Customer Reviews

So Much to Say

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On "So Much 2 Say," Take 6 deftly avoids the sophomore jinx that sometimes comes with a second album and instead surges past and defies expectations. "So Much 2 Say," which opens the album, is a masterpiece of scat singing, combined with smooth, long musical lines that break up the staccato abruptness of the speedy vocals. The six members of Take 6 are breathtaking in the assurance of their performance here, and it only gets better from there.

"I L-O-V-E U" is a superb dance tune (try it!) and a funky, beat-filled tribute to God's love. "Something Within Me" starts out like a traditional a cappella gospel tune, but after the first minute or so, transforms itself into a speedy, finger-snapping combination of soaring solo vocals (by which member, it doesn't say) grounded by the insistent, propulsive group work of the other five members. They even manage to work in some island flavor ("yah, mon," they sing, suddenly switching to clearly Caribbean accents) here, and it's charming.

"Come Unto Me" is reverent and crystalline in its purity. This a cappella exercise is utterly mesmerizing and a testament to the powerful talents of these six men, both as vocalists and as arrangers (they arrange most of their own music, not to mention writing a lot of it as well). "Sunday's on the Way" is a hilarious tale of Satan having a party in hell to celebrate the crucifixion:

Well, the demons were planning on having a little party one night

(We're having a party, we're gonna have a party)
They brought beer, Jack Daniels and some pretzels
A little red wine, and a little white . . .

This is a superb collection of songs, made all the more exciting by the breathtaking virtuosity of the singers. Long live Take 6!

This album is one of my favorites of all time. This is my second copy. For the uninitiated, Take 6 is an a cappella gospel group with a very modern sound. They actually started out as musicians, but met a few of them met in a bathroom once and sang a little for fun; then they formed a group. I saw this album done in concert and it was every bit as good as the recording! My date and I were totally blown away! We couldn't figure out how they could start the songs, perfectly on pitch, with no instruments, and no apparent cue.

The drum and instrument sounds on "I L O V E U" must be heard to be believed. Who knew these guys could do special effects with their voices as well as singing? "I'm On My Way" is a haunting spiritual that I used to sing in the shower a lot. "So Much 2 Say" is such a fast song, it's hard to believe anyone could sing that fast and still make it comprehensible, but you can understand every word! I just can't gush enough about this group. Just give them a listen if you like harmonies. You won't be sorry.

An acapella group, comprised of six men who blend thier voices to make some of the most sophistocated vocal music since the Boswell Sisters in the 30's. To top it all off, they are singing thier hearts out to out creator! Grreat music that certianly is sophistocated jazz, with deep roots in gospel. If you thought the Christian music scene was all rock'n'roll and alternitive, guess again.

I write this with the benefit of 14 years of perspective. When this first came out, and I heard it, I was blown away--especially by "I L-O-V-E U". How could 6 musicians make this kind of sound, especially without so much as a tambourine? And how could 6 singers sound this good individually, yet have such a tremendous blend? What kind of surface have they scratched?

In retrospect, I think this was as good as it got. The group forayed from gospel to pop with "Join the Band," and at that point, I lost interest. But what a ride this was! "Something Within Me" and "I'm on My Way" still stick with me as examples of how an a capella group can display pure joy through each individual, yet sound like a group. I still think this was and is the best a capella group ever, regardless of genre, based on this and the first album. Very highly recommended.

These guys sound so good, they're almost showing off! It's obvious they were out to have fun with this one. More loose than their first album, "So Much 2 Say" still retains all the best of their first release. Some of the best gospel performances you'll ever hear, can be found on this cd. Some of the best vocals ever, for that matter! The highlights are; 'So Much 2 Say,' 'I L-O-V-E U,' 'Something Within Me,' 'Time After Time(The Savior Is Waiting)' and 'I'm On My Way.' This album is also significant for two things; it was the last for Mervyn Warren(now producing other artists) and the use of instruments on 'Where Do The Children Play?' It will give you goosebumps. Especially Mark KIbbles intro to 'Something Within Me.' A sensational sophomore effort.

So Much to Say is a bit more pop\secular than the first, but this CD, along with their 1988 debut, must be some of the greatest cappella of all time. My favorite tracks were "Come unto Me," "Sundays on the Way," and "I Believe." Take 6 blends so well, their music is layered, and its hard to pick out the individual parts, even if you have musical training. The chord progressions are interesting, so is the rhythmic style and the synchopation. You could never regret buying this CD, no matter what kind of music you like. Really, I don't see how anyone could not like it.

Before I heard the cd, I didn't believe that anyone could sound that good. The faster songs made me clap my hands and snap my fingers without fail. The slower songs, especially "Come Unto Me", sounded so good that they gave me chills and had me thinking that I was the seventh member of the group. The best part of the whole thing was that when I finished listening, I walked away feeling good and with a positive message.

I first saw these guys live in the 80's at the Hollywood Bowl, and they rocked the place. They opened for Bebe and Cece Winans and I did not want them to leave! I saw them again live a few years later in Anaheim on a rotating stage. They have remained good all this time. This album is one of their best. I highly recommend it.

This CD is another one of Take 6's display of "FLAWLESS" Acapella, rich and unique sound, phenominal Contemporary Gospel/Jazz/R&B music in it's purest form.

Their debut was a breath of fresh air and it would be hard to match. On this album, they pushed hard but in the end the material is a little lower quality than on the self-titled CD. (The Gospel Music Association held a different view, giving this disc the Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for 1991).

If not as artistic, though, it would be the commercial breakthrough for the band, landing 2 hits on Christian radio (#3 "I L-O-V-E You", which also won a Dove award for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song, and #23 "Something Within Me")

One of the first unwelcome appearances is that staple of hip-hop: the "intermission" track. 4 throwaway vignettes/intros appear here (tracks 1,3,8,and 12). That leaves 9 actual songs.

HIGHLIGHTS:
The better material stands alongside their first effort. "I L-O-V-E U" is a catchy plea from God's point of view and made some noise on R&B radio as well as gospel. "Something Within Me" is decent, although a faux Jamaican bridge is a bad move that brings down the song. BeBe Winans gave the band's Mark Kibble a hand writing "I Believe" and it's a standout as well. Gospel stalwart "I'm on my Way (to Canaanland)" gets a nifty arrangement. "So Much 2 Say" flits by as a supersonic jazz vocal workout (you'll need the lyric sheet to decipher much of it).

LOWS:
On the downside, an overly cartoonish rendition of Carman's "Sunday's on the Way" doesn't compare to the original. "Where Do the Children Play?" warns parents to keep an eye out for those who would exploit their kids but it just doesn't stick in your head.

BOTTOM LINE:
It's not a washout, but if you're wanting to try out the band for the first time, get their debut first and wait on this one until you're already a fan.