Saga of a Married Man

Alexander O'Neal | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Eagle Records
• ASIN: B0000C3I5S
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,094 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Starting out as a member of Prince's back up band, The Time, Alexander O'Neal is one of the best known R&B singers of the 80's and 90's. After leaving the group in the early 80's, he teamed up with producing duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, to make his solo debut in 1985 with the single Saturday Love, which reached #6 on the UK charts. Saturday Love was his first of thirteen songs to reach the Top 40 Singles Charts throughout the 80's and 90's. O'Neal released a series of best selling albums, including the platinum selling Hearsay in 1987. O'Neal's other top 40 hits included, If You Were Here Tonight, Criticize and All True Men.

After a six year hiatus to focus on his family life, O'Neal makes a triumphant and powerful return to the music world with Saga of a Married Man. Now happily married to his third wife, O'Neal drew from his own personal experiences for this album, in order to capture the emotional highs and lows of a marriage. Produced by Bobby Z, Saga of a Married Man features O'Neal at the top of his form with songs such as You're Gonna Miss Me, It's OK, and I'm There.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Saga Continues for Alex, March 18, 2004

By 

V. Ryan (London Uk) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saga of a Married Man (Audio CD)

The latest offering from the big soul man. Saga Of A Married man is a story which takes us through the trials and tribulations that a married man goes through. Well, some go through!

O'Neal in my opinion has been very underrated in the last 10 years and has never found the success that he had with his first three albums.
He started in 1985 and this album was released in 2002. The question is - can he still deliver an album to compete with other soul acts today?
I strongly believe he can.

Although this album will never be promoted well enough for it to have any chart sucess, it still a very good effort which further more cements Alexander O'Neal in the top 10 sould artists of all time.

Track 1
He Said She Said
If you've heard other O'Neal albums the you will have a fair idea of his familar sound. But there is a change here. This opening track said to me the moment I heard it -"i'm back but lets change the style a little"
Which is needed in todays music climate.

Great track which really sets the mood.

Track 2
Your Gonna Miss Me
This was to my knowledge, the only single released from this album. This track has the most funk edge on the album, and Alex is following his same formular in telling a woman what he thinks.

Track 3
I'm There
Alex really gets that angry tone which he delivered in the top 4 hit "Criticize" back in the 80's. At the end of this song he actually slips in a lyric or two from some of his past hits. But you need to listen carefully.
Funked up soul from Mr O'Neal

Tracl 4
My Baby's Gone
Hmmm ok well we know Alex likes his heartful soul tracks, but this one is a little too corny for my liking! The Chorus of "My Baby's gone, she could stay faithful" just really doesn't do it for me! But his voice once again is immpecable.

Track 5
It Don't Matter
A bit of pop soul here with a catchy chorus mixed with the voice means a big thumbs up to this track

Track 6
Its Ok
Well acually I don't think it is ok! I believe this to be the weakest song on the album. One of those album fillers!

Track 7
What You See Is What you Get
This isn't a song, just a 10 second or so interlude with Alex arguing with a woman over the fact that shes giving him greif although she has been made aware that he is a Married man!

Track 8
Married Man
When listening to this song I think there is a real indication of how Alex has mmade changes to his style and belts out a song that if done by R Kelly, would be a smash hit.

Track 9
What Is A Man
My personal favourite from this album. When people say soul music has no message I disagree. And this song is an indication of that. A beautiful song which oozes soul and has a real personal edge from the big man.

Track 10
Last Night
Superb! I love it! Once again its true Alexander O'Neal style.
Soul music with a firey edge.
You've caught your woman with your best freind. So what is better than to sing a song which just vents your anger at them both. Excellent.

Track 11
Happy Home
A very touching song to end this album .
After all the things that Alex and his woman have been through in this album he wants his wife back. And says make me a happy home.
And they all live happily ever after!

Overall - A great album which is a tribute to real music from the Soul.
Its never going to be a good as his first self titled album or the follow up smash hit "Hearsay" because although this is a very good album they were great great albums.
If you have heard O'Neals othere material then I advise you to get this album. Its O'Neal at his best.
If your married - get this album. It may come in handy!

Alexander O'Neal - the underrated legend of Soul Music.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alexander O'Neal is BACK!, April 27, 2002

By 

Arnie B Eastlick II (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saga of a Married Man (Audio CD)

Alexander O'Neal's latest offering, "Diary of a Married Man" might have been better titled "O'Neal is BACK!" After a disappointing pair of previous albums, O'Neal returns with a sure-footed reminder of what made him great. The album's first selection, "He Said She Said" begins with lush strings and O'Neal's trademark thunderous vocals. Missing only the almost-obligitory duet with Cherrelle, this album easily compares with "Hearsay" and "All True Man." If you're a fan of Alexander O'Neal this album is worth the premium price of importing it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Saga Continues..., November 5, 2004

By 

J. Batchelor "mylovin2002" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saga of a Married Man (Audio CD)

What can I say about ol' Alex? Well, he's still one of my favorite singers, but this disc shows that his voice has lost some of it's luster, but not all of it!! He's sounds more gritty and growly these days, but somehow it works here. Although it's not filled with his usual smooth R&B grooves, there are moments (like on MY BABY'S GONE, MARRIED MAN and IT'S OKAY) that remind you of the O'Neal swagger and suaveness from years ago.

With the faster tracks (like HE SAID, SHE SAID, which sounds alot like an N'Sync cut) he seems to show that he can flow with the times, but still bring the soul and southern charm needed to make sense of it all. He's definitely done better albums in the past, but this one is very lsitenable with tracks like the aforementioned IT'S OKAY, MARRIED MAN, MY BABY'S GONE, and WHAT IS A MAN? to keep the CD in rotation in your player.