Customer Reviews

Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship

5 star:		(130)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

On the opening track to her new album, Testimony: Volume 1 Love and Relationships, India.Arie gently invokes the serenity prayer, "god grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." and asks God to give her the courage to love with an open heart. With those elegant words, beautifully sung, India.Arie enters on a one hour journey of healing, understanding, and reflection. Her musical style is parts jazz, blues, R&B, and her voice is the sparkle in the mix, bold where needed, gentle where appropriate, and always interesting,

Opening track These Eyes is a wonderful song with a great beat and chorus. A surprisingly good cover of Don Henley's Heart of the Matter follows. The uptempo word play of Private Party shows India.Arie celebrating her womanhood, "my body is beautiful, sacred, and im gonna celebrate it." I think we can all guess what kind of party that will be, but its more than that, its India realizing her strength in being a woman relies in her believing in herself, not being dependant on a man.

The track There's Hope has a great Fugees-like sound to it; a beat heavy mid-tempo track with a great vocal. Just a fun, fun track all around. India's Song is about shedding the baggage of hatred, and learning to live again, with some amazingly introspective lyrics. A cleverishly fun track is I Am Not My Hair, combining a fast fingered acoustic guitar with a beat heavy vocal. Probably my favorite track on the CD. Great is another exceptional track, but Better People is a discoish mess whose lyrics deserved better music.

The most touching pieces on the album are the three interludes titled, Living, Loving, and Learning. That is the message of this album, and this is India.Arie doing all three through her music, and its a lot of fun to listen to her journey. The record closes with a gorgeous track called This Too Shall Pass, and we are left with the desire to listen again, and delve further into this fascinating world India has created with Testimony Vol 1. Wonderful album and highly recommended.

A.G. Corwin
St.Louis, MO

Oh my GOODNESS,
What a POWERFUL, INSPIRATIONal, SPIRIT FILLED WORK OF ART. Congradulations to India........India........India!
What a collection of songs. I especially applaud Miss Arie for her dedication, staying grounded in her style and brand of music and not sacrificing her integrity to be get paid or be like the crowd. The work that was put into this project is very evident from the results of the product. All of the tracks are meaningful, have depth and extremely relative to the challenges we face in situations, love & relationships. I really can not put one track over the other because they are a complete package. THis is definately a collector's album. I will KEEP IT IN HEAVY ROTATION. ANYONE WHO DISSES THIS MUST NOT BE A REAL BRUTHA OR SISTAH. AND U KNOW WHAT I MEAN...........

From the second I heard her debut single, "Video," in 2001, I knew that I would be a fan for life. I didn't completely love either of her first CDs. Her debut was nice, but a few songs were iffy for me. Her second album felt a little rushed and seemed like a handful of great tracks tossed in with a bunch of filler material. And I could never stand her interludes, sorry to say. By no means did I not enjoy the CDs. I would probably give both four stars, but the point is... I had never been able to listen to one of her albums straight through, even though I love her. Until now, that is.

This album was so unexpected. It was one of the most pleasant surprises of the year for me. The whole thing is amazing. I listen to it straight through all the time, interludes and all! Her voice has improved so much; it has gained a new purity and is now smooth as butter. It glides over the tracks. The production is flawless. She has added a lot of other influences in the mix, including country and gospel. Her re-make of "Heart of the Matter" made me love the song, a small miracle in itself. I listen to "Wings of Forgiveness" every morning, as well as "I Choose" and "Better People."

To the many people claiming this is a "sell-out," I don't know what to tell you, but it's not. It's just not.

In short, this album is absolutely amazing. It is one of my favorites of all time! Each song is excellent, has a catchy melody, and delivers a great message. I demand that you buy this album. I cannot wait until Volume 2, Life & Politics. It's supposed to come out sometime this summer!

India.Arie did a great job when she came out in 2001 and delivered Acoustic Soul; in fact, she did such a great job that the album was nominated for a whopping seven Grammys. And seven Grammy nominations means you'll at least win ONE, right?

