Customer Reviews

Sentimental (Chi)

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

 

 

Good things come to those who wait. For fans of Tanita Tikaram's incomparably smooth, dark voice and lyrical songs, it has been a long wait indeed (some seven years have gone by since the 'Cappuccino Songs'), and what has now come to us is commensurably good. In fact, I think it's perfect.

'Sentimental' is a very immediate listening experience. The songs were all recorded in an ensemble fashion, i.e. the way you hear them on the CD is the way they were performed in the studio, with all musicians playing as a band. This alone lends a distinct warmth to the recordings, almost a small club live sound. The arrangements are sparse and simple, and beautifully executed; I don't think Tanita's voice has ever been this lovingly underscored by the instrumentation on any of her previous releases. Nick Lowe's backup vocals and the duet he sings with Tanita in 'Every Day is New' are an additional treat--his mild tones complement her voice perfectly. A wonderful choice.

The songs themselves are deep and, indeed, sentimental (although not altogether melancholic), and show now trace of being written and produced with an eye on sales, hits, or any commercial concerns whatsoever. I'd say these are Tanita Tikaram songs the way Tanita Tikaram wanted them to sound, and many listeners will undoubtedly find that this is exactly the way they have always been wanting to hear them. The nicest thing about this album is that while some tracks instantly stand out, (say, 'Don't Let The Cold' and 'Don't Shake Me Up'), it's impossible to pick favorites after listening to 'Sentimental' a few times: there isn't a single song here that I feel like skipping, something that was not always true for Tanita's past releases.

As far as TT's longtime devotees are concerned, I'm of course preaching to the converted here, as most of them probably ordered 'Sentimental' from Amazon France months ago. But what about the occasional listener who's still checking back to see if a successor to 'Twist In My Sobriety' has finally come along? Well, it hasn't, and I don't think it will, or even should. That was a great song, of course. But so is each and every track on 'Sentimental.' Start listening.

This album is a wonderful return to the more intimate style of her earlier work and updates her sound with jazz influences. I've been listening to this album almost everyday for weeks and, so far, I like all of the tracks.

I first discovered Tanita Tikaram in 1989 through the video for "Twist In My Sobriety" on VH1 (yes, back when they played videos). I bought her debut cd "Ancient Heart" which I think she has yet to surpass. I've been a fan ever since. "Sentimental" is Tikaram's first release in seven years since her last effort "Capuccino Songs". "Sentimental" marks her seventh studio album, and I would not call it a comeback. Tikaram was never truly mainstream to begin with. I'd rather compare it to her previous work, which has been sketchy at times.

"Sentimental" is a mellow, almost Norah Jones-like, 10 song cycle. It's not as creative as her earlier work, nor is it as modern as "Capuccino Songs". I found it to be closest to her 1991 effort "Everybody's Angel". There are some standout tracks, particularly "Everyday Is New" in which Tanita trades vocals with Robert Trehern to make an affecting duet and probably the best song on the cd. He shows up again on "Forever" which is also good. Nick Lowe adds his vocals to "Don't Let The Cold" making an interesting development to the arrangement that also stands out. The other two tracks that are fairly decent are "Play Me Again" and "Don't Shake Me Up". The lyrics on this album did not seem particularly gripping as with Tikaram's previous work.

Overall, as a fan, I would recommend this cd. It's good, and something nice to listen to at night or when you are unwinding. I found it less exciting to listen to in my car going to and from work. Let's just hope she doesn't take another seven years to make an album!

Following the release ofAncient Heart, and just prior to the release ofThe Sweet Keeper, I remarked to friends that I thought singer/songwriter Tanita Tikaram was the new voice of wisdom in popular music. Hers have always been the thoughtful, introspective songs that can touch a listener on many different levels. Never one to follow standard conventions, Tikaram has always been an artist who has followed her own inner muse. This has been true of her past releases, and it is certainly true of her last release, "Sentimental." The songs on this cd are finely crafted compositions that are without a doubt a cut above so much of the mainstream music we hear these days. My favorites are the opening cut, the richly cathartic "Something New," as well as the offbeat duet with Nick Lowe, "Don't Let the Cold." All the songs on "Sentimental" find Tikaram seeking her own inner wisdom in a fashion that is uniquely her own. The tunes are still thoughtfully introspective, though in manner even more laid back than she has been in the past. She has matured just a bit since we all began to listen to her twenty years ago, growing ever more wise and reflective. This is certainly to the benefit of those of us who have followed her music for more than two decades now. While I, like many, wish she would release her work with greater frequency ("Sentimental" is only her second cd since 1997,) we can still take heart in the knowledge that Tanita Tikaram will always follow her own inspirations, creating music that is, once again, contemplative,meditative and blissfully wise.

Tanita comes out again with a good album,bit mellow & jazzy though.Production has the core of her usual musicians.The CD complements well the 1998 release,"The Cappuccino Songs"(TCS).My favourite song ,"If I Ever" on TCS is replaced by the wonderful,"Forever" in Sentimental.Other favourites here are "Something New","Don't Shake Me Up","Everyday Is New" and "Love is Just a Word",She could have added a few more songs than her usual ten songs compilation.

