Customer Reviews

Street of Dreams

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

kprovo@hotmail.com from TORONTO , June 14, 1999 STREET OF DREAMS . . .AUSTIN EMBRACES OLD & NEW WITH CLASS!! Trademark diversity in place, Patti Austin, vocalist extraordinaire starts set off with a generous re-thinking of the otherwise bland "The Look of Love". (Bacharach and David never had it soooo good!) She even helps breathe some life into the old standard "Street of Dreams", the title cut, but when "A Candle" (new song) takes off it is clear that we have yet another Patti Austin treat for the old mixed tape. Singer, words, melody, and production are well-matched on this tune . . . music so good . . . ! When Austin sings "Someone To Watch Over Me" it makes the listener long for an entire Austin-Gershwin recording, so sweet the marriage of melody and voice. Leave it to Austin to remind us so stylishly why "I Only Have Eyes For You" is a standard. Colour Me Badd lend harmonies! "For Once in My Life" takes on a new face with an uptempo, funky arrangment that soars into a scat menage sweeter than any so-called "jazz vocals" I've heard so far this year! When Patti sings the much-recorded "Calling You", walls come down, curtains pull back, a new layer revealed . . . the desperation of the lyric becomes a siren song to lost loves. Could "Waiting For You" be the singer's most subtly poignant vocals ever? "Beautiful" seems even an understatement when describing the wonders at work on this gem, and don't be fooled by the laid-back approach on Boz Scaggs' "Look What You've Done To Me". Several plays later you'll be getting something new from the song each time, just like this great Patti Austin album, respecting the old by blessing it anew! KDP

Patti Austin has done it again. "Street of Dreams" is reminiscent of Patti's CD, "The Real Me." The rich, sultry voice of Patti Austin blends with a contemporary jazz background, making this CD one of her best. The CD contains a mix of remakes along with new material, giving it a well-rounded flair. Patti Austin is a true Diva with God-given talent. "Street of Dreams," once again, demonstrates the depth and seriousness of her musical prowess. Patti Austin has never received the recognition she deserves, but for those who know her, we know and appreciate the singing sensation really she is.

I just happened to make one of my weekly stops at the local cd store.Hoping to find some patti austin's imports or vintage cds,much to my surprise I saw the new street of dreams album,i try to watch tv and read magazines for upcoming cd releases, somehow i missed the hype on this one. a true treasure of wonderfully recorded standards. hal davis/bachrachs' the look of love is so fresh but classic.Patti has always recognized well crafted songs and with her incredible voice it the next best thing to a live concert.Many wonderful surprises;stevie wonders' for once in my life,the gershwins'someone to watch over me,the nostagic; i only have eyes for you,boz scaggs'look what you done for me,steely dans'what a beautiful world:remember patti is one of original babylon sistahs and a hauntingly beautiful track that i first heard on a cd import by celine dion,then i heard it again on the bagdad cafe soundtrack. Calling you is a song that timeless and beautifully interpeted by patti.This track alone is worth the price of the cd.but just think this cd is filled with other incredible songs.I play this cd all the time.I never tire of it. Truly a bonus and a must have. I cant wait until the next cd.

Gotta hand it to Patti for being able to sing all these different pop-era standards without mangling any of them like so many other contemporary pop artists do. Tunes like the swingin' jazz track Street of Dreams, the sultry I Only Have Eyes for You, and the haunting Look What You've Done to Me are carried out with fine finesse and superb artistry. Even her rendition of Igy fits in with her usual pop stylings from her earlier releases.She sings each track with her own brand of soft and soulful sensuality yet would never be confused with melo dramatic or pretentious bravura of, say Whitney Houston.Because Austin does not buy into the diva persona this actually makes her very likeable and accessible with producers, artists and her public (fans).At one point Street of Dreams was only available as a Japanese import at a price that was quite questionable. Now, it's an American release and a real keeper...

