Customer Reviews

We Got By

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The album is the real soul of Al Jarreau. This is the artist, his own songs and his voice, right out of the gate, uninfluenced by success, record label pressure and pop/r&b stardom. Less structured, more melodically varied and definitely more jazz oriented, this is my favorite Jarreau CD. Because it is less commercial, it's sound to me is more timeless and doesn't suffer from sound "dating" that charactarizes some of his other work. This one could have been recorded last year and if it was, would be praised by critcs as a return to his jazz/blues/gospel roots. Authentic, sincere and soulful, I enjoy this album as much or more than I did 20 plus years ago. It's a great one to own and a great bargin at this price.

This album started his career and even after some 25 years it still sounds very fresh. It is his most jazz oriented album, which makes it stand out comparing to his later more slick pop oriented records. His singing is more intense here than on the later albums and the sequence of songs is a perfect balance of uptempo and ballad pieces. IndispensabAL!

I bought this album when it was released in 1975 and bought it when it came out on CD. Song intitled "Susan" is in a word, comfort. I close my eyes and see him singing. I start to float listening. "We Got By" is so understanding. It feels good. I love this album. I just put it on and let it go. My favorite.

I bought this album when I was introduced to his music by a friend, I've never looked backed since. I bought all his albums, but as far as I am concerned no album matches this one. It still remains the best of all his work. Its rhythmic, jazzy, moody and absolutely superb!!! BUY IT. Don't miss the chance to see him live in concert, as I have done several times when he was here in London.

This CD is pure Jarreau - entirely his work - I have the vinyl and now this CD -- never get tired of it -- beautiful, infectious, timeless and from the heart.

When this album came out, Al's creative force through soulful words and sounds, saved me from many rocky situations and inspired me to work through melancholy. By way of this album (We Got By) Al reeled me in, imploring me to remember that struggling does not mean despair. I hope you will find comfort and healing here, listening to this annointed singer.

Al Jarreau remains one of my earth angels. If I could look him in his eyes and tell him this I would: I love you Al Jarreau.

For anyone out there who thinks of Al Jarreau only as that wonderful voice behind hits such as "We're In This Love Together" and as a purveyor of Jay Graydon style urban jazz-pop this album would be a really good place to begin to get a second opinion. And that's pretty fitting because this is the mans first major album-he had a few indie releases in the 60's before this. Starting his career a bit late-he was in his early 30's at this time he was sure making up for any lost time by really kicking it on this album in every respect. Al wrote all of the songs on this album and presented stories throughout that tell genuinely beautiful tales of love and "getting by" in life. The lyrics are sometimes poignant,sometimes humorous and often enough illustrated not merely by the choice of words but by Al's vocal intonations themselves. The man could (and still can) sing his face off and here takes every occasion to excersise his impressive,flamboyant turns and....well very individual style of vocalese. The tunes "Spirit","You Don't See Me","Letter Perfect" and the fantastic "Sweet Potato Pie" and "Raggedy Ann" showcase Al working his way through a series of shinning "united funk" era jazz-funk tunes with some basslines and horns you would'nt believe outside of JB or Sly Stone. Even though funk is only part of this diverse package what he does present here in that style is absolutely breathtaking. Songs such as the title song,"Lock All The Gates","Susan's Song" and "Aladdin's Lamp" have Jarreau backed by little more than piano in this somewhat darkly spiritual and meaningful style,well suited to the lyrics he's singing that are some of the best examples of this style outside what Laura Nyro had been doing a few years earlier. Even if later on his music became much softer and he had a slight tendency to over sing in places pretty much anything Al Jarreau recorded from this point up to the mid 80's was very strong and usually excellent. At the same time this is one of his only album where everything flows as a vital musical statement with a message to enrich and enlighten anyone listening and stands as an important testament to the many talents of Al Jarreau.

3 1/2


One of few male singers who is capable of carrying momentum solely based on vocal prowess (if occasionally strained or over-sung for individually modified lines), these warmly accessible (partially pandering) songs didn't hurt Jarreau's chances at creating a seismic sophomore.

Very good sound and service for the money.



Thank you !!!
Roper