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Track Listings
| 1. The Bravest Man In The Universe |
| 2. Please Forgive My Heart |
| 3. Deep River |
| 4. Dayglo Reflection |
| 5. Sweet Baby Mine |
| 6. Stupid |
| 7. If There Wasn't Something There |
| 8. Love Is Gonna Lift You Up |
| 9. Nothin' Can Save Ya |
| 10. Jubilee (Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around) |
Editorial Reviews
The Bravest Man In The Universe is Bobby Womack's first album of original material since 1994's Resurrection. Co-produced by Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur) and Richard Russell, the album was recorded at Albarn's Studio 13 in West London and New York's Manhattan Center between October and December 2011. The album features guest vocalist Lana Del Rey on the song, Dayglo Reflection . Bobby Womack's musical career has spanned 50+ years during which time he has written songs recorded by The Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, Janis Joplin (to name a few) and has played on sessions for Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Dusty Springfield and more. Nicknamed The Preacher and The Poet , Bobby Womack's work has topped the singles charts many times over and his collaborations with artists from Patti Labelle to Mos Def to Gorillaz to The Rolling Stones showcase a legend who has and continues to influence musicians across genres. Bobby Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Every now and then, an album will come out that leaves people scratching their heads wondering how it even got made: Bobby Womack's THE BRAVEST MAN IN THE UNIVERSE is such an album. Produced by Richard Russell and Damon Albarn (of Gorillaz and Blur fame), this release is laden with electronic rhythms, synthesizers, and keyboards. The ingredients should sound strange: a 68-year old 70's R&B legend, creating a new album (his first in over a decade), produced by one of the guys behind Blur's Britpop. The result however, is just as puzzling as its ingredients: it's fantastic.
In the middle of the album, the track "Dayglo Reflection" starts with a quote by Sam Cooke: "as a singer grows older, his conception grows a little deeper, because he lives life and he understands what he is trying to say a little more." This singular sentence sums up everything THE BRAVEST MAN IN THE UNIVERSE represents. Bobby Womack sounds just as comfortable here as he does in any of his previous releases. The juxtaposition of Womack's soulful croon and the album's electronic vibe works well and is rarely distracting. Rather than sounding anachronistic or dated, Womack sounds fresh and comfortable; if Tricky (circa Maxinquaye) grew up listening to gospel records, the results would be this.
The album begins with Womack nearly shouting "The bravest man in the universe is the one who has forgiven first." This introduction quickly slides into pounding, dark electronic synthesizers; it quickly pulls the listener in. This title track is followed by "Please Forgive My Heart," and by this point, it becomes obvious that this album isn't just a gimmick - it's earnest and sincere. "Dayglo Reflection" offers a thoughtful duet between Womack and Lana Del Ray. "Love is Gonna Lift You Up" is an infectious gospel-influenced track that can't help but radiate its optimism. The album ends on the stomping "Jubilee," which is a stark contrast from the mellow and dark opening track. It works well though, and it ends the album on an optimistic view of the future.
Fans of Massive Attack, Marvin Gaye, Portishead, and Gorillaz's THE FALL will find a lot to love here. THE BRAVEST MAN IN THE UNIVERSE is satisfying for longtime fans and for new listeners alike. Standout tracks include: "If There Wasn't Something There," "Bravest Man in the Universe," and "Love is Gonna to Life You Up."
In the middle of the album, the track "Dayglo Reflection" starts with a quote by Sam Cooke: "as a singer grows older, his conception grows a little deeper, because he lives life and he understands what he is trying to say a little more." This singular sentence sums up everything THE BRAVEST MAN IN THE UNIVERSE represents. Bobby Womack sounds just as comfortable here as he does in any of his previous releases. The juxtaposition of Womack's soulful croon and the album's electronic vibe works well and is rarely distracting. Rather than sounding anachronistic or dated, Womack sounds fresh and comfortable; if Tricky (circa Maxinquaye) grew up listening to gospel records, the results would be this.
The album begins with Womack nearly shouting "The bravest man in the universe is the one who has forgiven first." This introduction quickly slides into pounding, dark electronic synthesizers; it quickly pulls the listener in. This title track is followed by "Please Forgive My Heart," and by this point, it becomes obvious that this album isn't just a gimmick - it's earnest and sincere. "Dayglo Reflection" offers a thoughtful duet between Womack and Lana Del Ray. "Love is Gonna Lift You Up" is an infectious gospel-influenced track that can't help but radiate its optimism. The album ends on the stomping "Jubilee," which is a stark contrast from the mellow and dark opening track. It works well though, and it ends the album on an optimistic view of the future.
Fans of Massive Attack, Marvin Gaye, Portishead, and Gorillaz's THE FALL will find a lot to love here. THE BRAVEST MAN IN THE UNIVERSE is satisfying for longtime fans and for new listeners alike. Standout tracks include: "If There Wasn't Something There," "Bravest Man in the Universe," and "Love is Gonna to Life You Up."
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Soul maestro Bobby Womack was last heard on the Gorillaz "Plastic Beach" and "The Fall" albums. "Bravest Man In The Universe" is his first album of new material in 18 years and is produced by Damon Albarn and Richard Russell (the latter who also worked magic with Gil Scott-Heron on his last album "I'm New Here").
