Acoustic Soul

India.Arie

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 27, 2001)
• Original Release Date: March 27, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B00005A1PR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (394 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,117 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #21 in	Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues
  #70 in	Music > R&B > Contemporary R&B

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

India Arie's Acoustic Soul is just as advertised: grooving soul music with an acoustic bent. Arie herself plays guitar, supplemented by strings (instead of synthesizers) and drums (instead of drum machines). The first single, "Video," is a calm, confident ode to self-love, comparing the dreadlocked, petite Arie to the average girl in a video. Arie is indeed anything but average: her debut marks the auspicious return of the black female singer-songwriter, in the vein of Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Tracy Chapman, and Dionne Farris. If you like their music, with thoughtful lyrics and layers of instrumentation, you'll love this album. "Video" is fabulous, but other high points include "Ready for Love," a lament that smolders before slowly building to a crescendo, with tinkling piano, guitar, and cello swelling beneath the vocal. "Strength, Courage, and Wisdom" is an optimistic anthem that'll have you clapping your hands and swaying from side to side, and the best track on the album, "Simple," is a straightforward love song with a pulsating beat. Acoustic Soul may not be full of radio-friendly tracks, but every track is strong, and the disc improves each time you press play. --Courtney Kemp

Product Description

Excellent Condition

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars India.Arie - Acoustic Soul, April 5, 2001

By	"acoolj" (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

After hearing the single "Video" in late February and doing a little bit of web reasearch to figure out who had released such a positive and enjoyable piece of music, I pre-ordered this item from Amazon.com on March 5th. The 22 days until the release date of 3/27/01 were the longest days in my recent memory! When the box arrived at my office just before 10am on 3/28, I popped the cd into the cd-rom drive and got more inspired work done that day in many months past.

In my humble opinion, this is the type of music that feeds the spirit and provides something to share with everyone. Young girls should be encouraged to listen to the message in "Video" and build their self love. Young women who have given up on attracting a good relationship should find hope in "Ready for Love." I can't even say what I want to about what "Brown Skin" can do for folks! The genuis that is Stevie Wonder is documented and celebrated in "Wonderful." Who knew one could weave all of those Stevie Song titles and lyrics into one single song exemplifying such positivity and lyricism! It inspired me to go back and break out "Original Musiquarium" just for old times sake.

If you are looking for something to LISTEN to, not just have as background sound, as you drive your car, study, clean house etc. then I really think you will enjoy India.Arie. ...Peace & blessings fellow music aficionados.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Wish Music Was More Like This!, April 11, 2001

By	Shazzar Kallie "SHAZZAR.COM" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

India Arie is truly a breath of fresh air to music. She is truly what you call a real artist in that she writes her own songs and can play one mean guitar. Kinda reminds me of another musical genius songwriting singer named Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds! Finally, an artist not caught up on money, looks, or whatever is in style, but one that is true to God, self and becoming the best of what you can be. "Strength, Courage & Wisdom" is my favorite song on the album. It's something one should listen to every morning before going out into the world. It's simply a faithful song of inspiration that lets you know who you are and what you're capable of achieveing if you only believe in yourself, think and try! "Simple" shows this sista can get your feet moving as she enlightens your mind. "I See God In You" is simply amazing. Simply put this is how I want to feel when I see my divine mate. She sings it from the heart with wisdom and understanding of love and the Creator. Every song on the album is a treasure. India Arie explores Black culture, spirituality and love in such a unique, innovative and fresh way. She'll make you realize where music can and should go. If you're a Musiq Soulchild fan you'll truly love this woman because she's on the same level if not beyond. This is an album of love, self-awareness, and spirituality that will allow you to resonate on being the best you can be, accepting who you are, and being true to yourself. India Arie's voice is soulfully beautiful, and her acoustic guitar skills are sublime. Get this album so you'll always be able to say that you knew of her then, and you'll hold this treasure of a first album "Acoustic Soul"! This is not a commercial album to me, even though it's better than any commercial album released this year. This is truly a gift of spirituality, love and wisdom from India Arie herself to the people of the world! God is Love!!!

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavenly!, March 6, 2002

By	Charlotte Vale-Allen (CT USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I, too, cannot believe that this wonderful performer didn't win a single Grammy. It would seem that the Grammy awards have become like the Academy Awards, not necessarily based on individual merit but on politics. Here's a young woman with boundless talent: a wonderfully sultry voice, great songwriting skill, and the ability to play a number of instruments. Her guitar-playing on this album is simple but entirely appropriate. Worth noting is that one doesn't have to strain to make out the lyrics; she actually enunciates without detracting one bit from the content. This is a wonderful album, filled with personal comments, beliefs, and observations. With hints of Caribbean rhythm, this is contemporary yet timeless music. With any luck, India.Arie will be with us for many years to come. Never strident or grating, always mellow, this is fine music.
Most highly recommended.