Time Together

Michael Franks | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 14, 2011
• Label: Shanachie
• Copyright: (C) 2020 Shanachie
• Total Length: 56:52
• Genres:
  • Jazz
• ASIN: B0052GWIAW
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,096 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 88 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just in time for summer! June 14, 2011

By Noah Wilson

Format:Audio CD

In my opinion, this is the best Michael Franks album since 1983's "Passionfruit." I am a twenty-something music enthusiast and over the years I've collected all of Michael's !SEVENTEEN! proper releases, most on vinyl, which is undoubtedly the best way to experience his music. By this point in his career, Michael should really be considered a legend in the jazz pop world. Alas, he is highly underrated. This is a shame because he is the "real deal." He continues to effortlessly blend jazz, pop, and world music with stunningly brilliant lyrics to great effect.

Michael is at his best when his complex melodic ideas are designed to slowly seep into your sub-conscious in such a way that one line like, "The lady wants to know..." triggers immediate auditory recall of that song's lyrics and melody. For me, the albums that do this best are Art of Tea, Sleeping Gypsy, Burchfield Nines, Tiger in the Rain, One Bad Habit, and Passionfruit. I intentionally organized those albums chronologically and omitted 1982's "Objects of Desire" which never quite clicked with me.

Let me be clear -- Michael Franks has never released a "bad" album. I just happen to prefer certain production and songwriting techniques that are present on his timeless '70s and early '80s albums. To be more specific, I feel that the '80s had a slightly adverse impact on some of Michael's output. This is particularly true with the albums "Skin Dive" and "Camera Never Lies." In anticipation of this album, I read almost all of the Amazon.com reviews of Michael's back catalog, and I seem to be in the minority here. But to me, "Skin Dive" and "Camera Never Lies" sound extremely dated because of the heavy use of compression, drum machines, and special effects. Yes, these albums include some brilliant compositions, but the brilliance is overshadowed by the '80s production. I have some reservations about the '90s albums for similar reasons, but mostly because the compositions seem to wander and the use of saxophone is too liberal for my aesthetic.

But I digress. "Time Together" is a modern masterpiece. I have listened to it at least twelve times and the songs are already ingrained in my musical memory. It is impossible to NOT memorize the clever/cute/insightful lyrics of "Mice" or the catchy chorus to "Now That The Summer's Here." Add some of Joe Sample's Fender Rhodes and "I'd Rather Be Happy Than Right" could have easily been included on "The Art of Tea." And the brilliance doesn't end there. "Charlie Chan in Egypt" and "My Heart Said Wow" offer up a formidable dose of jazz fare with unbelievably witty lyrics.

The production here is very clean and mostly organic (e.g. classical guitars, real drums/percussion, etc.). The one notable exception is "Summer In New York" which features electronic drums and synth patches. Fortunately, it also happens to be a flawless composition that is undeniably groovy. And the drum/keyboard programming doesn't obstruct the brilliance inherent in the tune. The tasty trumpet solo also helps create a perfectly laid-back atmosphere. Finally, "Time Together" features a number of bossa-nova songs that round out the album. I am a huge fan of Michael's Brazilian leanings, and, for me, "One Day In St. Tropez" and "Samba Blue" don't disappoint!

In summation, forget all of the fodder that radio stations will try to pass off as this year's "summer anthem." This is it. A perfect summer album. Grab a good book, an ice-cold lemonade, and enjoy. Thank you, Michael, for your veritable contributions to music...

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "You'll Enjoy Musical Time With Michael Franks". June 14, 2011

By M. Mariba TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Jazz vocalist Michael Franks has a new CD (11 tracks) release titled 'Time Together' : it's a well crafted album (great vocals, melody, piano, saxophone & well produced material/music. Stand-out track is "Now That The Summer Is Over" : wonderful guitar, vocals & melody. This is my favourite track from this CD. The remaining 10 tracks are all great jazz tracks with no weak tracks to talk of : they are "One Day In St. Tropez" (great piano, vocals & melody), "Summer In New York" (wonderful saxophone on 'strange sounds'), "Mice", "Charlie Chan In Egypt" (a slow track with great piano, saxophone & vocals), "I'd Rather Be Happy Than Right" (great guitar & vocals), "Time Together" (a slow title track with great guitar pick-ups, piano & vocals), "Samba Blue", "My Heart Said Wow", "If I Could Make September Stay" & "Feather From An Angel" (a slow closing track with great piano/bass combination). On overall, the talented jazz vocalist Michael Franks is back with a well crafted CD release 'Time Together', a highly recommended CD listening.

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Summer couldn't be better now that this CD is here June 14, 2011

By Ima Jazzoid

Format:Audio CD

Finally the wait is over, and our day is filled with this lyrical bliss by Michael Franks. Just surrender to the Tao of Franks' juicy, tangy and spicy melodies, rhymes and rhythms and allow yourself to be gifted with the ken of his unique, mysterious ministrations to passion and pain in poem song all dished up in a sensuous, summery selection to savor under the wisteria blossoms with a glass of good wine, your favorite cat in your lap, a well-tuned bio-receiver in your head, and your glad and broken heart. Michael Franks doesn't sell us music. He bewitches us as he somehow tunes us in to the very songs our own hearts and minds, if only they could, would sing all the day long "through this quicksand of time." He and his collaborators in song are, once again here with "Time Together", nothing short of impeccable. Now I have the perfect gift to buy for everyone I know. Thanks again Michael, et al. We once more face all the summer days at the lake, caught spellbound by your lovely magic.