit, but with Bobby and Denice "Neicy" Williams. These types of incredible hits should not be covered in my opinion--they are just too good. But putting that aside, the vocals are great and the arrangement is tasteful. 4 Stars.


"Perfect Island Nights" is the title track, with a haunting accoustic guitar and a swaying samba beat and tastefull string accompanyment. I love this song. 4 Stars.

"Our Day Will Come" is, of course a cover of Ruby and the Romantic's 50's doo wop smash hit, redid by by the 4 Seasons in the late 60's. Bobby's interpretation of the song is good, but I would expect more than this. The song is a classic and I just don't think the song can be improved by anyone, even Bobby Caldwell. 2 Stars.

"I Need Your Love" is a pleasant vocal but a tad one dimensional. 2 Stars.

"Can't Get Over You" is a slow ballad of a lost love. Bobby's vocals shine through here. But boring. 2 Stars.

"Call Me Up" begins with a stupid message machine recording and then takes off with a driving beat. I've never understood why sound effects are added to vocal tracks. 2 Stars.

"Extra Mile" is a sweet balad that harkens back to Bobby's earliest records. 3 Stars.

"Rain" is a smooth psuedo steel drum samba groove. 4 Stars

"Sukiyaki" is cover of a 50's smash hit, covered again by the Disco group, "Taste of Honey" in the 70's. This is a beautiful song, and I would bet the Beasty Boys could even make this song sound good. Bobby's interpretation is spot on, although the lyrics are not an accurate translation, and are innane. 4 Stars

"Rain