Customer Reviews

Ring The Living Bell: A Collection

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I haven't purchased a Melanie album for over 15 years. I think the last one was Phonogenic: Not Just Another Pretty Face. And I don't believe I have listened to Melanie for about the same amount of time. Not that I don't like her, but to me she was more a novelty of my single-digit years. My mom was a fan and I learned Brand New Key, Look What They Done To My Song, etc. but not much beyond that period. My coming across this CD was a random event and I purchased it for nostalgic reasons only. I couldn't be luckier. What a find. Not every track is great, but the vast majority are and they clearly are the work of a committed, sincere artist. So what if she's not recorded using state of the art technology. I'm glad that is not the case. So many tracks have an intimate feel that almost gives me the sense that Melanie is singing for me alone in my living room. Her thoughtful lyrics and renditions of others' songs are so reflective of the humanity in all of us. Music that touches and soothes the soul. I guess I am lucky not to be too familiar with her old hits, for Beautiful People is brand new to me and evokes such strong emotion that I fear might not be evoked with thirty years' familiarity. Buy this if you want music that will move you. So real, so genuine, so unlike anything you will hear on radio or coming out of a state-of-the-art studio.

Are you tired of all the dead CDS out there... and deadbeat singers. Does it seem that knowone sings anymore. THEN you need to get yourself a copy of MELANIE SAFKAS new RING THE LIVING BELL CD. SOME of her older classics have been revamped with new style and craftsmenship. Like a fine wine her voice has a flavor that speaks for itself. Some of her newer tracks like FREDOM KNOWS MY NAME, RACING HEART, BALLERINA, NATURAL MAN, LIVE COAL. AND YOU COULD HAVE HAD ME FOR A NICHOL...ALL show that this artist has a message to sayand she says it well. I will never understand why this artist does not recieve the aclaim that she so richly deserves...get this CD and see for yourself that someone can still make the music COME ALIVE...

I was never as big a Melanie fan as I was for some of her contemporaries: Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell and Carole King always appealed to me more. But as a teenager, I loved "Brand New Key", and when Rhino released THE BEST OF MELANIE in 1990, I bought the disc and came to appreciate more, if still not all, of her music. When I heard of this new disc, RING THE LIVING BELL: A COLLECTION, I decided to buy it to hear how Melanie and her artistry had matured over the years. I have to say, I like this 2-disc collection a lot. I can see where long time, die hard fans will be absolutely crazy about it. It's a very intimate recording, and the whole thing has a very live sound to it. Melanie herself is in great voice, and is backed by some terrific musicians and singers. They've recorded some Melanie classics to great effect, and in many cases, they're much better then the originals. The new songs are even better, especially "Racing Heart", which sounds like a Stevie Nicks hit, and great covers of "Long, Long Time" and "Long Train Running". Highly recommended for Melanie fans, and worthwhile for fans of acoustic singer/song writers. ONE MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT: The rehersal session of "Ring the Living Bell" is great, but there's no finished version of the song. BIG mistake to not include it, as it's one of Melanie's best songs.

This collection of songs is sure to please anyone who ever enjoyed this unique singer/songwriter. How refreshing to hear such a striking change in an old friend! While most of the music on this CD has been previously released - mainly in Europe - this is the first time it is readily available in one package - with digital re-recorded quality much improved over earlier releases. Melanie has never sounded better and brings a new level of maturity and confidence to her sincere singing. The songs seem to have taken on a new life. The acoustic updates of some wonderful classics are stunning - especially "Close To It All", "Peace Will Come", "Ring Around The Moon", "Sun And Moon", "Perceive It" and of course, "Candles In The Rain". However. a few of the songs are out of place, "Long Train Running", "Any Time At All", and "Feedom Knows My Name" are each over produced and are better left unheard. They should have been replaced with "Rainbow Race", "Bobo's Party" and "If I Needed You". Don't let the cover photo fool you - it's not a flattering update to Melanie as the music is. One can only hope Melanie will release some new material and stay true to her acoustic roots and not go for the "wall of sound" which does not compliment her style. Until then, this CD is a must, not just for the "old fans". Someone unfamiliar with Melanie who enjoys the "Lilith Fair" genre is certain to appreciate this CD. Melanie has never really received the recognition she deserves and for the price you receive two CDs that will give you years of listening pleasure.

Again a collection of hits and more, I thought. But when I heard these version, some very different, I have to say: this is Melanie "pur sang". One song still more beautiful than the other. Everyone who has something with Melanie should buy this CD. If you were one of the fans in the early 70's: don't buy the compilation CD's which you can buy at every corner of the street: buy this emitional CD!!!!

If you are a fan for over the years: I don't have to tell you anything. FEEL IT!

