Customer Reviews

This Time

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the beginning of wider exposure for Al who was much too good to be obscure for so long. With a voice that can bend and soar then suddenly rattle the floor boards. Al had to this point been below the radar of many while lesser singers got exposure.

With this recording you have some very good songs, some okay songs but Al is so good that he transcends the okay songs and makes them better by his sheer inventiveness and embellishments. He utilizes that instinctive sense for improvisation and unique vocalizations. Al has this uncanny ability of stretching words while simultaneously implying instruments other than the human voice. He doesn't just imitate instruments, he draws this correllary between the voice and instrument where a word implies a percussive beat or the refrain of from a guitar bending a note.

In the midst of all this he maintains this soulfulness, a funkiness and emotional accessibility. Don't just take some of this stuff for granted, listen closely.

He also conveys that he's having a blast. There is no one more exhuberant that Al Jarreau. He was 42 when he did this although that number meant nothing. He had the spirit of a 22 year old with the musical knowledge of his years.

On top of all this he has a first rate band here and a first rate producer in Jay Graedon. Tom Canning is particularly inspired and inventive throughout. Steve Gadd is here also, as is Graedon on both guitars and keyboard. The interplay is, to ears, spectacular. They play off each other beautifully. On the up pieces, the energy level is high.

"Spain" is as good a version of the Chick Corea classic as you will find. Here Al is at the height of his power, with a rapid fire delivery on the lyrics he wrote. With scatting that matches the propulsiveness of Gadd's drumming. Al range is on exhibit here and he just nails this piece and transform it.

"Distracted" is a funky and it grooves. Again, the sheer cleverness of both Al's take and use of words. The way that shift between fluid and staccato. The percussive consonants.

"Give Me What You Got" is another high point. Makes use of R&B sensibilities with nice harmonies.

And then we come to a piece of such stark beauty that to this day some 20 something years later, I am still taken aback. "Alonzo". "Alonzo" alone is worth the price of this recording. "Alonzo" is simply one of the best things Al has ever done. He makes use of his amazing voice in so many ways in a haunting piece which features Al emulating a flute flawlessly and then at the end conveying a sense of wonder and a sort of mystical wonder.

He was and contiues to be amazing. If it were any other singer doing these songs it might be 3 stars but Al and this band created a five star recording.

This timeless album shows Al Jarreau at his greatest. If you're not sure which Al Jarreau album to buy, start with this one. You will not be disappointed. My favorite song on this album has always been "Alonzo", with "Gimme What You Got" close behind. The entire album is great. You'll enjoy it. Don't pass on this one.

I had 33 LP record for this. I used to play the record over and over. I went to AL Jarreau concert recently. It was such a great concert that I wanted to buy CD. This CD is not popular like his "Breaking Away", but this contains Al's masterpieces. My favorite song is "Spain". I feel the passion of Al Jarreau toward music in this CD. Al on stage is as good as before or even better. This CD is my favorite as well as "Breaking Away" of Al.

this is the very very first record of al jarreau that i purchased way back in 1980. no cds yet. only vinyl records during those times.all the songs in this album are great. YOUR SWEET LOVE, NEVER GIVIN UP, THIS TIME & SPAIN are my all time favorites. true fans of al should have this great album in there al jarreau record collection. after writing this review, il order the cd copy right away. so what are you waiting for??!! order yours now. you wont regret it.promise

I was 16 when I first listended to this album. I loved it then and I still love it. You'll never get tired of the songs, and as one of the previous reviewers mentioned, there are no throwaway songs. Each piece is distinctly individual. This is an album for anyone who enjoys great jazz vocals and mesmerizing music. If you are thinking about getting an Al Jarreau album, I would highly recommend this one first, then "Jarreau" and "Breaking Away."

This is a must-have if you're a real Jarreau fan. Wonderful music. The slew of Grammys didn't come until a year or two later when Al came out with Breaking Away but This Time might have been even better. You will be uplifted by this CD. Get it.

I purchased this on vinyl when it first came out and practically wore the grooves out. During a relocation the movers ripped me off for it and my entire album collection (yeah, I know....sucks to be me). I am in the process of rebuilding my collection. I started w/the discs that are timeless. For timelessness, this record rates an A+. It is simply a great collection of songs showcasing the great imagination and interpretive abilities of Al Jarreau blended against a backdrop of wonderful music. There isn't a throwaway song on it. I particularly love the title track. It has a one of the prettiest guitar solos I've ever heard. The music on this album is a lot bigger and high minded than a lot of his other records but without being too ostentatious. It is very well composed from start to finish. His newest disc (tomorrow, today) is also great, and I enjoy it immensely, but this one is the best (in my opinion) of all. I had many of his earlier records but this is the 1st one that I am replacing. If you get just one, get this one.

Just a shout out to get this album on digital download. From the heyday of Jarreau's golden era this album is full of great singing and some real gems in the Jarreau catalog. "Never Giving Up" is one of those optimistic songs that Al specializes in and his version of "Spain" is my favorite rendition of all time.

Every song is amazing; expertly produced, written and performed. High Crime was also very good, but this one is tops. The song "Spain" is a masterpiece!

Along with Breaking Away and Heaven & Earth, This Time is one of the Best that I have heard from Al. So far I have collected 7 of his cd's and This Time is one of my favorites. I searched Hi & Lo to find it and I am thrilled that I did.