Whatever It Takes

Sandra Bernhard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mi5
• ASIN: B002HMHXIG
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,469 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Avoid This...Whatever It Takes, September 19, 2009

By 

J. Jenkins "Opinionated One!" (Near Washington DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Whatever It Takes (Audio CD)

I love me some Sandra Bernhard--I saw WITHOUT YOU, I'M NOTHING ten times between the live show and the film. And I'm one of the world's most devoted Chrissie Hynde fans. So imagine the shift from excitement to dread while trying to listen to this CD. Bernhard does not possess the lovliest of voices, but her confidence and physicality never fail to capture you when you see her live. She's funny, edgy and totally in command on stage. And therein is where the problem exists. Remove her stage presence and what you have left is a voice that doesn't sound all that captivating. The writing on this CD is lamentably bad. Bernhard's bits of self-indulgence on stage are funny because you know she's winking you in on the joke. Here, there's no eye contact and some of the lyrics just come off as truly Tyra Banks-ish in terms of the diva's self worth. Even Chrissie Hynde, the greatest rocker EVER, fails to ignite the proceedings and that's how the album starts! Her attempts at world music lack the conviction of the style she's emulating. It's as if all the budget went into the cover photo and all the creativity got left on the floor. Had Bernhard been allowed to interject some of her stinging comedy into the mix, this CD could have had a bit of life kicked into it. Anyone new to Bernhard's work will find this selection tedious, tired and most likely will never ever care to hear from her again. For anynoe who studies music and is "classically trained," you'll find yourself zipping through the tracks to end the nightmare quickly. Sorry Sandra, but without musicality, this is nothing....

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sticking up for Sandra, September 22, 2009

By 

lazytime (NYC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whatever It Takes (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of Sandra Bernhard's work since the '80s and as any die-hard knows, her first love is music. She herself has said in interviews that she wishes she could be a singer-songwriter like Joni Mitchell. Alas, she is a comedy legend and I love her for it and applaud her going after her dream and trying something different here. Her singing may be an acquired taste for some, but after a couple of listens I'm actually quite into this album. Genre-busting, surprising, uplifting. (My favorite track is "The Sun Comes Up," which reminds me of Astrud Gilberto.)

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally A Sandra Bernhard record for world music fans, August 25, 2009

By 

michael esterson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whatever It Takes (Audio CD)

I really love the record, it is produced by the guy from modern english Ted Mason. and even features chrissie Hynde on a few trax It has an amazing mix of african and some latin rhythms and it is a joyous and at times rebellious album that breaks new ground for sandra, as a life long fan i would have to recommend this for any serious fan of sandra bernhard, it is a whole new dimension for her..