Back in '70 I never thought Melanie would someday re-record her own Golden Oldies but it appears she has done just that for the fourth (?) time - "Ballroom Streets" was the first. Something usually goes wrong on these projects - check out many recuts by '50s stars like Little Richard and Chuck Berry. You just can't re-create a "feel" or that magical atmoshpere which yielded immortal sounds.
Anyway, although Melanie has not added nuance to the old ones but she has not hurt 'em a bit, thanks to strong production values: they kept it simple, folks, with mostly voice, guitar, and distant vocal backup. Very refreshing in this era of synthesized overproduction. "Close To It All" and "What Have They Done To My Song, Ma" are as good as the originals. ("Brand New Key" is not as good - it was such an amazing record I wish she'd leave it alone at this point, or try to do it like the hit single. There's nothing to be embarrassed about - it was 1930's blues in a 1972 setting and it worked!).
The title song for this collection, "Ring The Living Bell" would have been *almost* as good if they didn't offer interminable useless outtakes - this idea is even more objectionable for a title song! Outtakes, alternates, etc., (for me) only have entertainment value if something new or unexpected emerges, something to which you say "Hey, that phrase/riff/line would *also* have worked". They shouldn't have messed around with a stunning folk incantation that left us breathless back in '75 at the Wolman Skating Rink in Central Park.
The "contemporary" Sting/Doobie Brothers, etc. tracks are nice but don't amount to much.
The real beauty in this entry is the haunting folk ballad "Arrow" - it's pure Melanie.
A bonus cut by her daughters - Safka - called "One Mistake" is the next best cut!
It may sound cliche by now, but "The Spirit Of Woodstock" continues to live in the voices and productions of people like Melanie - and if she's not not seen or heard too often these days, then (in my humble opinion) her sound can be found in the voices of people like Stevie Nicks, Kim Carnes, Cyndi Lauper...you name a few more.

Melanie has not recieved the credit due to her. This is a truly great album that shows what a diverse artist she is.It is a combination of old and new songs. It will appeal to both older and younger listeners. No one has a voice like hers: she is a unique artist whose voice can rock with the best of them and also can convey tender songs.I recommend this album which will reach out to you.If you have not heard this gifted singer songwriter, this album will win you over. She is awesome. Five stars for Melanie's "Ring the Living Bell." Two CDs at such a low price. You can't go wrong with this one. Her finest in a long time!

I started listening to Melanie when she was Melanie Safka, I mean, a long time ago. Its beatiful how she has matured and grown as an artist and still managed to keep here ageless charm and childish wonder.

This collection of Melanie songs is a great tribute to a living artist who still has the opportunity and the talent to produce much more material.

Simply stated, I love Melanie, here songs are sometimes ironic, sometime sad but always beautifully loving, like as if she'd taken the advice of St. Augustine on as something quite natural - something along the lines of "love all and nothing else matters".

Next check out other matertial such as the song that includes the words "glory, glory, psychotherapy" and "picked up a pebble on the sand it new my name".

There should be a advice sign on this CD set, WARNING - GENIUS AT WORK! This product may be harmful to your self-centered egoism and s(he) person image!

regards,

martyn_jones@iniciativas.com

I've owned EVERY Melanie album (yes, I said ALBUM) that was ever released for many, many years. Most of which are still in mint condition. Having seen her perform "live" numerous times (including last Saturday, 7/24/99), this young lady is still as alive and vibrant as she was back in the 70's. This two-disc compilation is truly a great retrospective of her musical career, although the studio set on RING THE LIVING BELL should have led into the complete song. It doesn't matter if the songs are new, or old, they're all uniquely MELANIE, a legend whose message inspired me years ago during the old Woodstock days and who, thanks to her concert at Borders last Saturday, moved our daughter to tears of laughter (the "Florida Song") and tears of joy and love ("Candles in the Rain" and "Beautiful People"). This CD is a MUST!!! Also check out her new BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE-THE GREATEST HITS OF MELANIE cd. Can't wait for her upcoming new CD due out in December. "Thank You" Melanie for allowing so, so many of us into your world. You truly are a BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!!! (your family of backup musicians are great too).

OK, I jumped the gun on this one. Pardon and disregard my negative review below (Melanie: A Redundancy), as I saw the track listings and ASSUMED that this collection was just another one of many collections with nothing new on it. QUITE THE CONTRARY!! This CD is EXCELLENT for Melanie fans as well as people who do not know her music very well. SO many reasons to buy this CD, some of which are the following:

1) Melanie's excellent, passionate singing 2) Many incredible photos, past & present 3) A wonderful, current interview 4) Tracks are acoustic AND studio cuts 5) Revealing rehearsal periods on two tracks

Just wait until you hear her rehearsal periods on "Long, Long Time," and "Ring the Living Bell." Incredible. Also, her cover of "How Can I Help You to Say Good-bye," will make your heart break. This is not to mention her acoustic versions of her own classics, "Cyclone," "Friends & Company," and a live, raucous version of "The Nickel Song." An additional wonderful surprise is her cover of "Long Train Runnin'," which showcases a very funky Melanie having a great time. MORE, MORE!!!!! BRAVA!!!!!