Sherie Rene... Men I've Had

Sherie Rene Scott, Sherie Rene | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ghostlight
• ASIN: B00004UGDG
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,063 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but inconsistent quality., March 11, 2001

By 

[e-mail] (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sherie Rene... Men I've Had (Audio CD)

Although she has appeared in Tommy, Grease, and Rent, like several of the other reviewers, my introduction to Sherie Rene Scott was when I saw her live on Broadway in AIDA. She has the combination beauty, talent and stage presence of a true star.

I eagerly bought her debut album. It is an interesting and entertaining album. Her voice is so enticing that she could probably sing the telephone book and make it entertaining. It's a remarkable debut album and somewhat daring in nature. In a playful and experimental way, she draws more than the typical selection of songs from the genre.

There is a slow, sultry, sexy, jazzy rendition of "Squeezebox" as well as similarly jazzy renditions of popular rock songs. I've read the other reviews and I know some people have loved these new interpretations of old songs. Although I am impressed by her creativity, I found album inconsistent. To my ear, the slow, jazzy delivery of "Squeezebox" is so incongruent with the words of the song as to be distracting. While I suppose this was intended to be playful, it comes across almost unintentionally comical in nature. Elton John's "Midnight Creeper" transforms well, but her slow, sultry belting out of "Get back, honky cat..." for Elton John's "Honky Cat" seems odd to my ear as well.

The album overall is quite good. Her version of Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is extraordinary and is followed by an equally strong version of Elton John's "Coming Down in Time." Randy Newman's "Real Emotional Girl" is also wonderfully performed and leads into a touching version of Jonathan Larson's "Love Heals."

I have grown to really like this unique album, but there are a couple of tracks that I prefer to skip over.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun, creative surprise, January 2, 2003

By 

Renee (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sherie Rene... Men I've Had (Audio CD)

As in the words she sings: "This Broadway girl has got a lot of tunes to sing." In creating the persona of "Sherie Rene," Sherie Rene Scott (talented star of Debbie Does Dallas, Aida, The Last 5 Years, and Rent) has embraced this caricature of herself, which somewhat mirrors her own personal journey to stardom. Sherie Rene Scott's sweet and equally sultry voice is reason enough to purchase this unique collection of songs, tribute to composers she has worked with (hence, Men She's Had...)

The album begins with the sexy, jazzed up version of Pete Townshend's "Squeezebox." "Bargain" is a particularly energetic piece, and a treat to listen to as Scott belt her heart out (which slightly echoes of Aida's "My Strongest Suit"). "Honky Cat" is a wonderful, playful turn at storytelling, and its worth is later fully realized when you get to track number 7, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters." This Elton John tune (one of the best on this album) is beautifully sung, and Adam Pascal (original Roger of Rent) lends his vocal talent to create perfect, simple harmony.

I particularly enjoy the next three tracks: "Come Down in Time," "This Life," and "Real Emotional Girl." They are softer to listen to, and Scott subtlely shifts her voice which artistically supports the fictional persona of Sherie Rene, while still conveying the emotional truth of Sherie Rene Scott.

"Love Heals" by the late Jonathan Larson is an incredible track, and a hint of the genius that tragically left us too soon. "He Gives Us All His Love" is an beautiful, appropriate, and spiritual way to conclude the album, in contrast to the more sexual beginning of "Squeezebox". In order to truly appreciate the album, one has to hear it in its entirety, and trace Sherie Rene's personal journey throughout the music (the liner notes are entertaining to read and truly support the music, too).

The more I listen to this album, the more I enjoy it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Buy for Jazz Lovers, May 18, 2006

By 

annie (Somewhere in the US of A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sherie Rene... Men I've Had (Audio CD)

Sherie Rene Scott was first introduced to me through musicals like "Aida" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", and I grew to love her voice, so I bought her solo album: "Men I've Had", and I'm not sorry I did.

1. Squeezebox- A good song that's a mix of jazz and soul, and a little bluesy too. It can get stuck in your head very easy, though, which can be good or bad, depending on the situation!

2. Let My Love Open The Door- I love this song. It mixes pop music with a little bit of soul. The bright, upbeat chords match perfectly with Sherie Rene's crooning vocals. A good song to lift your spirits.

3. Midnight Creeper- Classic Elton John. Sherie Rene does a good job of covering this song, but not making it completely different from the original. A very catchy tune.

4. Honky Cat- More Elton John, only this one Sherie Rene makes completely her own. It's been slowed down and jazzed up, but it still sounds okay. A little weird for fans of Elton John, but still okay.

5. I Think He's Hiding- A very very weird song. Enjoyable, but strange at the same time. All in all, has a pretty good rhythm to it, but you'll have to listen to it to see what I mean.

6. Bargain- I love this song, also. It is very upbeat and happy, reminding me a little like a mix of two songs: "My Strongest Suit" (another pop song Sherie Rene did for the musical "Aida"), and "Survivor" by Destiny's Child. This is also the one song on the CD where Sherie really gets to BELT!

7. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters- Easily my favorite song on the whole CD. It's so beautiful, and slow and sad but uplifting at the same time. Another Elton John classic. Sherie Rene also brings in another superstar, Adam Pascal (also from "Aida" and most famous for his role of Roger in "RENT"), and Sherie's soulful crooning and Adam's sweet rough rocker-ballad voices blend and mix beautifully. Also, wonderful saxophone solos dot this track.

8. Falling In Love- A great pop song. This one can also get stuck in your head, and I haven't gotten tired of it yet.

9. Come Down In Time- A beautiful jazz song, but a little too repetitive at times. Other than that, a good song.

10. This Life- Eh. It's alright. Sherie Rene does a good job, but then, there's not much you can do with this song. I must admit, I expected a lot more from the writers of the musical "Chicago"!

11. Real Emotional Girl- The saddest song on the whole CD. You can basically hear the tears leaking from Sherie's voice as she sings, and it's hard not to get a little teary.

12. Love Heals- Wonderful. Sherie's vocals are smooth and calming, which is quite a contrast to the perky, radiant version which the cast of "RENT" does on their album from the movie. Try listening to both of them, you'll get quite a contrast. Plus, Jonathan Larson is one of the greatest composers who EVER lived. Rest in peace.

13. He Gives Us All His Love- It's a little strange to hear an almost church-like song on this CD after a legion of jazz, but it is a good song for what it's worth.