Customer Reviews

Soul Singer

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I went to see Rachelle Farrelle perform at the Warner Theater in Washington, DC. Under her name was a performer who was slated to be the opening act, Ledisi. I had never heard of her neither was I aware of her talent. Later I found out she is a protégé of Rachelle's. She came out in a plain black dress, an african head wrap, and no shoes. She played with an awesome live band featuring Sundra and the Braxton Brothers and from the first note she sang ("Get Outta My Kitchen") her voice sounded as if she had been singing for 20+ years! A SEASONED voice! Almost spiritual. This girl sounded better LIVE than on any CD! If I hadn't been there I wouldn't have believed it. SHE TORE IT UP!!It was so refershing to hear actual singing with lyrics that had meaning. Neo-soul mixed w/ funk, R&B, jazz; the girl can scat her (...) off. She did a version of "Take Time" that was unforgettable. It took me a while to get her CD. I was running all over DC and MD looking for it in every store, and time after time I heard, "sorry, it's sold out!" Amazon was the ONLY place I could find it. #13 is called "Groove On" a mellow, sensual, slow jam that is definitely my favorite. Every cut is primo. ("Hotel," "In My Life," "I Want Cha Babe") She covers subjects ranging from spousal abuse to child abuse/incest, and she does it tastefully and seriously. This girl is bad! If you are sick and tired of the so called "music" that is being generated these days, please just give this CD a chance. I PROMISE - You will NOT be dissapointed. I have a copy for my car, work, and home. I agree with Delicious, too bad radio stations in DC/MD/VA haven't caught on yet. Ledisi, you are going far girlfriend!! Congrats!

I signed on to Amazon.com one day and noticed the name Ledisi on my recommended CD listing. I thought 'who is this, never heard of her'.....well I read the reviews and decided I'd give her a shot. I am so extremely happy I listened to my instincts this time!!! This CD is slammin'! Ledisi's style is indescribable. Soulful, jazzy, sensual....just plain talented. I've been playing the CD ever since I took it out of my mailbox and groovin' to every single track. I just hope she makes it to Atlanta to perform sometime soon! I am definitely recommending this one to all good soul music lovers.

I was hipped to this sista by a buddy of mine who told me I needed to peep one of her shows. Never did it. Then I heard a few of her cuts and was HOOKED! Blessed with an amazing voice and so much passion from it, Ledisi (Leh-duh-see) does her thang quite like no other, male artists included. If you want something jazzy and Neo Soulish and bluesy...this CD is for you. Long live Ledisi! Next up - I GOTTA see her in concert!

Ledisi and her CD, "Soulsinger" were highly recommended by a friend of mine some months ago. I finally purchased this CD about a month ago. Once I gave it a listen, I realized that my friend was right - Ledisi can SANG! And, she can really interpret a song - a talent that I don't often see in today's crop of big-name singers. I love this CD, but my favorite cuts are "Get Outta My Kitchen" and "Coffee". To me, it's unfair to try and put Ledisi and her music into any of those "categories", e.g., "neo-soul" (or whatever they're calling it now...). She covers so many bases that she is no mere "soul singer". I had the pleasure of seeing Ledisi live, here in Chicago, the other night. Her show was OFF THE HOOK! Don't sleep, folks! Get this CD, and check her out in concert if she comes your way. This young woman is gonna blow up, real soon.

When I finally contacted the radio station in D.C. begging for information about WHERE 2 FIND THIS AWESOME SOUL SINGER....I was feenin' 4 more sounds from LEDISI...I had 2 know how, where, who...her single 'TAKE TIME' was getting regular play, and whenever i heard it, i grabbed any cassette i saw and taped whatever i could catch of this truly MASTERPIECE of MUSIC...IT'S MY FAVE ON THE C.D., but the other tracks are not far behind on my list of faves...#9 is working on running neck and neck with #3 'TAKE TIME'.
IF U R TRULY A MUSIC LOVER, 1 WHO APPRECIATES REAL SOULFUL, PASSIONATE, MOVING, SOUNDS..PICK UP THIS CD...I ordered mine from AMAZON.COM, and had it in 2 short days...it's remained in my CD at home, so I've ordered another copy 4 my ride....it's one of those CD's with meaningful lyrics, beautiful words, music, and smooth background vocals/harmony. U will not need 2 skip around searching 4 the best tracks...IT'S ALL GOOD....looking 4ward 2 her new release....missed her appearance in D.C., BUT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN..I visit her website daily 2 ensure she's not headed 2 a place nearby...worth travelling 2..trust me...

