Introducing Joss Stone

Joss Stone

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: March 20, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000MTPAGI
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (162 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,791 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In the run-up to this, her third album, Joss Stone told a phalanx of glossy magazines that the difference between this disc and the two that preceded it was a newfound clarity of vision. Whereas the other records--their gold status notwithstanding--represented the fumblings of a huge-voiced kid being bossed around by experienced music-biz types, this one, she promised, would reveal the real her. Thus, the titular "introduction." To which anybody who spins the 14 groovy and fully unbuttoned tracks herein will wish to reply not "nice to meet you"--far too lame a sentiment for so fully realized a disc--but "Where have you been all my life?" As good as Joss Stone's previous efforts are, Introducing Joss Stone represents a giant step forward: there's a freshness to these songs that suits her age (19 as of the album's release) and a funkiness that suits modern pop sensibilities. There's also a cross-hatching of visions with artists like Lauryn Hill and Common that will rightly advance her reputation as an artist who can sling disco, R&B, and rock almost as convincingly as soul. Splicing girl-group harmonies with blaxploitation-style funk with Joplin-esque and, at times, Shelby Lynne-reminiscent vocals, Stone works these Raphael Saadiq-produced beats with the stealth and steadiness of a '70s-era legend who's still going strong. "Girl They Won't Believe It," she wails against the tight hoo-hoo harmonizing of talented backup singers on the opening track; get a load of how much she's accomplished in the space of three albums, and you won't believe it, either. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Joss Stone Photos

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars She's got plenty of raunch....., March 20, 2007

By	joemacktheknife (East Hampton, NY) - See all my reviews

Joss Stone is back with a transatlantic accent, in both her spoken and singing voice.
It is clear from the outset that this artist is desperate for the world to know, this is the "new" her. .
Featuring a pretentious intro by Vinnie Jones, the Devon lass is implying that she is now a ballsy soul star with a new sound. The red hair and tattoo on the front cover hammers this home, in case you didn't know already.
Her voice still has all the right moves, although she has started to do the 'Mariah thing' - in that each note is stretched to breaking point, taking the energy and replacing it with a 'hear me now' wail.
Lauryn Hill from the Fugees makes special guest appearance on one of the 14 new tracks.
So much so that a line "Watch Me Walk" sounds like "Watch me wail." The single "Tell Me Bout It" out has a touch of the old skool about it, but for all the hype - it is begged and borrowed rather than 'new'.
There is the odd gem which stirs you, like "Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now" in which the soulstress is more restrained and these tracks benefit from this as they have heart.
But too often, the album tries to be all things to all people. So we end up with a little of Janis Joplin, Mariah, Whitney, Aretha and many other great female singers. Imitation is flattering for these women.
But it also means that the real Joss Stone needs to stand up.
This begs the question, if we are being introduced to this soul star for the first time, who is she?

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Original, Sensual, Rhythmic Bluesy Sound, June 14, 2008

By	Erika Borsos "pepper flower" (Gulf Coast of FL, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Joss Stone is an original. Her gritty, visceral, sensual voice is unforgettable. It is amazing to hear a young, white British female vocalist sing R & B. I first heard Joss Stone in July 2007 during the special televised fund-raiser sponsored by Prince William and Prince Harry on behalf of Princess Diana on her birthday. Next, I heard Joss Stone sing "Put Your Hands on Me" on Jimmy Kimmel Live. It was then I knew I had to buy some of her music.

My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Tell Me 'bout It", "Put Your Hands on Me", "Baby, Baby, Baby", "Tell Me What We Gonna Do Now", "Bruised but not Broken", and "What Were We Thinking". Most of the lyrics are written by Joss Stone and Rapheal Saddiq (one of the muscians) which proves she is multi-talented and creative. Her down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is style is highly appealing. Her smoky, sultry voice is unforgettable. I deduct one star for the Intro called "Change" done by Vinnie Jones which detracts from quality of the CD. It is a turn off and does not set a good example for the contents of the CD, most of which is excellent. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The voice is still mesmerizing., March 20, 2007

By	Christi Serrao (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Introducing Joss Stone" doesn't begin with a soulful bang but a huge question mark with listeners subjected to a nonsensical rant by ex-footballer turned wannabe Hollywood actor Vinnie Jones.

Cringe worthy and thuggish, it's a terrible way to kick off an album and it makes you wonder what exactly Joss was thinking - if indeed anything at all - to sanction such an obvious PR stunt.

Even more problematic, however, is the lack of genuine soul from the Devon singer. Yes, her voice remains extraordinarily powerful, but unlike her neo soul contemporary Jill Scott and Amy Winehouse she never really sounds like she means it.

As a consequence, fine production work by Raphael Saadiq (D'Angelo, Macy Gray) on the vintage Motown flavoured "Arms of My Baby" and the hypnotic, lazy groove based "Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now", which bears a resemblance to Whitney Houston's 1999 hit "My Love is Your Love", feels undeserved and wasted.

Stone's general disconnectedness from the material also rubs off on guest vocalist Lauryn Hill whose rap performance on the languid R&B funk of "Music" is reason enough to approach the Fugees' upcoming project with much trepidation.

Perhaps this will change as Stone matures and acquires the inevitable emotional scars, but right now she is still very much a work in progress.

The voice is still mesmerising four years after a 15-year-old Joss Stone burst on to the music scene. Unfortunately, powerful vocal cords aren't enough to save the teenager's third record, the strangely named "Introducing Joss Stone".