Customer Reviews

Renaissance

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a long-time fan of Lionel Richie. I am an African-American female from Philadelphia and was there from the beginning when The Commodores appeared on "The Georgie Woods Show" and performed "Machine Gun"!. I was a teenager then and I am 43 years old now so, I've had plenty of time to watch Lionel grow and evolve as an artist. I also own everything "the man" has ever done. We all know that Lionel was on a winning streak that just wouldn't quite until the mid-80's when his personal life erupted into something very ugly as a result of a "triangular mess" involing him, his now ex-wife, and his then girlfriend/now wife (and I will say no more). When he returned to the studio after a long hiatus and finally released "Louder Than Words" in 1996, I was very glad to hear from him again. The CD received much publicity and as an added treat, he was the opening act on one of the award shows that year, which gave him the opportunity to perform the first single from the CD. I immediately went out and purchased that CD and was not disappointed. It was the same Lionel I had come to know and love. A short time later in 1998, he released "Time" and again, he hit a home run with me. Now its 2001, and we have heard from Lionel again via "Renaissance". Where I have remained a devoted fan of Lionel's throughout the years, I fear than many have abandoned and forgotten him. The radio stations seem to be confused as to what format "the man" would suit him these days. Because of this, most people were totally oblivious (or just plain didn't care anymore) when "Louder Than Words" and "Time" were released. I fear that the same will hold true for "Renaissance". In my opinion, this suituation has put Lionel in the position of "searching for an audience". As a result, this latest CD will appeal to anybody who is a fan of Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Emilio Iglesia, Jennifer Lopez, etc. Don't get me wrong, I have all of their CDs too because I am very open-minded when it comes to music. But in my opinion, this latest CD is not really Lionel. I see it as an attempt on his part to find a "new" fan base but, I do not blame him for his plight. He's just trying to make a living and do what he does best...sing! I hold the music industry and radio stations responsible for this tragedy. Lionel's personal problems may have lead to his star "flickering out" for a time but, he proved several years ago with the release of "Louder Than Words" that he was back and ready to shine again. The problem is, the fan base he once had (with the exception of me, of course) forgot about him and he was never really given the chance to shine again via radio, etc. because his "comback CDs" were being ignored. In conclusion, my comments about "Renaissance" are as follows: If you are a devoted Lionel Richie fan like me, buy it because there will always be something on his CDs that you will like; however, if you are looking for the old Lionel (but don't want to go back quite as far as the Commodores or his early solo efforts), I would recommend picking up "Louder Than Words" or "Time". In comparing those two CDs to "Renaissance", you will note the difference and my comments will make more sense to you. Personal Note to Lionel: Don't worry about gaining "newer", "younger" fans...just continue to be who you have always been and concentrate on those who have been with you from the beginning, like me. We'll still love you, no matter what you sing because we've got a a whole lot of time and memories invested in you. I will look forward to your next release sounding more like "you".

I have to disagree with the reviews thus far, especially the one from Philidelphia who gives it a poor review without even mentioning a single song. That was classic. Anyway, this is a solid collection. "Angel" is garnering a good amount of air-play in many formats. This song is a strong opener and is as soulful as a dance song can be nowadays. The production is very crisp on this cut especially. "Tender Heart" and "How Long" rank up there with such classic Richie ballads as "Hello" and "Stuck On You." "Dance The Night Away" is a melodic ballad/mid-tempo song with some nice latin undertones and a very catchy chorus. There are however, a few lack-luster tracks. The two tracks produced by Rodney and Fred Jerkins ("Tonight", "Wasted Time") are way out of place. These producers are huge in the industry, but the music is very hip-hop like, and is more suited for someone like Destiny's Child. Other than those two cuts, the album is quite good. Richie's voice is as good, if not better than it was 15 years ago. All in all, a very strong collection.

Sometimes, rather than losing it, a great singer gets even better as he ages. I always thought that the Frank Sinatra of the mid to late 1960s (remember "Stranger in the Night?") was better than the Sinatra of the 40s. So too, the great Lionel Richie is better than he's ever been. This cd is really well done, It's the same wonderful Lionel Richie style but it's much more than just rehashed stuff. There are tinges of hip hop and other innovations. However, these innovations are tastefully blended in and do not overshadow the tried and true Lionel Richie style. For example, the opening song, "Angel," has a hip hop beat superimposed over a chord progression played by the rhythm section that is straight out of the 1950s to early 60s. This progression is basically the "Duke of Earl" melody and was used in lterally hundreds of oldies 40 or so years ago. There are songs with an acoustic, almost folk like quality, such as "Piece of My Heart" (no. it's not even close to Janis Joplin's song of that title). There is a great mix of ballads and upbeat cuts. The songs are all good ... there are very few weaknesses to this cd. Lionel Richie has remained true to himself by incorporating a little bit of the contemporary while basically expanding on his style rather than trendishly trying to copy someone else's. I highly recommend this cd.