Well, as we all know, that's not the way it went down (she even performed on Saturday Night Live with a backwards 7 on her shirt). But the thing is, after she and her mother complained about how backwards the Grammys were, India quickly went into the studio to record Voyage to India, to which she scored three Grammys after all. I'm not saying that was a bad album, but to me it didn't stand out next to Acoustic Soul. After that she kind of disappeared, but she finally emerged with Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, her best album to date.

I listened to this entire album a few times and I couldn't find one song not worth rewinding. There is standout after standout, like "These Eyes", "Good Morning" and "India's Song". India also does a good job covering Don Henley's "The Heart of the Matter"; and even the necessary we-are-the-world song "Better People" sounds great.

And of course there are a few songs of empowerment on here, most notably "I Am Not My Hair" featuring Akon (one of those artists that seems to shine on every album except his own). Country superstars Rascal Flatts also impress on the acoustic "Summer" (but they're only singing background vocals, so I don't know if that should really count as a guest spot). At any rate, every song on here is damn good, so whether you want some great music to play for your friends or you want to follow track 5 and have your own private party, my testimony is to pick up India's latest album and never take it out of your stereo.

Anthony Rupert

This album is a positive account of love and life. It is uplifting in a very powerful way! Loving the skin you're in, taking pride in your hair...it's all good. She bids "Good morning to the harsh realities of life / Good morning to the fact we're not husband and wife" but ends the song with the epiphany "I know that God's will be done / It's a good morning after all."

"I Am Not My Hair", her autobiographical demand for respect based not upon her appearance but her soul within, is by far the BEST song on this album. "Better People" is another one of my favorites, which speaks out against de facto segregation not just because of race but because of age, sexual preference, or political party. "Private Party," "I Choose," "There's Hope," and "Great Grand Mother," are also great tracks.

Her unique voice and style of music is what makes her stand out amongst a sea of modern-day R&B singers. India.Arie is the rare artist on a mission to spread her ray of sunshine, even when the forecast calls for rain. Fans will be moderately please with this album. The cover of the album of her appearing colorful and soulfully free is a great touch because it greatly reflects on what you hear in this album.

Even as the first notes melt into your consciousness you may feel yourself taking a deep breath and relaxing into the mood. What a stunning start to a poetic album. "I want to love with an open heart," gives me shivers. The honesty of the lyrics and the beauty of India Aire's voice continues into the second song. I like her attitude and how she puts her foot down on conflict and stands up for herself. There is sadness but a sense of renewal.

Good Mourning sounds like a sleepy morning with a record playing in the background. It takes a while to take off and then gets downright sensual. She is working through feelings and you can feel her releasing the pain. "good morning independence or is it loneliness."

Like a dark night of the soul, her music explores a relationship that is falling apart. Did destiny get in the way or is she following her heart? Does she need pain as a muse to create her music? Like any true artist she seems to be creating even when in conflict.

In Wings of Forgiveness she admits she is still in love. Whatever will happen next? She seems to be awakening to her own inner knowledge. "You are only human..." She reaches such a beautiful poetic moment on the album. I like how she "makes peace with her complexity."

One of the most intellectual and emotionally satisfying poetic explorations within sound I've heard lately. She seems wise beyond her years and is open to learning from life's mistakes. Not only does this album have moments of soul stirring beauty, it is fun to listen to for the surprises and story that seems to flow through the songs.

~The Rebecca Review

I can't lie, I am more of a hip-hop head than a R&B guy, but I can't front this is a great album. I heard a song from this album playing in someone else's car one day when I was coming from work and had to get it just to see how it was and I love it. This is great chill music. India.Arie is a great artist and deserves alot more acclaim than she already gets from the poetry, jazz club, type of crowd that she normally receives it from. Great overall album.

If you have not picked up the new India.Arie CD you are missing a true blessing. India has managed once again to serve up a delightful, delicious, delectable dish of spiritual soup to sooth even the hardest of souls. She has made this album every the other two were and were not. How is it possible to keep topping herself? India has made it happen. I bought this CD on Friday June 30 and it hasn't left my CD player.

