Customer Reviews

Pride

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

 

 

Julian Marsh does what he does best on this disc. It's happy, it's vocal, it's NRG, it's trance. And there are plenty of cover versions. The opening track is a take on "Fly Robin Fly" with a melody sung over the bassline. there's a corny cover of the Thompson Twins' "Hold Me Now." Erasure makes an appearance with their own song, and then have A Little Respect covered by someone else. There's a femal vocal NRG version of Unchained Melody, A pretty, trancey, commercial cover of the Styx track "Come Sail Away," and for me, an unnecessary cover of Billie Ray Martin's "Your Loving Arms." Overall, this is quite a pride party. Track times:

1. dance to dance (5:14)
2. summer gonna come again (4:48)
3. believe in you (3:27)
4. riding on the wings (7:06)
5. evergreen (5:56)
6. what if (6:03)
7. hold me now (5:33)
8. come sail away (7:06)
9. moon & the sky (6:16)
10. unchained melody (5:48)
11. a little respect (6:25)
12. your loving arms (6:16)
13. this is your life (6:40)

Julian Marsh does what he does best on this disc. It's happy, it's vocal, it's NRG, it's trance. And there are plenty of cover versions. The opening track is a take on "Fly Robin Fly" with a melody sung over the bassline. there's a corny cover of the Thompson Twins' "Hold Me Now." Erasure makes an appearance with their own song, and then have A Little Respect covered by someone else. There's a femal vocal NRG version of Unchained Melody, A pretty, trancey, commercial cover of the Styx track "Come Sail Away," and for me, an unnecessary cover of Billie Ray Martin's "Your Loving Arms." Overall, this is quite a pride party. Track times:

1. dance to dance (5:14)
2. summer gonna come again (4:48)
3. believe in you (3:27)
4. riding on the wings (7:06)
5. evergreen (5:56)
6. what if (6:03)
7. hold me now (5:33)
8. come sail away (7:06)
9. moon & the sky (6:16)
10. unchained melody (5:48)
11. a little respect (6:25)
12. your loving arms (6:16)
13. this is your life (6:40)

the feeling you get when you listen to this CD. The songs are so upbeat and uplifting. This is one of the best CD's I've ever purchased, well worth whatever the cost. If you like "anthem" style dance music, you'll love this CD. It is one of the few CD's that embodies the way one feels when they overcome the struggles of being different, learning to be proud of who they are. Everytime I listen to it, I'm taken back to the warm summer nights of dancing, feeling the energy of a crowd living for the music and the moment.

Julian Marsh is da man! Currently Pride 2002 is my favorite Julian CD. Excellent music to get you pumped up before hitting the clubs. Driving=happiness! :-p

I am looking forward to getting more of his cds.

The notion of "pride," from the Old Norse "prythe" for "bravery, gallantry, or ornamentation," has recently been stretched a bit by activists who use it to signal their anger, agression, and anguish at being excluded from the heterosexist masses. In fact, the notion of "gay pride" which sprang up in the 1970s has more to do with insisting on and celebrating our differences, and facing life with courage in spite of all the surrounding adversity. It is perhaps appropriate, then, that this celebratory collection begins with the Silver Convention-styled strings of "Dance to Dance," by The Sound of Happiness. The first verse, "Tonight, I wanna dance into happy," sets the tone for the rest of this jubilant, upbeat CD. The perspective of the CD isn't that of hedonistic, empty-headed, drugged-out bliss, but of enjoining a community in dance, as has been our history. It's no wonder that Julian Marsh flashes a warm, beautiful smile on the inner cover--this is music which makes the listener happy. The second track, "Summer Gonna Come Again" by Supersister, uses overlapping electronic layers and soaring harmonies to add to the excitement of the soundscape. Next is the anthemic "Believe in Love" by Da Buzz, perfect for a community of friends and lovers, as well as those momentarily lost in the joy of dance. The fourth track is "Riding on the Wings" by Motiv8 and Jocelyn Brown. Motiv8 have previously worked with many dance-pop acts, including Gina G, and here they perfectly frame Ms. Brown's proud-as-a-diva vocal. The fifth track is the stunning "Evergreen," by Belle Lawrence. Julian Marsh writes that the song was originally performed by openly gay Will Young, which might seem a more appropriate inclusion on the CD, but Belle Lawrence makes you fall in love with her more up-tempo version. The song is about falling in love on one magical night and remembering the moment for the rest of your life. It is easily the most beautiful track on the collection. Next is "What if," by Angelica, originally performed as a ballad by Kate Winslet. The song opens with a sentiment familiar to most young gay people: "Here I stand alone with this weight upon my heart, / And it will not go away." The message of the song is carried on a delirious disco beat. Next up are a couple of covers: Happy Charles' version of The Thompson Twins' hit "Hold me Now," and Electro Blue's reworking of the Styx song "Come Sail Away." As a guy who came of age when these songs were popular, I appreciate the nod to my past. The more important message is that, although these aren't "gay" songs per se, many of us who loved these songs already knew who we were "back then," so these songs are part of our shared history. The ninth track is Erasure's "Moon & the Sky," the most disappointing song on the collection, since Andy Bell's lovely voice is drowned in this sterile, overdone, melodyless production. The inclusion of Almighty Allstars' cover of "A Little Respect" makes the disappointment all the more acute, since it reminds us of Erasure's previous musical triumphs. The tenth track is Natalie Powers' gorgeous, wistful version of "Unchained Melody." You can't help but sing along to this one. Track twelve, "Your Loving Arms" by Michal Nicolas, is another irresistible song about finding strength in love, community in shared joy, and love on the dancefloor. Incorporating an emotional vocal and keyboards evocative of Real McCoy's "Just Another Night," this song is just made for filling the dancefloor. The CD concludes with "This is Your Life" by Mount Rushmore and Emma Holland: "This day is for living your own way." We are more than just dancing fools, but we should also be proud of the fact that can enjoy our loves and celebrate our lives. Thank you, Julian Marsh, save me a dance.