Customer Reviews

Sweet Thing

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This CD is "Pure Gold." Over 500,000 copies of this CD have been sold since its release date. It hit the airwaves at #1, remained at #1 for a very long time, and stayed on the smooth jazz (Gavin, R&R, & Billboard) charts in the top 10 for over 2 years-- and is still going strong. This CD speaks for itself. Don't be fooled by the opinions of those who think they are contemporary jazz experts who want to always compare Boney James to Kenny G, or try to convince you that they know music better than the artists that are creating it. They need to get over it and "really" listen to his music so they can hear and feel the difference in what he brings to us opposed to those with which he is always being compared. Instruments will sound the same or similiar at times, it doesn't matter who is playing them but in this case you will clearly know who is who. What is most important though is that this CD has music that is full of fire, passion, and soul. The first song East Bay, sets the mood for the CD with that low tone Saxophone sound, bass drums, and bass guitar and you just can't get enough. You are immediately roped right in and by the time you get to (#6) After The Rain, you have been "Boneyized" and you will not want to turn it off. Hit repeat again? Yes please! Buy it and be your own Judge. A half million people out there have this CD in their smooth jazz collection. If you don't have it, you are missing out on something very, very special.

This album begins to set the mood with it's cd cover and booklet with it's simple pictures of sliced fruit that are so real in appearance that you can taste their sweet juices. Followed up by a 10 truely great jazz songs that are just as sweet. These songs are able to convey energy and motion while somehow still able to sooth the listener.

Having seen Mr. James in concert and having heard him describe the origins and objectives behind some of this albums songs I think it would be fair to say that given the response of the other reviewers that he succeeded. While jazz can have many goals such as relaxing the listener or providing music to dance to this albums goal was to create an atmosphere for romance and romance alone. There are no drastic changes in tempo or arrangement that will break the mood.

So if you want to create that special mood or reflect on previous romantic moments this album will help you get going.

While I have been a fusion jazz and Metheny fan for many years it was not until recently that I expanded my jazz horizons. I heard some Boney James on a Sunday AM jazz show and figured I'd give a listen. I bought Body Language first and then this CD. Both are excellent and bear repeated listenings extremely well. Along with Norman Brown, Boney is my 3 year old's favorite artist. That may sound hokey but he seems to have excellent taste (If I play Rage Against the Machine he puts his fingers in his ears and runs from the room screaming). His favorite on this CD is "After The Rain" which he must listen to every day to school which is an excellent choice. I highly recommend both CD's - they have been great finds.

This is definitely NOT Boney James' best album, but one that deserves some recognition nonetheless. The album is very slow, and sounds like modern R&B throughout. He does a fine job with his suprano saxophone, but overdoes it on some tracks and begins to sound a lot like Kenny G. I must credit the bass lines on this album, it's good to hear a jazz bassist that actually plays a low B or C [five or six string bass] more often than once per song. I use Sweet Thing as background music when I have people over, but not for an intense jazz experience. I suggest picking up Boney James' "Seduction" if you want to hear his true talent.

Sweet Thing is an example of an artist at his best. The album makes you fall in love with the saxaphone, and most of the songs are worth listening to. After listening to this album, Boney James became one of the artists whose work I search for consistently.

My favorite Boney cd and one of my favorite cd's overall in my collection. Every song is great, but my two favorites are East Bay and After the Rain. He brings a soulful, R&B funk to the saxophone. What a talent!

Although Seduction will always be my all-time favorite of Boney's, Sweet Thing/It's All Good is great work. East Bay is a wonderful groove and sets the tone for the rest of the tracks. But Sweet Thing is my cut from this cd. I got the opportunity to hear him play that song live and oh, my word!!

Buy it for yourself. Listen to it. You'll find yourself coming back to it.

I LOVE IT!! BUT THEN AGAIN, I LOVE ALL HIS CD'S, HE IS THE BEST AT WHAT HE DOES! HAVE SEEN HIM SEVERAL TIMES IN CONCERT, AND IF YOU EVER GET A CHANCE TO SEE HIM, DO IT !! IT WILL BE WELL WORTH THE $$$

Make sure you listen to this one with someone you love !!!! Boney James has done it again.

This whole cd is the bomb-diggity. This is soul flavored jazz at its finest. Get your significant other, light the incense and candles, pour the wine, and let your mind go on a "sweet" journey. This is one mellow ride into musical bliss.