Starting with Intro: Loving, she transformed the Serenity Prayer into an inspirational prelude asking the Lord to "give her the courage to love with an open heart". Although it is only a minute and 29 seconds, it packs a punch that pierces straight to the soul and allows you to free the mind while touching the heart.

Track 2, These Eyes is a confession about how "these eyes never saw you leaving this heart". The instrumentation alone draws you in and makes you feel like you are in a love scene from James Bond. India's lyrics once again mesmerize the listener with her golden runs and buttery tones.

Track 3, The Heart of the Matter, is 5 minutes and 13 seconds of a made for tv movie in song. She releases her soul in this song by "learning to live without you now, but I miss you sometimes...the more I know the less I understand. All the things I thought I knew I am learning them again. I been tryin to get down to heart of the matter, but my will gets weak and my thoughts seem to scatter but I think its about forgiveness even if you don't love me anymore". Through her lyrical genius she tells a story while subtly giving advice about love and life. Preach on India!

Track 4, Good Morning, is a light and airy cut that makes you feel as if you are drifting on a cloud and India is the good angel serenading in your ear. It is a simple but complicated tune about realizing that a love wasn't meant to be. It is a familiar tale about unrequited love, however a sad undertone, it has a unique ability to make you feel good with its symphonic appeal and gentle guitar licks. "I know that God's will be done, so I lay down my pain and I am moving on. It's a good morning after all!"

Track 5, Private Party, serves up a celebratory song of "finding the joy inside of me". She says "I am having a private party aint nobody but me my angels and my guitar singing look how far we've come baby!". In this song she talks about inviting people to a party, but noone has time to come, so it ends up being just her, her angels, and her guitar. At this party she celebrates the woman that she has come to be. Her velvety voice helps you to feel where she is coming from whether you are a man or woman. When she sings happy birthday to me...you immediately sing along with her just because...!

Track 6, There's Hope, has a hard hitting hip hop beat, over which she pours out a smooth sermonic, lyrical hook that captures the attention while giving a inspiring word. "Theres hope it doesn't cost a thing to smile, you dont have to pay to laugh, you better thank God for that!!"

Track 7, Interlude: Living, is a sweet blend of instruments and India's voice as she teasingly sings "I wanna live with an open heart". It leaves you wanting more of just a little bit of her perfect riffs and adlibs.

Track 8, India's Song, is an angelic song where she gives a historical background of her people in Georgia, and how she wants to escape its racist past by "going to a place where the wind calls her name, a place where the mountains are high enough to echo her song, where the rivers run deep enough to drown her shame, where the stars shine bright enough to show her the way". This track definitely shows how profoundly deep this girl is.

Track 9, Wings of Forgiveness, has an anthem like quality and a catchy beat and hook. In this track she talks about how being human is just that. She speaks of people like Ghandi and Jesus and how they have forgiven others for persecution and crucifixion, surely she can stop being petty and "fly high on the wings of forgiveness"!

Track 10, Summer, is a bluegrass country ditty featuring Rascall Flatts, reknown country band. The banjo licks along with India's acoustic guitar send chills down your spine as she effortlessly sings about "waiting for another summer's day to bring you back my way". It probably won't be the most favorite cut on her album, but like the others she delivers a quality performance with her magical, hypnotic voice.

Track 11, I am Not My Hair, features Senagalese singer Akon. In this track they manage to capture the very essence of what it means to be more than your outer appearance. This song is a great throwback and sequel to "Video" on her first album. With this song, she elevates while motivating, something that we don't see enough in this new era of music. Keep doin' ya thang India.


Track 12, Great Grandmother, is a recording of India's great grandmother giving her some advice about her career. It is a touching to hear a 92 year old woman speaking with so much lucidity.


Track 13, Better People, is a nice upbeat tune with go-go stylings about how to become "better people all around"! On this track, India talks about the changing times and embracing it all while getting to know your brother. She sings "if Republican people would talk to Democratic People, it would make us diplomatic people all around"!

Track 14, Outro: Learning, is a melodic postlude that once again displays India's wondrous talent of inspire by inspiring through music. "The highest expression of love is to give without expecting, the highest expression of love is to accept without exception! I have so much to learn!!"

