Customer Reviews

Radical Light

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Originally released in 1991, this solid release gets a second chance thanks to Vonda's newfound fame on TV's "Ally McBeal." Though not her best set, "Radical Light" boasts some fine compositions, such as "100 Tears Away," "Clean Rain," and "Good to Yourself." It's also interesting to witness the apparent tug-of-war going on between Vonda and label heads, as her first CD was far more pop-flavored and "Radical Light" contains more commercial material (such as the slick, polished "Dreamin") as well as acoustic, Joni Mitchell-esque material that Vonda settled on for her third and finest album, "It's Good, Eve." And while the mix is sometimes a little jarring (from the hip-hop flavorings of "Dreamin" to the Bonnie Raitt-ish "Good to Yourself" to the dancey "Love Will Come and Go") the overall effect is pleasing enough. Her voice is in top form, and "Ally" fans can also hear the original version of "Searchin My Soul," the theme song for "Ally McBeal"...the version on the soundtrack was sped up and re-recorded; here you can hear it slowed down a little, still gorgeously sung, and wonder why it wasn't a hit sooner. In fact, you may well find yourself wondering that about most of Vonda's material.

I bought this cd after buying songs from ally mcbeal. I wasn't overly keen on it, but it kind of grows on you until you love it. I'll definately be getting her other two cds. My favourites are "good to yourself" and "100 tears away", and i can't stand "dreamin" - much too 'pop' for me!

This is indeed a pleasingly different, rich sound. Despite the release date quoted here, I bought the tape in Turkey back in 1993 just because the cover looked interesting and I had a couple of extra notes to burn before coming home... What a stroke of luck! It took me another 5 years of searching to discover the 'It's Good Eve' CD which I think is even better and, thanks to Amazon, I have found out about the named CD which may well have been an earlier release even than 'Radical Light'. If so, I'm just totally amazed that it's taken this long for Vonda Shepard's voice to be recognised.

I had heard Vonda's work a few times on the radio and admired it, but that didn't prepare me for being blown away by The Radical Light. This collection may never be discovered by a broad audience, but it certainly deserves wide exposure. Soulful, polished, remarkably well-sung and even a little funky, this album is a powerhouse of quality pop music. Very highly recommended.

Maybe I just became a VONDA FAN from her piano-bar songs in the track behind "Ally McBeal Show," but I was in Orlando on Holiday recently. I got to see & meet her in a downtown coffee/Lounge Cafe` So I can honestly say she and her music comes from "my generation," so she AND her music are top shelf stuff!