Customer Reviews

Sherie Rene... Men I've Had

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4 star:		(1)
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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.

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!

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.

Sherie Rene Scott's debut album, Sherie Rene... Men I've Had, is absolutely amazing. She has such astounding vocal talent that I am in awe everytime I listen to it. This disc has not left my CD player since I have gotten it! Sherie is such an amazing performer and this CD really captures her soothing, sexy voice. Aida fans will love it. So all you pop/rock, musical theatre fans out there pick up "Sherie Rene... Men I've Had". Believe me, you will not be disappointed!

Sherie Rene Scott's album is composed of songs by the men she's "had". In other words, the men's she's worked with. Songs from Kander & Ebb, Elton John and Pete Townshend make this a must for all fans plus, Sherie Rene's voice soars on this album much as she is currently doing on Broadway's AIDA. the song "Love Heals" by Jonathan Larson, the creator of RENT caps off this excellent album.

Sherie Scott (in the role of Amneris) was one of my favorite parts about Broadway's Aida, so I was very excited to hear her solo album, and she does not disappoint. She has a wonderful voice that ranges from soft & sweet to powerhouse belt. The selection of songs really lets her show off her talents. My personal favorite is her jazzy rendition of Pete Townshend's "Squeezebox". I'd recommend this CD to anyone who loves pop divas or showtunes. Its sure to get heavy rotation in my CD player.

I first saw her sing live in the broadway production of AIDA and she blew me away. Then I get her newly released CD "Sherie Rene . . . Men I've Had". WOW! She has a voice that is unbeatable. It is pure in the ballads and a belting powerhouse in the uptempo songs. The CD has such a wide variety of music, from Pete Townsends boogie'n "Bargain" to a carribean rendition of the hit "Let My Love Open the Door" to Randy Newman's simple and heartbreaking "Real Emotional Girl". It also includes "Love Heals", the only recorded song written by the composer and writer of the musical RENT, the late Jonathan Larson. USA Today gave Sherie's CD a fabulous, well deserved rating of 3 out of 4 stars! I guarantee that if you are a fan of female singers who can make you get up and dance one minute and have you crying your eyes out the next, then get this CD. You will not be disappointed!

I can't write a better critique than the ones I've seen praising this cd. Each presentation by Ms. Scott and her instrumentalists is imaginative, thoughtful, and musical. And with composers and lyricists such as the ones she interprets here--Randy Newman, Elton John, Pete Townsend--you can't go wrong. I'll be listening to this one a lot.

I know her and she is the sweetest person in the world. She has the voice of an angel, and her CD is amazing. It has a little something for everybody. My favorite songs on the CD are Squeezebox and Mona Lisas and Madhatters... She sings both songs amazingly.