Track 15, I Choose, is a merge of blues and gospel. It wil have mass appeal for its musicality and India's innate ability to sing about life and the circumstances that surround choosing how to live it daily . "I choose to the best I can be. I choose to be aunthentic in everything I do. My past don't dictate who I am. I choose!"

Track 16, This Too Shall Pass, is a hidden track not featured on the cd jacket. In this song, India uses her low register and her falsetto to emulate the pain that she obviously felt while going through the things that compelled her to write this dirge like tune. She sings about the pain that can be felt no matter who or what you are or what you have. India delves into her spiritual background and sings fervently "Then I hear a whisper that this too shall pass, hear the angels whisper that this too shall pass, my ancestors whisper that this day will one day be the past, so I walk in faith that this too shall pass!" A choir comes to her aid and belts out "This too shall pass" as India ad libs. The songs ends poetically with a whisper.

This is one of India best, if not the absolute!!!! I agree with other reviewers when they say that she speaks to so many things in their lives. According to her passages in the cd cover, she has been through it, and it shows in her music. As a 30 year old male who is also growing and changing as life dictates, her music reminds me that there is hope and everything is temporal.

This cd is a positive account of love and life as opposed to one about how you can never live again without the last one you thought was the right one! It is uplifting in a very powerful way! I, too, have had it in heavy rotation since I left the music store at 10 am yesterday morning. I was hesitating to attend an India concert in West Palm Beach, FL this weekend (only due to the possibility of rain).
Now, there is no doubt, I will be there, rain or shine!

Go get this one! You won't regret it!

I love this woman! She is absolutely stunning, and that's regardless if she's rocking a bald head, short afro, or long locks. There's something about every aspect of her - inside out--that's so mesmerizing to me. Most importantly, she's able to remain grounded in the face of opposition. What do I mean by opposition? Simple: A society where people are often rejected, demoralized, and stigmatized if they don't fit the warped perception of beauty that's so prevalent today...A society where young and vulnerable girls and boys are heavily manufactured for mass appeal in the name of commercial profit.

This woman came out about 5 years ago and is still going strong. She has been able to stand on her own two feet and survive this ruthless industry. She didn't need countless collaborations with other "stars" to help her gain loyal fans. She doesn't need silly publicity stunts. She doesn't need pounds of make-up and a load of blonde European silky weave to sell. She doesn't need to bleach her beautiful cocoa skin or make her nose thinner. She's a chocolate skinned, petite woman with beautiful and natural hair and she's representing her womanhood, and most of all, her humanness...Something that we all, as human beings, can relate to. Her stuff isn't monotonous, as she touches on every aspect of life: from self-love to romance to spirituality to everything the average person struggles with on a daily basis.

While her music is very diverse, one thing she doesn't fail to emphasis is positivity and optimism: two things that are absolutely essential for human survival. And it tickles me how some "critics" have accused her of being "too preachy" or "too uplifting". Excuse me? These "critics" are the same ones praising the stale, bubble-gum garbage that's being disguised as music, and forced upon enlightened people as myself... Are these "critics" even able to recognize real music?

Positivity can never be too overrated as long as this world exists. After all, isn't that what music is all about? Or SHOULD be all about? Isn't music supposed to speak to the soul?

I won't carry on too much...(LOL!)... But no one can deny her talent. Her voice is superb. Her writings are genius. And while the Beyonce's and Britney's come and go, she's definitely here to stay. After years of superficial melodies, the young generation is finally starting to recognize and accept what real music is all about, thanks to Miss. India.Arie.

I'm sitting here typing up this review, while listening to her remake of Don Henley's "Heart of the matter", and I'm trying to stop myself from shedding a tear because her voice speaks to me. ((( I'm so glad she chose this song, as I am a huge fan of Don Henley and the Eagles...)))

Her fan base is 100% loyal. No heavy marketing or publicity campaigns. Those who recognize real music are immediately captured by her innate genuinity.

I love you, India.

PEACE