Customer Reviews

Visions of Love

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I quite enjoy Jim Brickman's piano work which generally has a light new age texture to it. But this CD unfortunately has little of his piano playing, no new age flavor, but for me is mostly bland, over mellow pop. I loved the Janis Ian and Partners In Crime, and after hearing them a few times, grew to enjoy Anne Cochran's "After All These Years," Larry Stewart's "Still In Love," Colin Raye & Susan Ashton's "The Gift", Peabo Bryson's "My Heart Belongs to You," and Stephen Bishop's "We Live For Love," but even with two outstanding cuts and five enjoyable ones, this CD just doesn't have enough of what I as a Jim Brickman fan am looking for.
The bottom line is that new age fans and fans of his earlier albums with more solo work are liable to be quite disappointed in this CD. Those who enjoy the particular artists represented will probably enjoy it.

This disk is for anyone who has been deeply in love, with all of it's highly charged emotions, as well as the downside of a relationship; the break-up. After All These Years (Anne Cochran), Your Love (Michelle Wright), Getting Over You (Janis Ian), and The Gift (Collin Raye/Susan Ashton) were among my favorites, not only for the body of their lyrics, but also the vocals of the varied artists. Very sensitive and moving. I applaude Jim Brickman for his collaboration of artists and content. I attended a Brickman concert in Boston with Anne Cochran accompanying him; a very delightful evening to say the least.

Jim Brickman has put together an awesome album of varied artists, showcasing their talents as well as his own proclivity for romantic ballads. My favorites are "Your Love" for it's engaging melody and heartwarming lyrics as well as "Partners in Crime", a catchy, cheer-inducing tune that can't help but make you smile. Other songs of note are the duet by Ingram and Harris "Like Love", a silky smooth combo and Peabo Bryson's "My Heart Belongs to You" which shows his resonant voice to perfection. The rest of the album is quite good as well, growing more enjoyable with each listen.

I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a feel-good album!!

I was initally disappointed with the album when I first heard it, but after listening to it fully I found it extreamly enjoyable. Keep in mind that Jim Brickman produced the songs and did not necessarily write them. If you are looking for just Jim Brickman solos, you should probably look at his other great albums. However, if you are looking for songs that are romantic with just a touch of Jim, then I believe you will like this album.

Jim Brickman, piano player, lyricist, and composer, burst onto the mainstream music scene some in 1997, with the release of Valentine a duet of sorts with C&W diva Martina McBride. The single appeared on her 1997 Evolution CD and Brickman's 1997 album Picture This Brickman's first real commercially successful release. Valentine was followed quickly by The Gift with Colin Raye and Susan Ashton, released in late 1997 from the CD of the same name. The song became an instant hit.

On both of these excellent albums Brickman--whose All-American good looks have capture many a woman' hopeful eye--had remained true to his musical roots. That is to say that he played his piano with little vocal accompaniment. Not so with his 1998 release "Visions of Love." From start to finish every track save one, feature a different vocalist, in an album designed for lovers, would be lovers, and close friends. This is what Brickman had to say on the CD cover:

"I've joined some of my friends for this collection of all new romantic favorites, featuring some of the most beautiful melodies and ballads that are sure to break your heart or mend it. Fall in love all over again and enjoy."

As I remember correctly the critics, and even some die heart fans, were less than kind in their reviews of this CD, berating Brickman' efforts and admonishing him to return to his instrumental root, and do so quickly.

I disagree and personally loved the album. Being a true hopeless romantic I embraced the songs on this album and have spent long hours in the car driving to and from work listening to it's beautifully written and performed ballads (in most cases). This is an album to eat a candlelight dinner to, or sit upon the edge of the ocean and watch as the moon slips from the seas embrace, casting warm light upon you and your partner, as the warm surf washes your feet free of sand. Quiet conversation and a gentle breeze, strawberries and whipped cream, light touches and making love, are the activities this album this CD meant compliment.

While some of the vocal performers--David Grow, and Stephen Bishop, come immediately to mind, should never have been allowed to, well, sing, the ballads they perform, That's What I'm Here For (track No. 1), and We Live For Love (track No. 12) are powerful love songs and pleasant to listen to, despite the sub-par vocals. Track No. 2 After All These Years with vocals by Ann Cochran, should speak to those who know the love, commitment, sharing, and respect that come with a relationship that endures years of life and still burns brightly.

Track No. 3 One Heart One Love featuring the vocals of Phil Berry, is a smooth, slow burning ballad, made so by the voice of a true balladeer, while track No.8 Getting over You with vocals by Janis Ian turned out to be my favorite track on this CD. Voice, guitar and then violin join to bring the listener a harmonic, respectful, soul-searching ballad of love lost and a woman and man cast adrift after a relationship ends. The lyrics tell the story:

Track No. 11 My Heart Belongs To You written and performed by Peabo Bryson needs little review by this man. Just the mention of his name invokes romantic visions. His performance as always is flawless, beautiful, and exacting.

If you don't already own "Visions of Love" buy it, critics be damned!

I don't mind some singing on a Jim Brickman album, I even think that he can do a decent job himself, but all 12 selections having it is too much for me. 12 selections with 12 singers, too many of them even manage to drown out the music- #4 "Still in Love" by Larry Stewart does allow you to hear that piano which is what I want a Brickman album for.

I set out looking for the Peabo Bryson "My Heart Belongs to You" cut. It is not on any of his works. I enjoy this CD more each time I play it. To me, the choice of which songs to include, come from a true romantic. I'm now looking for another I recently heard on the radio, by Michael W. Smith and Jim Brickman called "You are the Love of My Life". If its on Jim's new CD I certainly will own it.

This is a marked departure from other albums by Brickman. It mixes vocals with the beautiful instramental sytle Brickman is known for. Thoroughly enjoyable to listen to time and time again. I would love to see him in concert in Spokane, Washington!

I listened to the entire "Visions Of Love" CD and I found that "Like Love" was the stand out track on the CD. You get the feeling that this is a couple that is sharing time together but they do not love each other entirely so it feels "Like Love". It has a lot of appeal and is so true to life. It was definitely the "stand out" track on the etrire CD. I love the Marilyn Harris/Phillip Ingram duo. Musically, they are a match made in heaven. The rest of the CD was very good also and provided me with musical listening pleasure from start to finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Visions of Love" and many of the songs are destined to be romantic classics. My favorite song is "Like Love"-- superb lyrics, vocals and music!