What about "Papa Used to love Me"? Those aren't simple sentiments. Ledisi is no worse a lyricist than Angie Stone ("Bottles and Cans" is not exactly a complex expression of love, although I submit, "No More Rain" is very beautifully written). I think your criticism of the album is very harsh. On this CD, she's as good as many of the current greats (Jill, India, etc.), on her other album, she's even better vocally. Live, she's as good as they get. Honestly, it should be a compulsory part of everyone's education to see her live. She's better than Jill, India, Bilal, Carleen, Omar, Vivian, Angie, Mary J., even Erykah, and I don't say that too easily! Do not underestimate this lady.

What can I say about Ledisi that has not already been said? This entourage of talented artists is rare, provocative, soulful, bluesy, funky, and jazzy. Read this lyric here from "Soul Singer":

Got another gig 'til three in the monrnin. Another gig just to take. It ain't a lot of money to make. No time for love just sacrifice. Got a lot of friends with bad advice. You gotta believe in who you are. Cause you wanna be the next superstar.

Promises, Promises. Is what they speak. They'll make her a star if she becomes a freak. Talking loud and they's doin nothin. They use her up. And now she's all alone and now she's suffering.

This is deep, truthful and a reality. We have many examples of talented folks who suffer from this. For instance, Billie Holiday. There are other outstanding tracks on the cd "Coffee", dealing with an abusive spouse. "Getta outta my kitchen" nosey neighbors and others. "Papa loved to love me" dealing with incest. There are other issues like dealing with absent love and the like. Folks this here is real soul music. If you get the chance to see them live you will not be disappointed. My message to them is to not become commercial.

I walked into Rasella's, an Ethiopian Restaurant and Jazz Club in San Francisco, and struggled my way through the crowded room to find a spot to stand as I came thirty minutes into her show and there were no more seats available. Her presence immediately engulfed me into a trance that far exceeded my expectations. All I could hear was her voice. I was experiencing music on a different level- it was spellbinding. The band was captivating and Ledisi's voice was hypnotic. She went from high notes to low notes harmoniously and tunefully, scatting a difficult arrangement of tunes like no other. It was a "religious" experience, bringing tears to my eyes while singing jazzy ballads like, "My Funny Valentine." There was a passion from her heart that exuded her love for music and the entranced audience, with "bobbing heads" and all were receiving from her the art of singing in its truest form. Ledisi's voice is a rare instrument with many compositions yet to be played. Anibade, her band is invigorating and master their talents.

The CD, "Soulsinger," is original and is a tool for music lovers to gauge out of it the art of song composition. Her live performances are the illuminated versions of the "story" behind the music. Don't forget to put this CD in the shopping cart- it is a true value for what you'll get out of it.

I recommended Ledisi to a girlfriend a year ago, and she loves it. I just got it myself, and while this woman is definitely bad ... vocally, I can't get into her music or her beats. It is sad but many of the pop sensations out today have tight beats and really aren't that skilled vocally. But Ledisi definitely has a soul/jazz/blues feel to her that is unlike any other female vocalist out today. She surprises you with unique riffs and cool melodies. This is a refreshing addition to soul music today.

I am from the Bay Area, specifically Oakland, where Ledisi
evolved her gift and craft. We locals are probably tougher
on our own. In Ledisi's case however, the listener is
completely disarmed. Initially, you may listen with a
critical ear; but she soon engages you to the point like
one popular rap artist says she makes me "hit rewind"

We are proud of Ledisi, one of our own. I hear the influences
of Anita Baker, and Chante Moore,(another Bay Area vocal
queen) running like a thread through her scats and stylings.

After a thorough listen, I feel comfortable in describing
Ledisi as a "Soul Singer" supreme.