Customer Reviews

Words

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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...

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.

I am one of the small and eclectic group who count themselves as day one Tony Rich Fans. My iPod plays in heavy rotation his albums. To put that in perspective I have 12 playlists with a total of about 2000 songs. I listen to everything from Rock to Hip-Hop, Country to Neo-Soul/Soul/R&B and at the end of the day there are few artists that get a whole CD in my rotation yet Mr. Rich has 3!

That said, if you are interested in unique arrangements and lyrical content then The Tony Rich Project Words is the CD for you. It encapsulates what he is about and what to expect from his other projects. I feel he was ahead of his time and went unnoticed during the New Jack vibe that was so prevalent in the 90's. Tony Rich is an artist I would pay to see live. He is in the same time tested category as Ledisi and Jill Scott. Even when his subject matter makes you a little uneasy his artistry smooths the rough edges.

Nobody Knows tends to be the favorite of most when talking about this CD, but I encourage you to listen and appreciate the depth in all the songs. My personal favorite is "Like a Woman". It's a little out there, but there is an eerie quality of love just over the edge. That makes this song, for my money, the most creative song on the project.

Tony Rich came on the scene in 95 with a debut CD that is beautifully written, performed.. Tony has a style that is very different from the rest of the r&b out there.. Sure he's an protege of Babyface and their are little similarites .. But this man still have a style all his own.. I can honestly say that i am glad i have purchased this CD when it was released it still get major spins in my CD player.. It's that type of CD that you can put on while you crusing or just relaxin with that special some one.. Tony perform all the instruments ,Writing, Producing by himself.. Tony is a talent that shouldnt have gone by un-noticed.. One listen to this CD you will be hooked .. Highlites on a sensational CD: " Hey Blue" "Nobody Knows", Leavin, Missing You are among the best tracks on this CD.. You cant possible go wrong with adding this CD to your collection if you missed it the first time around.. A great CD from one of the most underrated talents in music.. Pick it up folks

Tony Rich is a wonderful all-round artist. This entire album was produced, written, arranged and performed by him with only a small amount of help on a few songs by additional musicians. And every song is so good even though the album only spawned one major hit, "Nobody knows". The other songs were for the most part, overlooked, and it is a shame, because there's not one filler in the entire album. The 16 page booklet includes numerous photos and all the lyrics. This really is a wonderful album, and highly recommended. If you are a fan of Brian McKnight then you will for sure love Tony Rich too.

This a solid CD by a great musician. He comes out swingin' with the melodic "Hey Blue" The song has a mystical feel and his description of his love is wonderful, but she has kicked him to the curb, for no reason, I been there bro and I feel your pain in this song, very well done. "Nobody Knows" is in a class all by itself. When I first heard this song, my true love had just broken up with me and I cried for days, then I heard this...and...wow, it put things in perspective. I mean, I heard the same pain, love, anguish, denial, retrospect, imagery, and questions in this song. Totally and amazingly brilliant! It's like he was talking to me about my lost love!

"Like A Woman" has all the hurt one can feel. He is hurting so deep in this song that everything about it is definitely personified. I, honestly felt, all his pain here. She has made an impact on him, even up to the sharing of blood, making each other as one, even though it is only imagery, you can feel how much he loves her. "Grass Is Green" tells us to respect what we have. I mean it has a bluesy, ghetto feel, very poetic. He is looking for a way out of the streets, but has to do what he has to, to survive and all the while, he just wants someone to listen to him and perhaps, help him, but not judge him. "Ghost" asks of a spiritual connection. Have you ever been so in love, that you feel his/her pain, even when they aren't around? This song takes you there.

"Leavin'" is a tender ballad, worthy of tears. He is looking for love, but he isn't getting it, where he has tried to. She is putting him off, has a wall up, and wont let him in. No matter what he does, she wont give him a chance, to show her how he feels. I been there, and I feel that he really does love her, but time is running out for him, so he has to find a woman that loves him, very, very deep song. "Billy Goat" tells a story of that friend who tries too hard for everyone to like him. No matter what the cost, Billy does whatever he can, but not all the right things. That can get you into trouble.

"Under Her Spell" has him so in love, but she is doing everything to hurt him. He knows this, but continues to love her anyways. She's a very intelligent woman, but uses her intelligence to hurt men, perhaps because she has been deeply hurt herself. He has been caught and is questioning how to get out from under and still have her love.

"Little Ones" has us dreaming of what we will become when we get older. You can hear his pleas to God, trying to lead the way. The little girl in the story is being hurt on a constant, she meets a little boy (Tony Rich) who has been hurt too, but he is trying to learn from her and is falling deeply in love with her. Together, they are searching for love, trust, faith, and desire and falling in love along the way, very brilliant imagery, seeing love through the eyes of a child. "Missing You" is the final plea for his lover's return. He loves this woman with so much passion, that every season, every scene, reminds him of her. I hear that he has been crying in this song, as I was when I thought of my special love. All I needed at that point was her and it was her that broke my heart, how powerful!

This CD is miles above anything else Tony has ever done! He is a tremendously talented musician who bring his heart and soul into his work. His other CDs are very well written too, but this one is in a league all its own. If you have ever wanted to recapture your lost heart, this is the Cd to help you do it. This CD will break your heart and mend it, from start to finish.

I never ever get tired of listening to "Words". I kinda like "Birdseye" but to me it's not as good as "Words". I wonder why he's been quiet after the last album. I recommend this album to everyone.

This is one of those CDs you are surprised by. Somewhere between a ballad album and a jazz album. This is a wonderful album of tightly written and delivered music. Tony doesn't use repeat the way some artists do, instead keeping the music interesting and dynamic throughout the songs. Tony's tunes have cleverly written lyrics too. His style is acceptable to nearly any occasion, in the way that jazz is, and he doesn't use any bad language. Every song is interesting and many come back to you later.

Great work! Amazed at how new artistes are rediscovering the roots of great music