State of Mind

Midon, Raul Midon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Manhattan Records
• ASIN: B0007YMUO8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,471 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Raul Midon’s debut State of Mind is the sort of CD that makes R&B tastemakers twitch with pleasure. These 13 tracks are so supple, round and rich it’s safe to say the blind, New Mexico-born, half-Argentinean R&B/jazz artist is a unique hybrid of Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. There has been a lot of speculation as to whether his sightlessness has helped Midon arrive at his Wonder-esque soul and scary-real talent. Weigh in if you want, but don't expect to arrive at any satisfying conclusions. Midon, like Wonder, Hathaway, and Al Jarreau, is the rare artist so clearly delivered to this earth for the sole purpose of making beautiful music. Drawing from pop, reggae, jazz, Afro-Cuban, and flamenco wells, Midon twists together a wonderful genre grab-bag strong enough to rival Seal. Two highlights, on an album full of them, arrive on track seven "Expressions of Love," when Stevie Wonder steps in for a harmonica solo, and on "Keep on Hoping," where Midon duets with the talented folk/ blues artist Jason Mraz. -Tammy La Gorce

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing., June 29, 2005

By 

K. Smith (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: State of Mind (Audio CD)

The ONE TIME TiVo lets me down. It failed to record Letterman last night for some reason. Good thing my insomnia kicked in and I stayed up and watched it anyway. This guy was INCREDIBLE. I have a fascination with amazing acoustic guitar playing and this was AMAZING. I would most describe it to be like a flamenco style. Incredible guitar talent. And the vocal trumpet thing? Awesome. When he played that guitar solo along with his "trumpet" solo it took me a second to figure out what was going on it was so seamless.

I had no idea the guy was actually BLIND until I started looking up everything I could find on the guy that was on the internet. I can't remember the last time seeing a musician perform on TV has had such an effect on me. First thing this morning I got up and went all over town hoping someone would have his CD (of course... nobody did). I gave up on the search for a little while, but just could not stop thinking about it. I eventually tracked down a copy (although it took a longer than I wanted - Borders calls it "R&B"... which I guess it could be, but it seems unfair to classify his music into such a 'neat' category).

One of my favorite songs so far is the second track, "If You're Gonna Leave," but they're all really solid songs. I don't want to do a play-by-play of the entire CD, but just know that the CD is pretty incredible. If you liked what you have seen on Letterman/Leno/etc. or heard on NPR, you're going to love this CD.

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I just came back on after having this CD for about two months because I wanted to give an update of sorts after having listened to this CD quite a bit. Honestly, I just enjoy the CD more and more each time I listen to it. I talk up Raul Midon's music pretty much any opportunity that I get, and I really hope that he becomes very successful. We need more musicians like him in the world... it just makes the world a better place to live :)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AT LAST, SONGS!!! Expressions of Love! Mystery Girl!, June 29, 2005

By 

Peter Lavezzoli (Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: State of Mind (Audio CD)

Of course I was anxiously awaiting the Letterman show, and Raul was as stunning as I expected! But folks, the song that he played, State of Mind, is only the tip of the iceberg. But first off, before I get to the artistry of Midon himself, let me praise this disc as an outstanding RECORDING. The production is perfectly understated but not bland, the placement order of the songs is very convincing, and the sound of Raul's voice and guitar comes through impeccably, so hats off to the great Arif Mardin for his production expertise. This recording succeeds on every level.

I've been seeing Raul for a few years now, and let me give some background. A native of New Mexico, blind from birth, Midon rose to the top of the jazz program at University of Miami, one of the most competitive programs in the world. I first saw Raul when he was still living and playing in Miami, and in those days he mixed his own unique R&B material with a healthy dose of serious jazz. This may not be apparent from this new CD, but let me say that Midon is one of the hottest acoustic guitarists in JAZZ...he would often sing a scat vocal of GIANT STEPS by Coltrane while ripping on the guitar at a level of virtuosity that is simply astonishing. He plays in the classical and flamenco style, and the jazz people at the University of Miami nicknamed him "Segovia." He also played as a member of Colombian singer Shakira's band on the road for some time, and he is a master of Afro-Latin rhythms, a formidable percussionist in his own right. He finally realized that NYC is the place for a musician of his calibre, and after moving there, he has astounded everyone.

