Customer Reviews

Sweetheart 2005: Love Songs

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

 

 

There was alot of buzz about the Sweetheart 2005 Love Songs CD when it was first released at the end of 2004, partly because of the caliber of artists involved, and partly because of the songs they selected to cover. I'm not sure if and how the distributing changed later on. This was originally only available through Starbucks stores in the US, and I believe it was geared towards the adult contemporary/MOR demographic, but anybody that is a true music fan knew it was ALOT more than that. Every song covered here is a treasure; in fact there are actually few various artists/compilation albums I can even compare this to. After first playing it, I immediately went back and purchased 6 additional copies to give away as Christmas gifts, and everybody just loved it. You can tell each artist picked a song that was special to them. Covers include songs by The Smiths, Joy Division, Bob Dylan, Bill Withers, even Cat Stevens. I also find that the sequencing is spot on, and ending it with Mindy Smith's singing "A Nightingale Sang in Barclay Square" was a stroke of genius.

I have this almost 3 years now and it still hasn't even begun to get old. I wish they would make more various artists albums like this, but perhaps you can't get lightning in a bottle twice. If you can get your hands on a copy of Sweetheart, I strongly recommend it.

1 My Funny Valentine (Rodgers and Hart-Ella Fitzgerald) Rufus Wainwright
2 Let My Love Open the Door (Pete Townshend) M. Ward
3 Buckets Of Rain (Bob Dylan) Neko Case
4 Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division) Calexico
5 She's Got Everything (The Kinks) Old 97's
6 How Can I Tell You (Cat Stevens) Gary Jules
7 Give Your Mama One Smile (Big Bill Broonzy) Madeleine Peyroux
8 The More I See You (Cole Porter-Chet Baker) Sondre Lerche
9 I Only Have Eyes For You (The Flamingos) Martina Topley-Bird
10 There Is A Lite That Never Goes Out (The Smiths) Joseph Arthur
11 Your Sweet Voice (Matthew Sweet) Milton Mapes
12 Use Me (Bill Withers) Jim White
13 Forever (Beach Boys) Dean Wareham
14 Inutil Paisagem (Jobim) Vinicius Cantuaria
15 A Nightingale Sang In berkeley Square (Inspired by the Manhattan Transfer's recording) Mindy Smith

I don't often write reviews but this album has been such an unique contribution to my musical life that I felt compelled to share it with the world :-). I have had this album for several years and yet it stays at the top of my most played songs. The music compiled here is musical -- real musicians singing real music - but also an eclectic collection of tunes. Who would think of doing a romantic cover of a Joy Division song? The Smith's cover - fantastic. Buckets of Rain by Neko Case - perfection. Highly recommended!

Bought this on a whim years ago
(I was already treating myself to an overpriced coffee-- why not a CD, too?)
I'm so glad I did. To my surprise, it was a gem, and has been in heavy rotation on my player for the past six years!

I'm not usually a fan of Rufus Wainwright's lazy, overblown vocal style, but his "My Funny Valentine" opened the album with a pleasant surprise. It is wonderful, one of the most tender renditions I've heard.

The mix is mellow overall, and while it makes nice background music for a low-key get together, it also rewards close listening.

All the covers on this album are at least interesting as experiments,
but several are really masterful, just gorgeous.
If you like the brief samples, you will certainly love the rest of it.

Bought this eclectic CD for the song "a nightingale sang in berkley square" I like this version the best of any that I have heard. Like other Starbuck's tapes, some of the cuts are great. Was told that the CD would be new, but in fact, it was used.

Of course taste is subjective, but I think there is so much outstanding music, both old and new. This assortment was a disappointment.