Trademark diversity in place, Patti Austin, vocalist extraordinaire starts set off with a generous re-thinking of the otherwise bland "The Look of Love". (Bacharach and David never had it soooo good!) She even helps breathe some life into the old standard "Street of Dreams", the title cut, but when "A Candle" (new song) takes off it is clear that we have yet another Patti Austin treat for the old mixed tape. Singer, words, melody, and production are well-matched on this tune . . . music so good . . . ! When Austin sings "Someone To Watch Over Me" it makes the listener long for an entire Austin-Gershwin recording, so sweet the marriage of melody and voice. Leave it to Austin to remind us so stylishly why "I Only Have Eyes For You" is a standard. Colour Me Badd lend harmonies! "For Once in My Life" takes on a new face with an uptempo, funky arrangment that soars into a scat menage sweeter than any so-called "jazz vocals" I've heard so far this year! When Patti sings the much-recorded "Calling You", walls come down, curtains pull back, a new layer revealed . . . the desperation of the lyric becomes a siren song to lost loves. Could "Waiting For You" be the singer's most subtly poignant vocals ever? "Beautiful" seems even an understatement when describing the wonders at work on this gem, and don't be fooled by the laid-back approach on Boz Scaggs' "Look What You've Done To Me". Several plays later you'll be getting something new from the song each time, just like this great Patti Austin album, respecting the old by blessing it anew! KDP

Trademark diversity in place, Patti Austin, vocalist extraordinaire starts set off with a generous re-thinking of the otherwise bland "The Look of Love". (Bacharach and David never had it soooo good!) She even helps breathe some life into the old standard "Street of Dreams", the title cut, but when "A Candle" (new song) takes off it is clear that we have yet another Patti Austin treat for the old mixed tape or CD burn. When Austin starts off singing: "...There's a sadness here inside my heart ..." we know it's "gonna be special". Singer, words, melody, and production are well-matched on this tune . . . music so so good . . . !

Her lovely serenading on "Someone To Watch Over Me" makes the listener sort'a long for an entire Austin-Gershwin recording, so sweet the marriage of melody, lyric, and voice.

Leave it to Austin to remind us so stylishly why "I Only Have Eyes For You" is a standard. Members of Colour Me Badd lend harmonies! Incredibly ROMANTIC; lush.

"For Once in My Life" takes on a new face with an uptempo, funky arrangment that soars into a scat menage sweeter than any so-called "jazz vocals" I've heard so far this year!

When Patti sings the much-recorded "Calling You", walls come down, curtains pull back, a new layer revealed . . . the desperation of the lyric becomes a siren song to lost loves.

Could "Waiting For You" be the singer's most subtly poignant vocals ever? "Beautiful" seems even an understatement when describing the wonders at work on this gem, and don't be fooled by the laid-back approach on Boz Scaggs' "Look What You've Done To Me". Several listens later you'll be getting something new from the song - just like this great Patti Austin album, which respects the old by blessing it ... anew!

KDP kprovo@hotmail.com

After "In and Out Of Love" I figured Patti wouldn't be able to top it. Well she matched and then some for sure. This album is another great mood setter and will quickly become one of your favorites. My 15 year old Niece-"Miss Backstreet Boys" herself asks to play this when she comes over. This is another keeper from Ms. Austin. Buy it before it goes out of print.

Patti Austin is one of the best rhythm and blues and pop voices we have. She never ceases to amaze me with the poignancy or fire she brings to her vocals. This collection of classic standards and some newer tunes showcases Ms. Austin at her best. "Calling You" from Bagdad Cafe was robbedof its Oscar by Carly Simon's "Let the River Run". It's a haunting, emotional ballad and her delivery is soulful and expressive. Her turn on "Look What You've Done to Me" does honor to Boz Scagg's excellent song. The remainder is top notch and well produced. Keep up the good work, Patti. In this world where shriekers like Lauryn Hill and Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Alanis Morrissette rule, you are still the queen!

Patti Austin is the best! This is the 6th CD of hers that I own. She brings back the old standards with style. Her rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me" is outstanding, but she really gets uptempo with "For Once in My Life." She really makes my commute bearable!

Firstly the album is "Street of Dreams" not Story of Dreams. On this album Patti is on an easy going jazz style and she does it with style and ease. With her multi facet of great singing styles she comes straight to the heart on "waiting for you" one could just drift into the emotions she delivers. the opening track "The look of love" abacharach composition, here it is transformed to greater heights with Patti's style. Hey! am sure even those who are not yet a Patti fan will soon follow on with this great album. Will the radio stations finally give Patti the air-play and recognition she deserves.