Customer Reviews

Twisted Desire

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of the best moments in my music history is my hearing a jazzy group who did a brassy version of ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man." Since hearing this version, I'll take this over the original anyday. I was not only turned by the rendition of this particular song, but the others on the album. The arrangements, instrumentation, rhythm, and sensually-voiced female vocalist was my introduction to 8 1/2 Souvenirs.

"L'Amour Toujours" gets a French flavor with Justin Sherburn's accordion, while "Eva Luna," with its backing violin, leans towards a Spanish sound. "Dancin'" could have belonged on "Happy Feet" with Olivier Giraud's vocals, the intense rhythm guitar, and horn arrangement.

The difference between this album and Happy Feet is that there are slower numbers to offset the upbeat ones. Of those, the forlorn "Lonely In Love" is a showcase for Chrysta's voice, accompanied by a guitar, violin, and drum. Following that is the jamming "Life Style." As lyrics in the chorus say, "It's all about laugh and cry/It's all about getting high/life is giving me the eye." Also, most of the songs are in English as opposed to the diversity in Happy Feet.

"My Baby" sounds like something Steve Winwood might have done on his Roll With It album, except with a strong horn arrangement.

The other three upbeat numbers are "The Rhythm Is Magic," with its Latin flavouring and Spanish lyrics, "Under Your Skin," and "Yes, Yes, Yes," which like "Life Style," could inject life to any dull party.

Olivier Giraud has one song as vocalist, but overall, this could be considered a Chrysta Bell solo album. A lot more Chrysta is gold to the ears, and in that aspect, it is 24-carat. If Sade sang a register higher and much quicker, that might result in Chrysta Bell.

Here's hoping that the souvenir count next time equals 34 (8 1/2 times 4 albums). I can only speak for the 1st album and this one, but so far, I've struck gold with this group.

I've been so hungry for new stuff from 81/2 Souvenirs since Happy Feet and then in July seeing them at the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Jazz Festival. This CD filled in the gaps for me because I didn't know about the band before Montreal. The band is surely evolving in a positive direction and I thoroughly enjoy the two CDs even though in a lot of respects they a somewhat different. Please, oh please, put out a live album....they are the most exciting band on stage. Don't miss them!!

The band cooks but the players don't appear to be as accomplished as past band members. It may be the band has not played together long enough. The music which differs from their previous styles is very good, but is found played by many "dime a dozen band." Still, a cd worth buying.

True fans of 81/2 will love the continued evolution of what many believe will be one of the top bands to emerge in the year 2000. It is true the overall direction of the music has changed from the swing days of "Happy Feet" and "Souvonica". The Souvenirs "swang" well, (and surely still will in live performance) but it was time to move on. The "Twisted Desire" songs are about living life on the dramatic, passionate edge. The music spectrum runs from a saucily sung, horn driven re-creation of ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" to the curiously delicious french/english song "Dancin'" which features Olivier and Chrysta Bell. (Both songs are perfect for swing dancers, by the way.) I cannot get enough of this CD! Chrysta Bell's vocal style is generous, personal, and captivating, and the musicianship of the band is amazing.

I have listened to this CD over and over and each time find some thing new and different to love about it. I love the albums multilingual sound. The mood of the album strikes me as a small smokey cafe. I love this CD.

I'll admit it... I was indeed spoiled by Happy Feet - and so were the countless people I shared it with - youngsters and geezers alike. That was a unique sound: good lyrics, classic compositions, and an excellent lead of piano and guitar. What happened on Twisted Desire? Hey, Souvenirs -- Happy Feet worked! The tunes, the vocals, everything! (What'd you do with Gill? We miss him. He covered every potentially dead spot.) Anyway, Twisted Desire? I think I was the first to get it, and I'm probably out of line, but to me, it's like every track is a score from a South American "B" movie. C'mon guys... bring back those 40's-type classics. Bring back Glover Gill; and Olivier - get your voice back in the fray... Chrysta's great, but hey, she doesn't need to dominate every tune. Go back and listen to Happy Feet - then Twisted Desire. It ain't too hard to figure out.

Chrysta Bell has a beautiful voice that shines in this album.

This album has a wonderful European style. If you want some upbeat easy listening, this is it. My favorite song is "Lonely in Love."

If you are looking for more swing music I would not pass up "Happy Feet" (there previous album).

Be sure to listen to the music samples. You won't be able to resist.

Although there album is magnificent, nothing can beat seeing 1/8 Souvenirs live.

I've had the CD for weeks now and still listen to it over and over and over again. Until I got this CD, I was an NPR addict (National Public Radio). I did not listen to music, only "talk radio." Well, not anymore -- I don't think I could ever get tired of this upbeat music and the crystal sound of the lead singer's voice.

All I have to say about twisted desire is that FINALLY THERE IS SOMETHING NEW AND REFRESHING BACK ON THE MUSIC SCENE

I've been a "Souvenir" fan from the time they startedplaying at the Continental Club with their three piece band. HappyFeet is one of the best albums recorded in recent years and will be hard to beat. I found it hard to listen to this album and enjoy,at first, because it was not the classic swing that I had come to expect from this band. Then I listened to it twice and it sounded better and then a third time I loved it!!!