Customer Reviews

No Sound But a Heart

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After entering the scene as a pop balladeer, Sheena Easton switched gears and attitude and unleashed A PRIVATE HEAVEN, which housed the infamous hits 'Strut' and 'Sugar Walls' and made her a sex symbol after years as a Streisand clone. After the commercial failure of DO YOU, it seems as though her label was a bit skeptical about her retail future, so they held on to this album without ever releasing it. It's not completely hard to understand why--after her success as a dance-oriented artist, this album was virtually all ballads, so there reservations may have had some foundation--we'll never know. It's a shame they didn't give it a try, because it's probably her most consistent album next to THE LOVER IN ME, and doesn't sound nearly as dated as her other EMI albums from that period. There's really not a bad song here--the standouts, though, are definately 'Wanna Give My Love', 'The Last To Know'( later recorded by Celine Dion), and the album's highlight, the Prince-penned 'Eternity'. Vocally, Easton' voice was at the height of its' glory--this should have really reinforced her standing as a first-rate song interpreter. As it stands, it remains a diamond in Easton's sometimes spotty album catalog.

I went on a Sheena buying spree and went for the CDs I didn't own (most of them) and replacing my vinyl. What's up with MCA not releasing this?? After drudgingly listening to "My Cherie" and "No Strings" when this came I thought "Well, I already know "Eternity" so maybe it's not gonna be such a drag!" Well this to me is one her most consistent and listenable recording projects of her career. Her voice is in great form, the material excellent. I just wish One Way Records had included more information on the CD liner as there are really no credits except the writers. There isn't a dull track on this recording. Sheena really got short shrifted career wise. Who the hell managed her anyway?

Perhaps the days of sequenced synth-pop from the 1980's are over. That doesn't keep this album from sounding as refreshing today as it would have been if it had been released back in 1987 when it was made. Who knows, Sheena could have had a couple of more top-ten hits if some of these songs had been released. From timeless ballads for which Sheena is famous, like "Still Willing to Try," to electronic-drum-and-synthesizer period pieces such as "No Sound But A Heart," the songs on this album provide a rare confluence of quality song material, professional production, and Sheena's beautifully expressive voice.

"No Sound But A Heart" is the great lost Sheena Easton album - lost in the United States anyway. One single, Prince's "Eternity" (also covered by Chaka Khan) was issued, and the entire project was scrapped here, although it was released in Canada. At the time (1986), Sheena Easton was enjoying a remarkable career, one which found her straddling the top 40, dance, r&b, adult contemporary and country charts at one time or another, and there was no reason to think she would drop off in popularity anytime soon. But when the supposedly sure-fire "Eternity" was only a minor hit, this satisfying album was the casualty. Contract negotiations evidently played a big part as well. No matter, "No Sound But A Heart" is here, a voluptuously mellow Sheena Easton contemporary pop ballad set, primarily helmed by Marin County's estimable Narada include a Christmas song from the "Santa Claus" movie (remember that one?); an edgy, semi-successful new wave "Shock Wave" co-Michael Walden. The title song is a real gem,and "Floating Hearts" is a moody standout, but there are no clunkers on this set. Sheena's vocals are smooth and emotional. The four bonus cuts written by Easton; and the two superb big beat numbers Sheena did in the film "About Last Night," both written by Tom Snow and Cynthia Weil, "So Far So Good" and "Natural Love," two of her best recordings ever.

Wow! This album is incredible. It is chock-full of beautiful ballads on which Sheena has never sounded better. Perhaps the only thing more amazing than this album is the fact that her record company refused to release it here in the United States. This astounds me, as many artists put out albums these days (and even back then) without even a fraction of the quality of this recording, with its impeccable vocal performances and mostly incredible songwriting. The only thing I can figure out is that perhaps the record label was afraid that since the album was mostly ballads it would alienate Sheena's fans who were used to her up-tempo pop numbers, but I think it would have simply gone over well in the adult contemporary arena, and what's wrong with appealing to a broader audience? But I digress. No Sound But a Heart is a beautiful piece of work, get a copy if you possibly can.

She always was and in this rediscovered album still is : the best. What a fab collection of stunning songs. And what a voice !

Sheena Easton "No Sound But A Heart" is a real treat to listen to. This Album never was released in the USA in 1987, but to listen to it today, it is like a timeless piece of artistry. Tracks that stand out are Still In Love, Floating Hearts, and my favorite No Sound But A Heart. It keeps the true feel of R&B, with a real romantic touch, being her beautiful voice. Check it out for yourself and find out why Sheena Easton is a female voice that even Celine, Shania, and Mariah can't touch..

In 1987, only the locally manufactured cassette and the UK print of the CD was available in Singapore. My friend scoured US record shops for a copy but failed to find any. So it left us Singapore fans wondering what the hell happened to the release. Rumours and conspiracy theories flew around. It was only with the internet that we found out the truth some years ago.

I'm glad that I bought the original UK pressing which came with many gorgeous photos of Sheena. Her vocals here are so sublime that words would not do justice to this magnificent album. The ballads are so beautifully sung. I especially love The Last To Know. Sheena made it a heartfelt plaintive plea as opposed to Celine Dion's violent version (BTW I luv Celine also).

Wanna Give My Love and Still In Love are her standout vocal workouts here. The reissue includes the bonus Shockwave which is the B side of Eternity and two tracks from the soundtrack About Last Night. Also included is the rarity It's Christmas All Over The World, which was not on any Sheena album previously.

I did not know that this CD was reissued until I saw it on Amazon. So kudos to Amazon for stocking this.

Sheena Easton, always the victim of over-or-underproduced albums, finds the golden rule in this one. Unfortunately it was not released worldwide in 1987 (when it was recorded). Since it is rare for Sheena to achive this good a result (other similarly good efforts include No Strings and The Lover In Me), give it a try. When she has good producers and songwriters, she truly shines. Mariah and Celine should take notes.

Long-awaited 1987 album is now finally available. Recorded after the disappointing dance venture flop "Do You", "No Sound..." is every bit as refreshing now as it was 12 years ago.
Working with the best of producers such as the late Keith Diamond, the great Narada M. Walden and Prince, Sheena has made an excellent unsurpassed ballad album containing such great potential hits like "No Ordinary Love", "Last To Know" and "Floating Hearts".
No effort was spared, including the exquisite photo session by famous celebrity photographer, Herb Ritts.
With a smooth and silky vocal not demonstrated by nowaday artists, Sheena was at her best in "No Sound But A Heart". Two other lady singers covered tracks from "No Sound...": Patti LaBelle did "Still In Love" and Celine Dion sang "The Last To Know" on her debut English album.
Due to contractual disagreement, this precious gem of an album never saw the light of the day - only a few foreign pressing existed - until now!
One Way Record has generously included four bonus tracks.

Also recommended: Check out "You've Learned To Live Without Me" from her 1995 "My Cherie" CD album. It's the closest thing to achieving "No Sound But A Heart" Part 2!