Customer Reviews

Stay With Me

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

 

 

Imagine my excitement, as I happened upon a new Norman Brown release. I quickly paid my money to Amazon, and patiently waited for it too reach my yard. Upon arrival I have been listening to it for a couple of weeks now and it's a mixed bag. On the plus side, there are some gems to be found on this CD. 'Every Little Thing' is a great song, where Norman vocals are really add to this cut, but it's his craft with the guitar that at the fore here. 'So in Love' is a lovely quiet storm moment reminiscent of his time at Mo' Jazz. 'You keep lifting me Higher' again has the guitar at the for front, with a lovely female vocal at the chorus. Lastly 'Let's take a ridge ' kicks off the CD, and is very light and summery track, and a great introduction to the CD.

Now for the cons. A couple of tracks sound like they belong on a Paul brown Cd (Pop's Cool Groove, which Paul Brown produced) and others sound like Norman is just going through the motions ( it ain't Over,), whilst on others his vocal performance is very sub par( the Title track and the awful 'I need you' which also processes some awful lyrics like: 'I need you like the strings on my guitar) In small measures Norman vocals work well, but on too many songs it's in the fore front.

The best moments are when Norman's guitar is at the forefront, and the worst when his vocals take centre stage, or when he seems to be going through the motions.

I've been reading all these comments and it's hard to believe that so many people (Including a smooth jazz webradio owner) praise this new Norman Brown's album like his best album to date. Arguably Norman Brown is one of the most gifted smooth jazz artist you can find. His MoJazz recordings will remain for many years to come as an absolute reference point for the genre. Said that and after carefully listened "Stay with me" quite a few times I can't find a genuine explanation why so many people agree on this new album as his best work. Surrounded by an amazing crew (including his partners with B.W.B., trumpeter Rick Braun and saxman Kirk Whalum)Norman Brown is unable to ignite the fire that I personally expect from a musician of his caliber. Bland vocals (Norman definetely should stick to his guitar and ocassional scats) mixed with a set of instrumentals that won't surpass anything Norman Brown has done to the present. "Soul Dance" and "Pop's Cool Groove" (you can tell Paul Brown is behind this composition) are the only songs that vaguely reminded me "After the Storm", til this day in my humble opinion the best Norman Brown's album and without any stellar names in the personnel. I feel a great opportunity has been missed this time around considering the outstanding group of musicians available for this work. (Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Paul Brown, Sam Riney, Brian McKnight, Paulinho Da Costa and the list goes on). Even so,I still remain loyal to Norman Brown as one of my favorite smooth jazz artist and given time, he once again will amaze me with his unique talent and versatility.

I really like Norman Brown. He reminds me of the late great Wes Montgomery, and Mr Brown was inspired by his music. However, this CD has only one good cut, mixed with what sounds like Rap music. I think his title begs the question, "Stay with Me". I don't think so, smooth jazz, please on your next CD.

I mean this cat sure can play, but his nifty fingers almost make me doze off... Slumber at the tip of his fingers. This is like tuning down the excitement of George Bensons' most sleepy recordings.

I don't mind smooth jazz, but I hope the reviewers who say Mr. Brown had better albums are right...

I've been a big fan of Norman Brown for many years and I'm very disappointed with this latest offering. I'm used to a sexy, seductive message coming through his state of the art guitar work and convincing vocals. In "Stay With Me" he sounds, as the title suggests, like the whiny lover who gets dumped and pleads with his ex to stay, even though he knows he doesn't have much to offer. Or maybe he's fulfilling an unfavorable record contract and is telling his fans to hang around for his next CD.

Either way it's painful to listen to. It sounds like he's finally gotten around to recording some tunes he wrote in Junior High School. "I'm so in love with you" for instance. That is not only the title, those are the only lyrics in the song. After his Grammy for "Just Chillin'", Norman established himself as the foremost jazz guitarist of his generation. This album is an embarrassment, but as he suggests, stay with him; the next one is bound to be an improvement. From the depths of this trite drivel, there's nowhere to go but up.

For all those who don't like the cd, you must not have heard his past cds. All of his cd's are good, but this one is like a mixture of all the rest. He offers more variety and flavor to each song. He is my favorite guitarist in the jazz genre. Hear it for yourself before you form an opionion. He has done it again!!!

and catchy musical phrases. I continue to love his guitarwork, if your a Norman Brown fan you'll like this CD. The only caveat is I'm not a big fan of the singing (2 or 3 songs). It's not bad, just not what I buy a Norman Brown CD for...

This is Norman Brown in all phases. I have to admit the songs are original. However, I thought that his previous album,"West Coast Cooling" was one of his better album's. It had an upper-tempo, and a relaxing laid-back feeling of smooth jazz. Some cuts on this album has a little bit of Wes Montgomery and Lee Ritenour. I can say this because, I have all of Norman Brown's CD's.

I just got the Norman record today and I was pleased with it. It still is not as good as his work on the old MoJazz label to me, but its definitely some treats on here for the die hard Norman fans. My favs are: "You Keep Lifting Me", "It Aint Over BWB", "So In Love" (my favorite), and " A Quiet Place". Some great guests with Brian McKnight, Rick Braun, and Kirk Whalum. Norman will do well with this record as he never strays too far from what got him here. "After the Storm" is still my favorite Norman record, but I am pleased with this offering...

Another thumbs up for Norman Brown. I enjoyed each and every song on this CD.