Customer Reviews

Rise

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just to clarify, the eyepatch of 1993-1994 was not a gimmick - she had a weak eye which has been rectified with surgery...

ANYWAY... containing 4 top 15 smash hits including 1 No.1 single, 'Rise' has been the most successful of Gabrielle's three UK albums. It is the second biggest selling album of 2000 in the UK by a solo female artist (after Whitney's 'Greatest Hits') and it is worthy of every sale.

Starting with the gorgeously uplifting song 'Sunshine' written for Gabrielle's 5 year old son, Jordan, the album keeps steadily strong from beginning to end. We then enter the dark world of Gabrielle's second single from the album, 'Rise'. It was written following the conviction of her ex-fiancee Tony of first-degree murder. Gabrielle overcame the devastation of that event and wrote 'Rise', as uplifting as 'Sunshine', haunting and using the familiar sample from Bob Dylan's 'Knocking On Heaven's Door.

We then move onto the uptempo Supremes-style, 'When A Woman'. Optimism and happiness evoked wonderfully.

'Tell Me What You Dream' is a lovely storytelling simple song - followed by the neat groove of 'Fivwe O'Clock'.

But the best is yet to come. 'Should I Stay' is a stunner. Haunting, melodic, deep, pained it centralises the album and creates a stunning middle section of the LP.

This is a description of just the first 6 tracks - but it continues in a similar vein.

Gabrielle has a brilliant voice, edgy, different... Great songwriting talents... lush production... what else could you want?

Even though this British pop/soul singer has sold millions and millions of albums worldwide, she remains a relatively unknown artist in the U.S. Hopefully with her third album "Rise", all of that will change!

It will be tough, though, for Gabrielle to break ground in the trendy U.S., where popularity is not always based on talent and good songs. Also, the diversity of Gabrielle's songs makes it difficult for her to be categorized, which makes it more difficult to market her in the U.S.

If you give this album a chance, you will find catchy song after song that ranges from pop to r&b to country to new age. There is definitely something for everyone here. The best thing about Gabrielle is her ability to hypnotize you with her raspy, breathy voice. Her voice is not as rough as Macy Gray's, but it has that same kind of edge, which makes it more interesting at times than other female voices on the scene.

"Sunshine" and "Rise" are definitely contenders for hits, if given the chance. If you remember Gabrielle's early 90s hit "Dreams", these two songs could have the same level of success. They already did in Europe,where this album has been at the top of the charts for 6 months!

Also check out "When A Woman" and "Falling" which sound like the old Motown sound of the Supremes, and "5 o'Clock" which almost has a hiphop feel to it. A great well-rounded album that no one should pass up!!

This is Gabrielle's best album. I've heard all her albums and this is the best one yet. My only complaint is THE SONGS ARE TOO SHORT AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TRACKS! I wish the songs could have been longer! Because just when I'm getting into the song, IT COMES TO AN END! Best songs found on here are "Sunshine," "Rise Again," "If You Love Me," "When A Woman" and "Fallin' (Can't Stop)." "If You Love Me" is probably one of the saddest songs on this album. "Fallin' (Can't Stop)" is probably the most happiest songs on here along with "When A Woman." Every track is a winner on here! I like that she includes the lyrics to her songs which are interesting to read. Her songs actually have real meaning. She isn't singing silly-nonsense stuff, she's singing about REAL THINGS that happen in REAL EVERYDAY LIFE! This is a great CD and would make a great addition to anyone's music/CD collection!

I am a Brit living in Australia and also get to see the criminal way in which this wonderful singer/songwriter remains unrecognised!

Rise is a coherent and satisfying album from start to end.
From the upbeat "Sunshine", the self-affirming "Rise", gloriously summery "When A Woman" and fragile "Over You" to the soulful "If You Love Me" and inspiring "Independence Day".
There is not a weak link in this musical chain.

Gabrielle's strengths are a distinctive voice and dedication to writing SONGS. Yes, that's right, songs. A melody, lyrics that make sense and an emotional centre.
Take a good look at today's R&B "stars" and ask yourself if the same can be said of them! I doubt it :-)

FYI If you like this album, you should check out "Out Of Reach" her song for the Bridget Jones Soundtrack and her new single in the UK "Don't Need The Sun To Shine". These new gems give you Rise's quality and MORE!

Any R&B fan who doesn't give this artist a fair listen doesn't know the meaning of the word "soul".

Gabrielle has been around since 1993 with her huge UK hit "Dreams". She hit Top 40 here with "Dreams" and mild success with her following hit "I Wish". She released a second album that once again did well in Europe but not too much here. Her third album is a beauty. It's been released in Europe for about 6 months now and has huge success with her first three singles. "Rise" was a huge springtime hit in Europe. The catchy "Sunshine" will brighten your day. THis is definitely a keeper for any person for the blue-eyed soul. Enjoy!!!!!

Her voice is amazing! I first heard of Gabrielle while in the UK in '93 - when Dreams had first come out there - and HAD to have the CD. I brought it back to the US and convinced our local DJ's to play it. I saw Rise when I was back in London a few weeks ago and I'm NOT sorry I bought this CD. It's GREAT! I'm so glad to hear she's finally becoming popular in the states too. It's a definite must buy!

This is gabrielles 3rd album and its her best ever. Conataing 4 UK singles Sunshine, When A Woman, Should I Stay and the UK number one Rise, this is easily the best album of her career. The soulfull singer has progressed alot and hopefully she will be able to make the crossover into america and get the success that she deserves, (being the UK's number 1 female singer). lets hope she doesnt stay away for this long again.

I bought this CD while on vacation in London in 2000. It was being advertised on daytime television and the sound bites were very tempting. No regrets. This is one souvenir I'll always treasure.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT ALBUM THAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO OWN !
I love "SUNSHINE" ; "RISE" a posteriori relates me directly to 9/11 as "time is a healer...". The Phoenix : NYC's symbolic choice after this horrible tragedy, always rises from its ashes...
"TELL ME WHAT YOU DREAM" takes me back to the time of my adolescent years (Barry White's beat): each time I listen to the CD I play it over and over again : the violins are totally appropriate AND THIS SONG IS MY FAVOURITE !

GABRIELLE is quite simply talented : besides being a great singer she's also a good song writer. Moreover, she seems to have EASY NATURAL ACCESS to any type of music especially Soul, Pop or Rock. Her music is totally delightful anyway !
"RISE" is much more than just an invitation : it's a very rewarding discovery.
By the way, GABRIELLE got an American Music Award, 2 Brits and a MOBO. "RISE" reached the Top of UK charts at the time of its release, which is not surprising at all.

I discovered Gabrielle's music in a record store in Amsterdam and HAD TO HAVE THIS CD. She has a distinctive and lovely voice, and the songs are well written. Very well written, in fact. First class all the way! I know she is big in Europe, and had a hit "Dreams" years back. Still, she is a talent largely unkown in the USA. Check her out, this is a refreshing CD that is unlike popular music out there today!