Sunshower [Import]

Thelma Houston | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 3, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Celeste Japan
• ASIN: B000062WMS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,921 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sunshower (From "His Own Dark City")

2. Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon

3. To Make It Easier on You

4. Didn't We

5. Mixed-Up Girl

6. Someone Is Standing Outside

7. Jumpin' Jack Flash

8. This Is Where I Came In

9. Pocketful of Keys

10. This Is Your Life

11. Cheap Lovin'

12. If This Was the Last Song

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1969 album from the Soul/Pop vocalist arranged and produced by Jimmy Webb. The album contains 11 Webb originals, mostly written for Thelma, but a few had already been recorded by other artists. Soul fans will recognize 'This Is Your Life,' which was revamped in 1977 by Norman Connors with Eleanore Mills on lead vocals. This first ever UK CD issue contains six bonus tracks of songs later released as singles during 1970 including her debut pop chart entry with a Soul-infused cover of Laura Nyro's 'Save The Country' plus two further singles. Passion. 2010. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sunshower is a brilliant work of art!, April 17, 2004

By 

Beverly Praiswater - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sunshower (Audio CD)

"Sunshower" is one of those works that is complete and satisfying. Like a fine art painting, every song fits together into this album.

Thelma Houston was the perfect choice for the vocalist. She breathes life and vision into every number.

Jimmy Webb is best known for his work with Glen Campbell and Richard Harris. Arranged and produced by Jimmy Webb, this is his finest work. Likewise for Thelma Houston who holds nothing back. She is in her finest form on every song.

The only dim spot in this album is that it never received the legitimate recognition that it deserved. Recorded as an lp in 1969, it is now available in limited quantities as an import from Japan. The sound of the CD is done immaculately well, resulting better than the original album.

Well worth waiting for, highly recommended for those who love an accomplished R&B female vocalist accompanied by rich arrangements.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Her Best!, November 28, 2002

By 

Eric Something (Seattle, Wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunshower (Audio CD)

This is Thelma Houston at her best! ...the material is top-shelf! I have a vinyl copy and it's easily
one of the most treasured albums in my vast collection. It's a wonder broadway didn't come knocking. Alas, I've read numerous
accounts of why it didn't take off from Dunhill not knowing how
to promote a black female singer to their reluctance to let Jimmy Webb cover his own work with the label and lost interest. Whatever the case there's not a loser in the bunch and sooo many big recording artists covered these tunes shortly after it's release. None came close to the magic that Thelma created. She belted, she growled, she carressed, these lyrics. And with Jimmy's great arrangements it just clicked! What kills me is how this album is mostly always forgotten when Jimmy's career is talked about in favor of his more bigger hits like Galveston with Glen Campbell or MacArthur Park with Richard Harris. Even with something as weird as "Pocketful of Keys" you can't find a better version. Easily i'd put this up there
with Dusty IN Memphis and Aretha's I Never Loved A Man (The Way
I Love You) albums. Peace

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STUNNING MASTERPIECE!!! BRAVO THELMA!!!!!, March 21, 2004

By 

Bradly Briggs (TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sunshower (Audio CD)

"Sunshower" is the most incredible album that legendary composer Jimmy Webb has ever written, arranged, and produced in his long and brilliant career! As Jimmy stated on the original album sleeve "I hurry to present Thelma... the most prodigious talent I have ever encountered" and Miss Houston more than lives up to this proclamation. Never have I heard a more brilliant marriage of artist and material and this work for many collector's has been an example of singing at it's finest since it's original release. Upon original release radio didn't know what to do with this classic but word of mouth spread like wildfire that Thelma Houston's voice was one of the all-time greats and not to be missed! Immediately I ran out and purchased what quickly became one of my all-time favorite female vocal albums ...I purchased numerous copies so that I would never be without a fresh copy. ... Stirring and soulful is "Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon" and hauntingly beautiful is "To Make It Easier on You" with a vocal that is magnificent. Many have done "Didn't We" but this is the definitive version with an ever so fine vocal that is unforgettable. "Mixed-Up Girl" is sung with such heartbreaking passionate longing that it is totally stunning. By the time you get to the gorgeous "Someone is Standing Outside" you know that this is a solid collection with no throw aways! Thelma really lets it rip on "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and this version is a notch up from the original and really cooks and is a gas!!. Another glorious heartbreaking vocal goes deep inside "This is Where I Came In" and deep anguish through the haunting "Poketful of Keys". "This is Your Life" is an epic ballad with a beautiful passionate vocal that pleads to a wayward lover and is breathtaking in its beauty. Another cooker in this magical collection is the hard rocking "Cheap Lovin'" and the closer is the spiritual "If This Was the Last Song" which ends on a passionate high that soulfully breaks into "Somebody is Standing Outside". Get this fast while its available because they don't get finer than this!! ...