Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This man is incredible!, August 1, 2006
Another departure from the Mavericks front man! This time he is delivering some older songs for our listening pleasure.
And a pleasure it is indeed.
Working with Peter Asher and using his own style and wonderful voice, Raul gives us his versions of some great music. I have to admit I was a bit hesitant about this project because most of these songs I love dearly, especiall 'At Last'.
However, I soon realized that there was nothing to worry about. His version of 'At Last' could easily become a classic. It's bare bones subtle, played straight with a lean toward tex-mex/country but not too much.
'You're Only Lonely', a JD Souther classic, 'Feels Like Home', very well done by Linda Ronstadt, and 'Remember' by Harry Nillsson are all great covers. But then this whole CD is done exceptionally well.
'You're Only Lonely' is done on a blue note as it should, with a wistful feeling. 'Feels Like Home' is on here twice. Once solo and once with Martina McBride. This song is easily carried out as a duet, but I prefer the solo version myself. But each are done well. 'So Sad', an Emmylou Harris tune, is carried out very nicely here.
His version of 'Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground' (a Willie Nelson song) is captivating. It starts soft and tender and finishes on a full, gospel style note. But it's his version of 'Remember' (A Harry Nilsson song) that really caught my ear. Raul makes this song poetic, wrapping the words over mental images. He keeps it mournful and romantic where Nilsson took the song into starry skies. 'Tomorrow Night' is an amazing throwback into a country/rock/doo wop mix... excellent!
But it's 'Run To Me' that really stands out here. An older Bee Gee's song (Pre-disco) that is very poingnant, he breathes new life into it. I cannot recall any other covers of this fantastic song and cudos to Raul for taking on that deed. If any song on here should get airplay it is this one.
The key element here is his voice. He has tried his talent at other styles successfully and now is showing that he can do equally well in this arena.
Raul has a timeless voice. Rich, relaxing, comforting and sounding like there is no effort at all to deliver the sound. Eagerly looking forward to his next venture I am already in the process of wearing out this CD. I stongly encourage anyone who's even considering listening to one track to buy this CD. You won't be disappointed.
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love:It's Like A Tiny Bit of the Universe Has Shifted Into Place, August 5, 2006
"Raul Malo sees only a fine line between rock & roll, country, and salsa rhythms. Because he loves all kinds of music and doesn't like classifying tunes into set genres, his music will undoubtedly continue to slip in and out of the various rhythms, crossing cultures, and blurring musical boundaries." Malo bio.
Raul Malo voice on this CD is enough to melt even the most hardened heart. His voice is the melody on wings that flies straight to your heart. "You're Only Lonely" is about "LOVE", old love, new love, the love games men and women play, the pain of love, love lost, love remembered, love found, love songs, and love for a soul mate. It is one of the most romantic of CD's and for new love it is a must. For love that is lost, it is a soulful reflection.
Raul Malo is of Cuban derivation and born in Miami. When he became part of the group "The Mavericks', he brought his Latin roots, country rhythm and bits of rock 'n roll into the scene. They had great success and now Raul Malo is branching out on his own. This CD finds a range of old songs from many well known singers and song writers and one new song that Raul Malo wrote that "will knock your socks off".
"You're Only Lonely" is an old JD Souther song. This song brings the comparison of Malo's voice to Roy Orbison. Raul Malo has a smoother, richer voice and this from, me, a true Orbison fan. The full band brings this song to new heights.
"Angel Flying To Close To The Ground"- Willie Nelson's song has never been sung with such tenderness and love.
"Feels Like Home" Randy Newman's lovely song comes to life with Raul Malo in his single rendition, and then to even greater heights with Martina McBride, one of the magnificent duets of this year.
"So Sad" an old Everly Brothers song of love lost, "So sad to watch good love go bad."
"At Last", "My Love Has Come Along" who could ever sing this song as Etta Kames has? Raul Malo has put a new smooth twist to this song, made it his own, and I just wanted to get up and dance with my man. The full band with the trumpet solo helps to make this song one many will request time and again.
"Games That Lovers Play" was recorded by Wayne Newton and an oldie, Eddie Fisher. Raul's voice gives it a new meaning.
"For You" is a rollicking Latin rhythm that comes out of no-where and knocks your socks off. I love it! It will get you up and dancing around the room. It is a fast paced song that is needed right where it is. Your heart beat speeds up and then returns back to rest, at peace. "I want to be your sunrise, I want to be your blue eyes", I want to be your story, I want to be your glory, the secret you can tell no other".
"Secret Heart" by Ron Sexsmith, a song that has such great feeling. A secret love, you can't go through it alone.
"Run To Me" by the Bee Gees. We can feel their voices all in one with Raul. He is able to carry this song by himself and the melodious tones meld into one.
"Tomorrow Night" how many of us remember this old Elvis Presley tune, also recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis and Etta James. "Will all the thrill be gone?" Raul brings the Elvis tremors with his voice.
"Remember" Harry Nilsson made this tune one to remember. A lovely, sifting sands, soft, dreamy tune. Remember your old loves.
and then the duet with Martina McBride "Feels Like Home' that can bring tears to your eyes. A song that should become a single.
The producer on this CD, Peter Asher, had one trait Raul Malo particularly appreciated. "The most interesting thing I noticed in working with him was that he didn't really let anything get in the way of the vocals -- of a vocal line or a phrase. Everything the musicians played -- every riff, every drum fill, every little chime, whatever -- was tailored around the vocal. It was an interesting way to work, because what happens, I think, is that your ear starts to focus on the vocal, and whenever there's a little riff or a little lick, that becomes part of the hook, part of the arrangement, rather than just another fill." from a CMT interview.
This is a CD for lovers, and those who love and those who remember love. A CD that brings out memories and longing. A CD that urges you to get up and dance with your loved one. A romantic CD that will keep your eyes shining and your heart humming. Love is like a tiny bit of the universe that has shifted into place. Highly Recommended. prisrob 8-06-06
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
another home run for Malo!, July 26, 2006
Take the earthy hunkiness of Elvis, add the intelligent sensibilities of the Beatles, the white-hot cool soul of Orbison, and top it off with Latin passion, and you have a man named Raul Malo. Since leaving the Mavericks he has shown his prowess in a variety of musical genres and this record gives us his sultry interpretation of many "old" favorites. You will never get glassy over-produced sound with Raul Malo, instead you will get the combination of technique and humanity that defines music! Working with Peter Asher, he has created a set of recordings of talented musicians so precise sometimes you can hear them make eye contact with each other. Any recording from Raul Malo is worth its weight in gold. His voice never disappoints~!
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