Customer Reviews

Proud

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every once in awhile there emerges an artist who conjours up the question, "Why aren't they international superstars? Why isn't the WORLD listening to this?" Heather Small is that and more. I have danced and laughed and enjoyed her work with M People for many years but there is something about this solo work that catapults her, her voice, her message to a much greater level. Maybe it was right time, right song but the title track just came across like a wrecking ball into my day to day existence and shouted, "What have you done today to make you feel proud?" It became an anthem that provoked personal action (yes, a song can do that) and for that I am deeply grateful. (Heather, if you sneak on here and read these - thanks!) The entire album is first rate with conscious-raising lyrics and sophisticated rhythms and melodies that deserve a tremendous audience. Maybe that is the paradox. If they (the artist) did have the world wide acclaim maybe it would water down or diminish the drive for excellence that is so apparent here. You must give yourself the luxury of this CD!

I've often thought what a shame it is that song lyrics get so easily stuck in your head, but so few song lyrics are the kind of thing you WANT stuck in your head.

The chorus to the title track says, "What have you done today to make you feel proud?" That is an excellent question to come to mind many times a day, which is what happens when you listen to the song. I'm the author of the book, Self-Help Stuff That Works, and I recommend Heather Small's album as helpful and effective for improving mood and increasing your motivation to take positive action.

Luckily, the music is also great and her voice is wonderful. We need more music like this in the world!

I first heard this song as the theme song to "The Biggest Loser" and I really liked it. I was really surprised when I found out that it was an actual song. I thought that it was just a theme song. The song always makes me feel a lot better when I listen to it.

I originally heard the title track on this album on the Showtime Queer as Folk during the first episode. Doing a little investigation, I found the song to belong to Healther Small from her new solo album Proud. I went to find the disc and was disappointed to learn it was not available in the US. Then, in swoops Amazon.com to save the day. I placed my order, recived the CD, and it has not left my player since the first strains of Proud lept from the speakers.

This is truly a magical CD. The songs are soulful and moving without being to preachy. The music makes you want to dance, sing, laugh, and sometimes cry. Every song on this album has elicited some type of emotional response from me - a situation I find very rare from full albums these days. I felt as though she were talking to me on the final track - "What would I have, if I don't have you."

Please, please do yourself a favor and buy this album. You will not be sorry.

I have been following her from the begining of her career...Get your hands on a group called M People.....She is the lead singer. They have many cds out and all are ear candy! ...She is my favorite vocalist....along with Josh Stone and Aretha and... Chakka. They have her uniqe range and soul moving u to the core range. She hails from the UK and has been around for many years in Europe. I am glad Oprah finally got word of her and the Olympic offical song in 02.... Proud. Try the song titled Someday by M people... if u can find the cd single its best...or on the album ...its just as wonderful as Proud ...with a wonderful message of hope peace and harmony!

This is an album and artist sure to be missed by the states which is sad. Heather Small is unique to her own and will hopefully become noticed like the true talents that are so easily overlooked. She has a voice of true emotion. This is going to be one of the best albums of the year.

This entire album is food for the soul. A timeless classic.

I have been a long-time fan of M People and, by luck or by fate, I managed to hear Heather's song "Proud" as a backing track on the U.S. version of "Queer as Folk." Needless to say, I quickly scrambled to learn and hear more from the remarkable Ms. Small.

"Proud" (the song and the CD) is, simply put, uniformly excellent. There is just the right mix of upbeat, quasi-dance tunes (although a little more downbeat than those of M People), anthematic show pieces, and compelling ballads. There isn't a song on the CD that disappoints, which is both a testament to Small's own musical writing ability and a stinging comment on the pitiful state (generally) of music today.

Like the other reviewers, I won't be surprised if the CD isn't marketed for the U.S. market. More's the pity, because both M People and Small as a solo artist deserve far greater recognition and a large fan base. I can only hope that other fans will spread the word about this CD.

Bravo, Heather. You've done yourself "Proud."

I first came across this song during a cool down routine in my weight-training Body Pump class. <Body Pump is an Australian-based, weight training class with great international music, and leaves me frequently wondering why I can't find a particular song in the US.> I just had to have more music from the woman behind the voice in the song "Proud". And thanks to Amazon, I was not disappointed. This CD is my all-time personal favorite. And I've bought several more as gifts to good friends to share the inspiration. Her voice is strong, her songs are powerful, and every song is uplifting and positive. "What have you done today to make you feel Proud? It's never too late to try..."

Love the CD swear it could be Cher in some of the songs, a great upbeat mix of songs.