So...we have a jazz and Latin music virtuoso who also happens to be one of the most soulful vocalists and songwriters out there. Raul Midon is a musician's musician, but he's also the non-musician's musician, with some of the best LOVE BALLADS you'll ever hear. Lyrically, he is nothing less than a Ray Of Sunshine, a true Brother Of The Light, bringing positivity, love, and light into this world. As a composer, he knows how to give each song its own unique twist. Although his writing is crafted in the R&B tradition of Stevie Wonder (who appears on this album) and Curtis Mayfield, he finds little ways to inject his jazz chops on the guitar: brief flashes of virtuosity (check the solo on Mystery Girl) and unusual chord progressions in the Steely Dan vein. Midon has had a full band in the past, but recently he has preferred to play as a solo acoustic artist. This CD is in that vein, and is well produced by Arif Mardin, who obviously understood that Midon would shine the brightest in an intimate acoustic setting.

Every track here is outstanding, but if I had to pick highlights, pay special attention to the closing track, All In Your Mind (a stunning look at life through the eyes of a blind person), or the song with Stevie Wonder's harmonica solo, which is Expressions of Love! Never mind Stevie, he's great on this, but the song itself is SO worthy of our attention...a song of hope and rebirth for those of us who have suffered in love. I've cried over this song, and that is a blessing. And the real classic LOVE BALLAD is the funky, soulful Mystery Girl...this is the one song that will knock you out completely. But again, every song is a gem. This is a formidable debut. I've been waiting for this CD for years, and even though I'm a longtime Midon fan, this disc has still exceeded my expectations. I'm going to have a hard time removing it from my player. The tasteful production and high quality of material stand up to repeated listenings. This is what real music sounds like. When music can bring tears and joy, you know it's real. And it's real Raul. We are all very fortunate that he has arrived, because I promise you that he is going to take us to some very beautiful places in the future where we need to go.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, amazing, amazing, June 29, 2005

By 

G. M. James "Music Lover" (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: State of Mind (Audio CD)

Amazing, amazing, amazing. Raul Midon is truly a musical genius. Words cannot describe how mind-blowingly, unbelievably talented this man is. He is simply phenomenal.

My husband and I saw Raul perform live at the Miami Beach Jazz Festival early this month (June 2005), where he was the opening act for a double concert by Chris Botti and Norman Brown. When he started playing, the audience was so transfixed by him that everyone was silent. Between songs, you could hear people whispering, "Who is this guy?!? My God, he's AMAZING!" The crowd honestly went nuts over him, clapping and wooing louder and louder at the conclusion of each song played. It was an amazing experience.

I bought his album the day it was released and was thrilled to once again hear the songs that he performed live in concert, including "Sunshine". It's been a long time since I've seen an artist that exudes this level of talent, which for me is very exiciting. Raul's fusion of jazz, pop, R&B, and Flamenco-style music is fresh and original. His lyrics are inspiring and meaningful. On top of that, he's been BLIND SINCE BIRTH, which will make your jaw drop even further once you hear him.

When Raul plays, it sounds like multiple instruments are playing, including drums and trumpet. He is able to play a guitar and keep a steady drum beat at the same time by using the base of his acoustic guitar as a drum. He also vocalizes the same sound a trumpet makes by blowing air out of his tightly pursed lips. If you had your eyes closed, you would NEVER KNOW that it wasn't someone actually playing a trumpet. This man is incredibly gifted and is truly blessed with a God-given talent.

Buy this album. You won't be disappointed.