Customer Reviews

Quiet Fire

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Quiet Fire", Roberta Flack's third solo album, has been unfairly overshadowed by the incandescent "First Take" and its masterful follow up, "Chapter Two". Unfairly because it is in every way an equal partner to its two luminous predecessors in constituting the third instalment of a triumvirate of great Roberta Flack albums. Significantly, even its immediate successor, the excellent "Killing Me Softly", doesn't quite measure up artistically with anything she did before that. Just as "Chapter Two" surprised with inspired covers of familiar standards, "Quiet Fire" serves up majestic versions of Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Goffin & King's "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and the Gibb brothers' "To Love Somebody" which Nina Simone had a huge UK hit with in 1969. Unlike Aretha Franklin whose penchant for turning melodies inside out is legendary, Roberta's approach with a song is more conservative. She may slow it down a tad but always tries to preserve the melody and the cadence of the song. What she does is use her peerless phrasing and majestic performance to transform a song into something precious and personal. Listening to Roberta's voice build and rise above the piano is akin to a religious experience and it can't get more seriously churchy than "Go Up Moses", the opening track, which has Roberta feverishly incanting over a racuous rhythmn. Continuing in the same vein is "Sunday and Sister Jones", featuring the album's most powerful moments and a tour de force performance from Roberta that has to be heard to be believed. Winding up are sensitive treatments of "Let Them Talk" and the Dinah Washington standard "Sweet Bitter Love" which are at least equal, in my opinion, to the best versions ever recorded, including Aretha's in the case of the latter song. "Quiet Fire" is indeed the middle name of Roberta Flack and the sound of velvet melting...

"Quiet Fire" is the best album that Roberta Flack has ever made and ever will make. Each song on the album is a work of genius. There is no way you can not become hooked on Roberta Flack after listening to her rendition of "Will You Still Love Me Tommorow?" Other great tracks include: "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "To Love Somebody" and "Let Them Talk." Although the album is rather slow at times, and similar to the type of music one might find in a desserted lounge, the songs in no way dissapoint. I must say that in order to truly appreciate the beauty of Flack's voice you must listen to the album with headphones. "Quiet Fire" sounds best when you listen to it with headphones. By using headphones it is as though Flack is singing right into your ears--you will not miss a whisper. Once you purchase this album and really listen to the whole thing all the way through you will find yourself in a better mood! ! . To tell you the truth you will find yourself. On this album Flack sounds her best, hitting every note and striking every emotion. This album is a necessity. When I bought the album, used, I figured it would just be yet another CD to gather dust in my already large collection. On the same day I bought it I listened to the albumn and found it boring. Two weeks later, and even still now, I was listening to at least one or two songs a day. This album grows on you, I assure you it does. "Quiet Fire" is the album you wish you had two copies of in case something happens to your primary copy.

Roberta Flack is as always incomparable but this one is just absolutely amazing. And I loved both of her earlier albums and thought that each of them was pretty close to perfect. But without question this album is the pinnacle of her talent and emotion.

Sweet Bitter Love is what I categorize as an A++ cut. Not just A+ but A double-plus. So much beauty, pain, and irony all in one cut. Just incredible! And personally I love Sunday and Sister Jones and To Love Somebody (A+) in and of themselves but some nights i'll play Sweet Bitter Love 3 or 4 times a night.

Cover to cover. High quality. Beauty and feeling. Depth and simplicity.

Just an out and out winner!

Roberta Flack is as good as music gets and any chance to hear her sing is worthwhile. This album is more than worthwhile. Listen to "Will You Still Love Me Tommorow" and see if you can think of anything more haunting or beautiful. All the music here is supurb but that one song should be enough to satisfy anyone. This is an album you'll be sorry if you miss.

This disc finds Roberta Flack at her peak -- flush with her initial success, and building on that with an album that combines soul and jazz feeling. It captures the times, employing themes of mass movement as well as individual passion. Highly recommended.

...this is a listening experience like no other, Roberta Flack's "Quiet Fire". If her "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and "Sweet Bitter Love" doesn't move you, then maybe your life is actually passing you by. Slow down and savor this one, it is truly a gift.

Reacquired this old, favorite "LP" on CD -- will really enjoy listening to my favorite Roberta Flack songs!

I have seen miss roberta flack in concert twice;and each time I have seen her it move my spirit. I just wish i could see her in concert again.