Words

Tony Rich | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 16, 1996)
• Original Release Date: January 16, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B0000013GL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,655 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #33 in Music > R&B > Neo-Soul

Editorial Reviews

Vibe

Tony Rich's little red Corvette is filled with the high-octane fuel of serious, soulful songcraft. Not just any songs, mind you--remarkably smart, clever songs with hummable melodies, lyric twists, turns, and scenarios that, naturally, speak of love, but thankfully do so without resorting to clichés or stating the obvious.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This suave brotha's recognition is way overdue, February 28, 2002

By 

Nathan "Cawntry-fried Calypso Beach Bum" (Charlotte, N.C. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words (Audio CD)

Okay, first off, 'Nobody Knows'. This is one'a those songs that I could hear over and over again and it would never lose its weight and meaning. The lyrics are just plain tear-jerking an' I'm man enough to admit that I've shed a few while listening to the song ("Why didn't I say the things I needed to say, How could I let my angel get away? Now my world is just'a tumblin' down, I could say it so clearly, but you're nowhere around"). C'mon, admit it, brothas, you're eyes are watering up. Prob'ly one of the most expressive and heart-breaking readings I've heard in the past few years. His voice aches with passion on this number. If you ask me, the album is worth the purchase for that song alone.

Okay, now that I've established what the bar-none best song is and what it means to me, time to move on to the man and the rest of the album. Tony Rich is an extremely talented cat who came on the scene in the mid-'90s and, unfortunately, went by relatively unnoticed. Of course, when you're fighting for elbow room in the swamped '90s urban R&B scene, not everyone gets their dues. But, if you feel like taking the time, I encourage you to re-visit this beautifully-written and performed debut album from Rich and see what you were sleeping on. This is one of those albums for morning drives and coffee houses. Everything about it is just laid-back, right down to the inner cover of Rich reclining on a couch, understated class with his tipped fedora and dark shades. Along with the aforementioned heart-breaking ballad 'Nobody Knows', there's the mellow 'Hey Blue' which is bound to make you smile. Then, taking a total left turn, he bangs out the dark and bluesy numbers 'Grass is Green' and 'Ghost'. Rich keeps the vibe pretty consistent throughout in spite of the varying subject matters. 'Leavin' is a Gospel-tinged number, about finally coming to grips with leaving that girl behind after so long. You know somebody really loves you, but, there's no way around it, ya'gotta bounce, I feel ya, son. 'Under Her Spell' is another dark, bluesy number about a woman who uses and abuses, and the album closer 'Missin' You', another song rife with heartbreak and longing for the one that got away, rounds it all out.

When I think about it, there isn't really a bad song on this album, BUT if I'm going to complain about anything it's that the lyrics of some of the songs, particularly 'Like A Woman' are just strange. It starts out as a nice loving ode to someone, but then he busts out that lyric about slitting their wrists and joining their blood. That one left me flat. I think he was on some 'Natral Born Killers' ish or sumpin'. But, other than that, this album is really great and, hopefully, time will serve it well with its audience.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So far from a One Hit Wonder..., June 28, 2002

By 

"essence_uk" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words (Audio CD)

Tony (Given his start by former NBA player John Salley), may have only experienced true mainstream success on the back of "Nobody Knows" but his consistent talent is there to see for those who explore deeper. As Babyface's protege he has written/produced for Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton and Guy. The artistry of real substance however was kept for himself...

Yes THAT single is a modern classic and it's sincere emotional value has touched many a heart but the rest of the album is to a similarly high standard.

Personal favourites here in Mr Rich's idiosyncratic, smooth, open style include the second single "Like A Woman" and the suitably haunting "Ghost". Lyrically he is particularly skilled, many miles ahead of his "R&B" contemporaries.

There isn't a weak song on the album so if you are inclined to discover truths for yourself and not buy media hype as gospel, explore this album and enjoy the serene beauty of The Tony Rich Project...

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tony Rich - Jack of all trades, January 11, 2005

By 

M. Fyffe "of rnbhaven.com" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Words (Audio CD)

When you look in the booklet that comes with the cd, the first thing you will notice is that this album is all Tony Rich. It is written, arranged, produced, sung, everything, is done by Tony Rich. This fact leaves me in total confusion. How could someone so outstanding in everything and anything pertaining to the production of an album not be a huge superstar?

Before even listening to the songs, I read the lyrics. Reading them, it is clear that Tony has a style unlike anything else out there. The lyrics seem very freeform. Case in point, the first lines in the entire album are "Late one night at the cafe/ I think I had a Greyhound that night/ Lookin' for my lover in the darkness."

When I played the album, I found the lyrics weren't the only place of uniqueness. Tony didn't follow a rigid flow to his songs, instead, singing as he felt right. It added a very exotic flair to the songs and made them interesting to listen to.

However, Tony's songs don't just get praise for being unique or for being totally of his construction. The songs are outstanding in every way. Tony's voice is beautiful and has an amazing range. Likewise, the songs deliver their messages without being blunt. If Tony wants to say I Love You, he doesn't just say it, he explains it. And the emotion he shows when at it is just wonderful. I know this probably makes no sense but thats because Tony Rich is like nothing else out there.

Personal favorite songs: Nobody knows, Missin You, Hey Blue, Grass is Greener, Leavin

At the mentino of Leavin, I was reminded of another perk of Tony Rich's album. The beats are amazing. Leavin has such a wonderful beat that really gets the mood going.

Overall, this album is outstanding. The only sad point is that its 44 minutes long with only 10 songs. But on the other hand, these songs are worth every minute of it and you certainly get what you paid for and more.