Largely eschewing seventies-style strings, horns and Womack's guitar work for synths and electro beats, the results are never less than spectacular, from the spare booming title track ("The bravest man in the universe, is the one who has forgiven first"), to the piano-driven "Please Forgive My Heart" set to twitchy Timbaland-style beats and with a lovely Acoustic coda.
"Deep River" is acoustic Blues/Folk/Soul, "Dayglo Reflection" features a deadpan Lana Del Ray perfectly contrasting a raspy Womack and is a dreamy song with skittery/cluttery beats, hypnotic strings, and stabs of bass.
Every song stands out; the spare harrowing Trip Hop-ish "Whatever Happened To The Times", a spoken sample of Gil Scott-Heron appears on the interlude "Stupid Introlude" which segues into the catchy "Stupid" with twinkly piano, sketchy bass, and lyrics about false preachers.
Womack is on stellar form vocally throughout, soulful and authoritative. "If There Wasn't Something There" is Hip Hop/Soul, the euphoric "Love Is Gonna Lift You Up" takes you to Church, the lush quivery Jazzy "Nothin' Can Save Ya" features African songstress Fatoumata Diawara" (she appeared on Albarn's "Rocket Juice & Moon" project), while closing is "Jubilee", a Gospel style spoken/sung/chant with electro martial beats.
Womack sounds perfectly at home sitting atop these 21st Century grooves. Marvelous!
Largely eschewing seventies-style strings, horns and Womack's guitar work for synths and electro beats, the results are never less than spectacular, from the spare booming title track ("The bravest man in the universe, is the one who has forgiven first"), to the piano-driven "Please Forgive My Heart" set to twitchy Timbaland-style beats and with a lovely Acoustic coda.
"Deep River" is acoustic Blues/Folk/Soul, "Dayglo Reflection" features a deadpan Lana Del Ray perfectly contrasting a raspy Womack and is a dreamy song with skittery/cluttery beats, hypnotic strings, and stabs of bass.
Every song stands out; the spare harrowing Trip Hop-ish "Whatever Happened To The Times", a spoken sample of Gil Scott-Heron appears on the interlude "Stupid Introlude" which segues into the catchy "Stupid" with twinkly piano, sketchy bass, and lyrics about false preachers.
Womack is on stellar form vocally throughout, soulful and authoritative. "If There Wasn't Something There" is Hip Hop/Soul, the euphoric "Love Is Gonna Lift You Up" takes you to Church, the lush quivery Jazzy "Nothin' Can Save Ya" features African songstress Fatoumata Diawara" (she appeared on Albarn's "Rocket Juice & Moon" project), while closing is "Jubilee", a Gospel style spoken/sung/chant with electro martial beats.
Womack sounds perfectly at home sitting atop these 21st Century grooves. Marvelous!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Music
I was a bit skeptical when buying this CD and I was ready to be disappointed by many of the tracks, but to my surprise THERE IS NOT A SINGLE BAD TRACK on the album. I cannot say this about many cds but this is truely a masterpiece. Any fan of Bobby Womack or Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz, The Good the Bad and the Queen) should add this to their collection immediately.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
If you really love Bobby, you will feel this album
I was very pleased with what will likely be Bobby's last attempt at recording. He is truly a great talent who has given us so much great music that I will always enjoy. Read more
Published 1 month ago by titikay
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bobby Womack misses opportunity to please his fans
I am a huge Bobby Womack Fan and was dissapointed with his new release The bravest man in the universe. It did not click with me. Read more
Published 1 month ago by jake
1.0 out of 5 stars
social security
BW is an all time great, I hope he gets paid. This is not anywhere near his extremely high standard. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ready writer
5.0 out of 5 stars
excelente
excelente album llego en tiempo no hubo necesidad de reportarlo, con un buen embalaje, todo llego muy bien una exceletne compra que definitivamente recomiendo
Published 2 months ago by joseline
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Pleasant Surprise
The Bravest Man in The Universe is a surprisingly good new Bobby Womack product. This mixture of classic R&B sounds with the production values of today really works on many levels. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rabbit Warren
5.0 out of 5 stars
B.Wormack
I love blues......Bobby Wormack CD is the greatest . I want to buy more blues . I also like Johnny Taylor and Ronnie Lovejoy
Published 3 months ago by marilyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Bravest Man in the Universe
Bobby Womack is my favorite artist. When I heard he was sick, I immediate purchase this product because this is latest release.
Published 3 months ago by Annie P. Buckley
2.0 out of 5 stars
Bobby Womack
I am so sorry he made this one. Of course he is not the singer he used to be but this was just terrible.
Published 4 months ago by jazz
3.0 out of 5 stars
Average
I was expecting more, given that it was on the list of top 10 albums of the year. But it seems quite run-of-the-mill to me. Not bad, but not great either.
Published 4 months ago by Vikneswaran Gopal
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Bravest Man In The Universe
The songs included on this great CD are pure magic. Bobby Womack at his best...yes! He sings r & b music like noone else today. A must own...if u enjoy great soul music. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Matti Kniva Spencer