Like Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie has just released one of his better CD's. Richie in his heyday could do no wrong. However, the last several years have not been so kind. On Renaissance, Lionel gives us the CD, that we knew he was capable. This is classic Lionel, good songs, good production, and Lionel Richie's distinctive voice. If you were a Richie fan, then you will definitely want to pick up his latest.

This release after 8 years of sabbatical from his "Back To The Front" album marks a milestone in musical arrangements and moods. Though not as radical a change as Whitney's "HeartBreak Hotel" album, Lionel nevertheless lets his listener know that he's much more wiser and stronger in his breakup songs. Make it a point to listen to the words in songs like "Tender Heart", "How Long" and "Piece of My Heart", and you will realise that this guy understands how to move on. The musical arrangement of "Cinderalla" sounds alot like "La Isa Bonita-Madonna", and you can catch more latin influences if you like the trend on "Dance The Night Away";...it does appear these days that there's no escaping the latin groove in every artist's album. The Title track "Angel" is a celestial celebration of happy and sunny delight and the remix is truly a bonus (boogieman remix-extended) if you have the CD with this extra.

Overall, Lionel scores on this one and grab it when it comes out in your store if it ain't out already, and be a new fan all over again-he's hot!...Welcome Back Lionel and stay this time!

It's Grammy time! If it were in my power, I'd give the nominees from Lionel Richie's Renaissance the following awards:

BEST DANCE TUNE: Angel was the first hit, and it's no surprise that the producer from Cher's Believe gave it a similar sound but thankfully without the vocoder. (Those are used only for people who can't sing.) Here is My Heart is almost technopop, and the very disco-fied Don't Stop The Music will really have you reaching for the platform shoes (if you aren't already tall, like I am)! A couple of songs actually go beyond funk and "old school" and dive headlong into (gasp) Hip-hop! The beat-box influence is strong in Wasted Time and the sultry Don't You Ever Go Away. However, the award goes to Tonight, a good old-fashioned funk jam such as I used to hear when I was a teenager and used to hear Lionel's voice fronting the Commodores. (Showing my age as well as his!) It's VERY hard to sit still with this fun tune with its heavy bass and percussion.

BEST LATIN-INFLUENCED NUMBERS: Enrique or especially Marc Anthony should beg to record either Cinderella or Dance the Night Away! Of the two nominees, the award goes to Cinderella, which I feel should have been the first single.

BEST BALLAD: Tender Heart is a beautiful ballad I'm sure will enjoy a long life on someone else's album. The wistful Piece of My Heart and It May Be The Water both deserve honorable mention. But one ballad in particular, How Long, is not only the one song Lionel Richie wrote without collaboration, it's also the one definitive Lionel Richie song on the album. It not only gets Best Ballad, but Best Song.

BEST ALBUM PACKAGE: Sorry, no winners here! The photos on the booklet and cover of Renaissance look as though a Richard Avedon wannabe took over the design! They remind me of the strange poses on the first Johnny Mathis Broadway album from 1960.

In the category of MOST SHAMELESSLY NEGLECTED RECORDING FOR 2001, the winner is: Lionel Richie's Renaissance! Here is a recording by someone who can write great songs and who can actually sing without infusing every syllable with the electronic tricks and the vocal gymnastics that today's pop music artists seem hooked on. Lionel Richie has a voice that, unlike today's crop of boy/girl groups or any number of young female country singers, is instantly recognizable after the first two notes.

Obviously a student of classic true singers such as Johnny Mathis before him, and Nat Cole before that, as well as of the classic writers like Stevie Wonder and Barry Manilow, Richie has apparently learned that to master your craft, even at the risk of being unpopular, means your career will have staying power in the long run. For that, I bestow the final award of the evening, the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, to Lionel Richie.

Oh oh, there's still a couple minutes left, so I'd like to mention an award that was given before the broadcast:

For failing to recognize the genius in this album with even a single nomination, I award the Grammy nomination committee LIFETIME LOSER AWARD. These are repeat winners of this award, folks. To my mind, there is plenty of single material here for those who care about such things, dance tunes that should go over well in the clubs, and I'd really be surprised if one of these songs didn't find its way onto a movie soundtrack at some point. Lionel Richie has his market. The fact that NARAS can't find a category to put good music in is no fault of his. It's their loss.

These songs, while very contemporary, remind me of his music in his heyday. This is one of the best CD's I purchased in a long time. Not a track I don;t like.

I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with this come back CD. I have always liked Lionel Richie and I must say that I am really enjoying his latest work. My favorites so far are Cinderlla, Tonight and Watsted Time. I don't think it would be a waste of your time if you added this one to your collection.

I love this record! The song called Angel is a great upbeat, dance song and there are some incredible ballads too. I recommend it highly.

good comeback cd for mr. richie if you're feeling this you know what to do.