Tanita Takiram has a breathy perfect diction. Her voice is comforting as a mother's whisper. She invades your mind, body and soul with welcomed healing like a topical pain reliever. She is revolutionary and reactive but as cool as the girl next door. She fights the good fight without argument or yelling. She maintains a strict level of uniformed voice.

Never a screech but she screams from her soul ever so softly.
She sings of pain.
She sings of loss.
She sings of strength.
She sings of renewed joy.
She sings of reasons to rejoice.
She sings to shuffle dance.
She sings to sit and reflect;
sit and contemplate;
sit and ponder and wonder
about her own existence.
You find you wonder about yours.
Her voice is an instrument and her best feature.
She even admits this in her 2nd song "Play Me Again"
from this highly anticipated and hugely successful CD "Sentimental."

Tanita is not only a vocalist but a intelligent writer who writes most of the songs she sings. She is also an artist as you can tell by the art on her liner notes. Her website is fantastic with an abundance of her own artwork and she promotes artists she favors.
www.TanitaTikaram.com

This CD is perfect for parties, for your I-pod, your home, your backyard I-pod docking station, your car and if independent your workspace. I recommend this CD without reservation.

I have to say a huge smile appeared on my face when I found out Tanita had a new release. This CD is perfect. The arrangements are lovely, consistent, interesting, and stark. The production is about the compositions, subtle, yet, emotional. Tanita's voice is completely authentic, sentimental without affectation. And as usual her lyrics are incredibly delivered. Tikaram is one of those rare artists who truly has her own signature writing style. She has a uncanny talent for words. In a brief simple line she can convey complicated emotion. Tikaram's previous albums have often contained gorgeous gems, but this CD is probably the most consistent. From beginning to end, it just emotes. Other great albums to check out are "Eleven Kinds of Loneliness" and "Lovers in the City," which demonstrate
Tikaram's amazing versatility. With so many artists that sound just like other performers you've heard, here is a woman who always sounds like herself. She is a talent to be included with Laura Nyro, Leonard Cohen, Annie Lennox, and Cassandra Wilson.

After an eight years hiatus, Tanita Tikaram comes back with an ordinarily new good album. The mood of the album is rather mellow and jazzy. It however complements well the 1998 release,"The Cappuccino Songs"(TCS). My favourite song in TCS is track 8, "If I Ever" is replaced by the beautiful melodic favourite "Forever" in Sentimental which is also track 8. Other favourite songs include, "Something New", "Don't Shake Me Up", "Everyday Is New" and "Love Is Just A Word". She could have added four more songs than her usual ten songs compilation to strengthen the album. She is a very talented artist & could certainly offer much more than what she delivers here.

I to discovered her through Twist in My Sobriety. Loved that. Love her voice but to me everything since Ancient Heart has been a bit of a disappointment. A few tracks on each CD that I liked. Well I downloaded this from Amazon yesterday and just gave it a full listen. This is a great CD. Loved it from the start which usually isn't the norm for me. I usually have to let something grow on me but this was a hit from the start.
Very fine CD would have given it six stars if I could have.

Now at her late thirty's and still as goergeous as ever , Tanita Tikaram intents a comeback with " Sentimental " , seven years after 1998's " The Cappuccino Songs " . There were moments on that album , where she boldly embraced erotic drama and delivered some of the best songs in her career ( " Amore Si " , " Stop Listening " ) . One might have thought she would try something even more emotionally charged this time but instead she choses the opposite direction , focusing on a more calm , hushed approached of what female songwritting means .

The result is another honest effort by Tikaram . There are songs here where she truly shines like the Kenny Roger collaborations , especially the tender " Everyday is New " while on " Love Is Just A Word " she beautifully displays her love for jazz - much more better than on past recordings ( " I Like This " , " Deliver Me " ) . Still , many of the tracks especially before the halfway mark pass with a sympathetic indifference . Generally how you perceive " Sentimental " depends heavily on what you expected from it .

" The return of a grand voice " says the sticker on the cover and indeed , Tikaram's voice always stands out for being as original and distinctive as it is . Seventeen years ago she was one of the most promising teenagers ever to appear in the pop music scene and with songs like " I Love You " and " Twist In My Sobriety " she had captured everyone's attention . She was really meant to be big . Uneven offerings followed - the music press and fans didn't know what to make of it .

What " Sentimental " shows on final analysis is an artist who doesn't care about six-figure sales , covers on flashy magazines and all that and is more interested in expressing herself through music . Yes , Tikaram deserves credit for that and this is a welcome return but , with so many driven and full of personallity records recently released by female artists ( Suzanne Vega's " Songs In Red And Grey " , Rachael Yamagata's " Happenstance " or Tanya Donelly's " Beauttysleep " to name a few ) it's hard to say if this is really essential .