Customer Reviews

Songs From the Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know what you expect from a dreaded guy showing his bare foot on the cover, but that picture is meant to fool you. This is the most honest& best album I have played over the air in 2004. The more times you listen to this cd all the way through, the more you'll be convinced this man is put here just to help you see. Very rarely you'll find such an artist at his peak, and virtually unknown. Very proud to say my listeners request Michael Franti regularly. Every flower has a right to be bloomin :) Brilliant!

For anyone who likes Franti AND appreciates music that is not highly produced, here is a beautiful, stripped-down acoustic cd. Even if you're looking for an introduction to Franti, you can't go wrong here. Check it out. You won't be disappointed. Franti's positive message and musicality really shine here. Nice, tasty acoustic guitar and percussion work here too. I'm telling you, check it out!

This album, refered to as an "acoustic collection", contains songs that can also be found on other Franti & Spearhead cds. However, I'd have to say this one is my favorite.
Free of fancy overdubs and superfluous instrumentation--it's Franti's extraordinary talent that carries this cd. From the rockin' entrance of "Yes I Will", to the sly "Ganja Babe", every tune is fresh, unique and captivating. Michael Franti's eclectic style crosses genres and generations, and is a welcome relief from the generic "mu$ic" so widely marketed these days.
This music is real.

Basically this CD is fantastic. Great rythm. Great melodies and such inspiring lyircs. This is for anyone who needs music that is sincere and honest. As well, is musically superb. If you dig hip-hop, regaee and acoustics, you'll dig this album. There is a hint of Marley, Ben Harper, and many other great artist. Great CD, we need this...two thumbs way up!

At the time of this writing, the CD in question has not yet been released, but I'm ordering it anyway.

I'm 46 years old and lecture large groups of radio professionals worldwide. Having said that, let me say that Michael Franti deserves, and I believe will ultimately receive, much more recognition than he's yet been given. Like that other unrecognized genius of contemporary phrasing, Nellie McKay, Franti is a brilliant lyricist, "I'm a little under the weather today. Too much pepper spray can make a brother congested, y'know what I'm sayin'?" (song - Skin On The Drum)

Michael Franti is Jimi Hendix, minus the guitar. A true outsider.

I love this guy.

You will, too.

This is truly a beautiful collection of acoustic songs that have been taken from a number of different Michael Franti and Spearhead albums. The songs have been striped back to a simple acoustic strum and drumbeat, accompanied at different times by hand claps, piano, and flute.

Opening with "Yes I Will", a catchy and smooth flowing song that builds to a near gospel ending, the album starts with one of the best songs. "Closer to the Sky" is purely a slow acoustic ballad, whilst track 3 "Firefly" has a toe tapping piano and percussive beat which you cant help but move to. "Love'll set Me Free" is another slower tempo song with an acoustic guitar and flute accompanying it. "Love Invincible" - which is taken of Franti's new spearhead album "Everyone Deserves Music" - is brilliant as it ups the pace again and has an irresistible congo rhythm underlying the quick guitar strumming and Wurlitzer. On the next track "Anybody Seen My Mind" Franti once again slows the pace. This leads us into the last 4 songs on the album that are perfect. "Sometimes" starts to bring in a more hip hop style of singing rather than the more soulful style that Franti has used on the earlier songs. This style is continued on the final three songs with track 8 "Stay Human" being my personal favourite on the album. The finger picking on the acoustic tries to make you float away whilst Franti's "boom bab" lyrics and other oral percussion sounds keep you stuck there listening. Franti also makes the song more and more urgent as he increases his voice and pace. "Oh My God" brings on some real "spoken" lyrics and Franti steps up his political theme too, before once again getting more urgent. Track 10, is the funky closer "Ganja Babe" where Franti exercises his deep smooth soulful singing and steers the topic down a lighter path, accompanied by some damn catchy whistling.

Overall this album is well worth a purchase as it is a sweet melding of both a hip-hop flavour and a lighter acoustic "no frills" approach. With some interesting lyrical topics, sweet melodies, hand claps and a pop/hip-hop/soulful voice over the top it is truly songs for the front porch.

5 stars

This is an acoustic collection - you'll not hear too many accompanying instruments. However this a beautiful album. The more you listen to it, more you'll love the music.

The songs I like:

Yes I Will - great lyrics, doesn't need more than a guitar
Closer to the sky - Slow paced, great rendition by Franti
Firefly - Forget the words, the music is fantastic. I had to listen again and again - the song is short and leaves you wanting for more. It hits those neurons in the brain that make you derive sheer joy from music.
Love'll set you free - good music, beautiful flute
Love invincible - wording seems bit odd (with all the ---ssibles) at first but sung so well
Stay Human - listen to the words


Take the CD on a long drive at night - you'll love this.

I'm also a singer-songwriter, and I've bought two Michael Franti CDS, recently his Songs From the Front Porch, and also his neweast CD,
All Rebel Rockers, and both CDS are treasured. His songs are often unforgetatable,and show rare genius, especially the insightful love songs on his latest release, All Rebel Rockers, which shines with several classics. Franti joins the ranks of top songwriters such as Bob Marley...

I heard one of these songs in an advert for a charity. I bought the album as a result. Wow! This guy is a great singer, songwriter. The lyrics are emotive and te tunes are catchy. It's very easy to listen too. He also tackles some difficult topics with sensitive and cliche free lyrics.

Hard to top the passion and insight that went in to this CD -- As usual it's awesome