Customer Reviews

The Way It Is

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

 

 

I was SHOCKED a few years back when I noticed this CD at Tower. It received no publicity (it's on an independent label) and was the only CD Valerie Carter had released since 1978! I thought she'd long ago given up on the biz. It's definitely more laid-back than her 70s records, with one smoker, "Who is He (and what is he to you)," sung with a soulful Lyle Lovett. Interestingly, the same song was covered by Maverick's Michelle Ngocello the same year. Valerie's is by far more rockin' in my opinion. Another classic cut is the gorgeous Tom Snow-penned, "When the Blues Come to Call," which just melts in your ears. A few of the covers are a little too folky for my taste and I wish Val would go back to her R&B roots more. The bonus surprise track at the end is a good, live-sounding jam version of Earth, Wind & Fire's "That's the Way of the World" sung with an ecstatic Phoebe Snow. Can't wait for the follow-up - which according to Valerie's website, should be out this fall or winter after her summer tour with James Taylor. Supposedly she has more stellar support guys on this one.

With her beautiful and soulful voice, Valerie Carter has produced another fine record. Only her third album since she emerged as one of Rolling Stone's best new artists of 1977, "The Way It Is" possesses some truly shining moments. The title track demonstrates clearly the wonderful vocal instrument she possesses. She tears up "Who Is She?" and shows her range on "Sea Of Stars". Despite the lack of a big production she might have received at a major label, Valerie makes the most of it with her unique and emotive delivery. A hidden track at the end, a cover of EWF's "Hearts On Fire", easily demonstrates the masterpiece of Carter's fine voice pairing her against an all-star ensemble and dueling vocals with Phoebe Snow. Major labels would be wise to sign the lady and give her the production and promotion she clearly deserves.

Valerie Carter is an amazing, innovative and interpretive singer. If you love powerful singing, this CD should join your collection because she is a classic. Sometimes her material is uneven but she makes anything sound soulful and stirring. If you don't have the older "Just a Stone's Throw Away," order that first. It is a gorgeous piece of work that has stood the test of time. I just wish she did more solo work.

Valerie Carter's gorgeous soprano has been missing from the recording scene for almost twenty years, so the release of her new CD "The Way It Is" is cause for celebration. However, it is a little disappointing to hear a singular voice like hers couched in some rather pedestrian arrangements of a few classic tunes that should have been a grand showcase for her gifts. Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" would seem to be a perfect song for Carter's plaintive style, but the surrounding accompaniment sounds as if the musicians were a little awed by the material and resort to playing a kind of wedding band arrangement that drains the life out of the song and the singer. Ditto Neil Young's "Birds" and Bill Withers' fabulous "Who is She and What Is She To You?" although everyone is redeemed by Carter's take on Tom Waits' "Whistle Down the Wind." The newer tunes by Carter, Tom Snow, and Jackson Browne, to name a few, are fine pieces but seem distinctly out of place against the aforementioned classics. Oddly, the album only works up a real sweat on the hidden track at the end, an all-star jam of Earth, Wind, and Fire's "That's the Way Of The World." To hear Valerie Carter stand toe to toe with Phoebe Snow, among others, gives a glimpse of what might have been. This is a fine collection, but fine is just not good enough when dealing with a class act like Valerie Carter.

an absolutely WONDERFUL album. screw the concepts about what the variant recordings could have/should have been, her voice is amazing (as always), her interpretations perfect. her version of 'love needs a heart' makes jackson's rather moot. i simply love her tune 'amen' and think her 'interpretations' of the tunes she didn't write (or co-write) to be outstanding. so, valerie, run away with me? i deserve it. . .

Not to say the other songs aren't great; Valerie is in good voice and chose great songs. That particular one, however (Into The Mystic) happens to be one of my favorite Van Morrison songs, and Valerie's cover puts a completely different spin on the tune: instead of rock n roll bass notes, it is a bluesy adventure, and her honey soaked voice just makes it that much better.

Just a note, the Wallflowers (as in Jakob Dylan and...) also covered Into The Mystic; their version is far closer to Van Morrison's original in content and form.

I most recently heard the name Valerie Carter when James Taylor was introducing his backup singers a couple of years ago. The nostalgia hit me on that perfect Carolina night like a lightning bolt. The very next weekend I listened to "Just a Stone's Throw Away" at least 4 times. This disc ("The Way It Is")was an unknown to me until I was just goofing on Amazon a couple of months ago. I do remember "Wild Child" in my vinyl days. It was a slight disappointment at the time. Regardless, I took a leap and picked this one up. Is it great? Yes it is. BUT, don't buy this one until AFTER you have bought "Just a Stone's Throw Away." Kinda like saying, "Don't buy "Wish You Were Here" until after you have bought "Dark Side of the Moon." You'll love them both. A great journey down memory lane.