Dreaming Wide Awake

Lizz Wright

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 14, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Forecast
• ASIN: B00096S3RM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,595 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Lizz Wright’s sophomore release, Dreaming Wide Awake is a gorgeous, floating atmospheric journey. Her deep, rich alto, matched by a similarly incredible depth of emotion, makes for a beautiful, timeless record. Highlights include a bluegrass-tinged cover of Neil Young’s "Old Man," a gorgeously sultry version of Joe Henry’s "Stop" (better known as "Don’t Tell Me," as covered by Madonna), and the Youngbloods' positivity-tipped "Get Together." But not all highlights are cover tunes. Wright, along with songwriter Jesse Harris and Toshi Reagon, created the achingly beautiful "Hit the Ground," while Chocolate Genius (a.k.a. Marc Anthony Thompson) scribed "Chasing Strange," and Wright penned the jazz-tinged title track on her own. --Denise Sheppard

Product Description

On this album the singer, songwriter embraces the history of Jazz, Gospel, and R&B. Her collaborations with some of the most gifted artists already have this record tagged as one of the most original albums of the year.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW where have I been?, November 13, 2005

By	Psboston7 "~ And so it Goes ~" (Upland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Picked up this CD by chance and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Wonderful soulful, folkish voice. Softer than Tracy Chapman along the same lines almost as Norah Jones for sure, but in the package of a sistah. Definately not as Jazzy as Cassandra Wilson but that is okay because her voice holds itself well. Songs vary they do not all sound a like which is something that I definately look for in my CD's I have recently purchased about 20 CD's within the last 2 weeks and Liz has remained at the top of my WOULD buy for friends list.

In my CD player at home that plays random I keep this CD in if I am in the mood for some light relaxing music along with Kem "Kem", Norah Jones "Come Away with Me", Terence Blanchard "Flow", Ray LaMontagne "Trouble" and Michael Franks "Anthology-The Art of Love" GREAT CD's to just have on random selection you just can't go wrong.

Respectfully Reviewed

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alpha Wave Music, July 4, 2005

By	Rick Cornell "RC" (Reno, Nv USA) - See all my reviews

The much acclaimed, young singer, Lizz Wright, starts out this sophomore album with a terrific version of "A Taste of Honey", done here as a duet with Bill Frisell's bottleneck acoustic guitar. Imagine Robert Johnson doing this tune, and you have the idea. It does exactly what an opener is supposed to do, which is to grab your attention and make you listen further.

Yet, for as good as her original title track is, strangely enough I think the cut that defines this album is Ms. Wright's take on the old Tin Pan Alley tune, "I'm Confessin'." This album is a confessional. But when I think of this tune, I think of the dramatic way Lena Horne used to do it. This is no Lena Horne copy: Ms. Wright does the song as a confessional to a kind, loving God.

And the whole album is like that. The old Youngbloods tune, "Get Together", is done as though the whole world really could "get together, right now." Marc Anthony Thompson drops by for a cover of his "When I Close My Eyes", and as done here, Ms. Wright makes it sound like something Marvin Gaye might have done from "What's Goin' On." This is one of those albums where you can definitely say that "God was in the House that day."

Ms. Wright has a strong contralto, reminiscent of Cassandra Wilson's. But nothing here is sung above mezzo-forte; and if you take out "Trouble" and "Stop", above a mezzo piano. In that sense, she's more like Shirley Horn. Really, she's an original: people in the future will be comparing other singers to Lizz Wright. One thing is for certain: Lizz Wright has one of the most superbly controlled voices among all modern popular music singers.

If you are about to embark on an uncomfortable journey on an airplane, and you need calming, don't take a valium. Instead, put this album into your Ipod and listen. This is alpha wave music, guaranteed to put your alpha waves in order. Through the first 6 months of 2005, this album is truly one of the best of the year. RC

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smooth Like "Honey", July 3, 2005

By	Andrew Jacob (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews

Lizz Wright's sophomore album "Dreaming Wide Awake" can be summed up in one word; bold. The soulful vibe is apparent throughout the album with the help of Lizz's sultry voice; although deep in range, it can be simultaneously powerful yet subtle. Although not as jazz-oriented as her debut "Salt," it is easily just as compelling. Highlights include the title track "Dreaming Wide Awake," the bittersweet "Hit The Ground," the smooth "I'm Confessin'," the serene "A Taste of Honey," and my favorite track, the sexy and soothing "Stop," a cover song by Joe Henry (and personally, I'll take Lizz Wright's rendition over Madonna's any day). The one thing noticeable about this album is the semi-non-acoustic approach, which can be both good and bad. It's bad because most would immediately categorize it as run-of-the-mill lounge music. On the contrary, it's a cappella characteristic allows the listener to appreciate the voice, rather than over-producing and therefore covering up. Although it won't appeal to all, "Dreaming Wide Awake" is ultimately an album that is sufficient in exceptional songs and is only lacking in an audience.