B'day [Deluxe Edition]

Beyonce

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2007)
• Original Release Date: April 3, 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000NDIAWO
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,000 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
History may prove Beyoncé's B'Day to be a rare double-whammy of an achievement. Not only is it destined to hold up as one of the thumpingest, most polished-sounding discs of 2006, it's also bound to loose a new phrase into the popular lexicon: a "freekum dress" (n.), as described on a same-named track halfway through this excellent CD, is a "right-fittin'" garment owned by every woman; "when they act wrong, that's when you put it on." Linguistic hijinks aside, here is Beyoncé as the public rarely sees her: fully liberated and artistically fearless. "Ring the Alarm," a big-banging, fire-alarm-clanging wake-up call to a cheating man, finds her seething; "Kitty Kat," a feline-like size-up of a stale relationship helped along by the still innovative Neptunes, shows her spurned; the womanly, fire-in-the-belly come-on "Suga Mama" gets her way, way worked up; and the crackling, vocally volcanic "Resentment" steeps her in Aretha-caliber soul. For all the disc's solo trailblazing, though, where it really soars is on one of two duets with Jay-Z: While "Up Grade U" chugs along entertainingly enough about the good life ("I'm talkin' spa bags and fly pads and rooms at the Bloomberg"), opener "Deja Vu" blasts out a bomp-bomp beat nobody with a head to nod could resist. Cake, candles, and Cristal or no, B'Days rarely get this good. --Tammy La Gorce

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4-3-07... B'Day!, April 3, 2007

By	W. E. Phillips (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The release of the original version of B'Day came at the perfect time in my life. It came out the day before I had to return to work after my summer break and I was depressed, not only by that, but also by other things going on in my life. On September 5, 2006, I went to the music store and bought two copies. (I now own four copies, including the deluxe edition). I opened it and shoved the CD in my car stereo. What I heard changed my life. The songs were flawlessly produced and Beyoncé's vocal delivery was energetic, enthusiastic, swaggering, powerful and charismatic. Every song was amazing. Never have upbeat songs been graced with such beautiful, complex harmonies! It is now my favorite album of all time, even though I have had countless people shake their heads and laugh at this statement. (I plan to have many more after posting this review, too.) This album offered me an escape from my problems that even Mary J. Blige's My Life and Me'Shell NdegéOcello's Bitter couldn't bring to me, and for this I am thankful.

Considering this, I promise to give an absolutely truthful review that will answer the essential question at hand: does it live up to, or is it better than, the original? I feel no need to review songs from the original because you've most likely heard them on the radio, bought the album and/or seen the videos. Plus, I pretty much thought it was flawless.

There has been some confusion and I'd like to clear it up. The deluxe edition is a two-disc set. It comes with the expanded version of the original and a bonus disc with Spanish songs. It does NOT come with all of the videos. To obtain the videos recorded for each song, there is a DVD that you must buy separately from the CD set, which is exclusively available at Wal-Mart stores and on their website, or at least for the time being. (By the way, the DVD is definitely worth the purchase. The videos are amazing and very amusing.) Now that we've got that cleared up... let's move on to the new additions.

"Beautiful Liar," which was initially leaked on the Internet with only Beyoncé's vocals in November, is a little disappointing. It has a great theme and the song is alright, but the production is a little stale and uninspired to me. I also don't think Shakira's vocals mix well with Ms. Knowles'. Either way, it is pretty enjoyable and the dramatic, almost opera-like vocals from both women are nice. Can't say it fits the environment of the overall album, though.

The next new track, "Welcome To Hollywood," is simply a version of Jay Z's "Hollywood" with only Beyoncé singing. Nothing more, nothing less. (Good thing she left him out, because he already appears on here twice.) I wasn't a big fan of the song in the first place and always found the production to fall flat, but this version is an improvement. I love her blasting vocals and she gives the song a more cohesive sound.

Now "Flaws & All" is what I'm talking about! A common complaint towards the original B'Day was it barely had any ballads that made her debut such a hit. Here, B delivers a beautifully confessional song where she admits she has flaws and glitches. In the first few seconds of the song, she declares "I'm a train wreck in the morning / I'm a b---h in the afternoon." Wow! She has ups and downs, but her man (cough cough, Jay Z) loves her anyway, and that's why she loves him. It truly is beautiful and the melody is amazing. This is a welcome addition to the album, for me.

"Still In Love (Kissing You)" is another superb ballad, which was originally done by Desiree for the Rome + Juliet soundtrack. Beyoncé inserts some of her own lyrics to make the song more personal and she definitely does the song justice. It took a few listens to get used to because the production is very minimal, but it is a beautiful track nonetheless. In the last few seconds of the song, she proclaims that she loves her man "more than music." And we know how much she loves music. It's very touching and romantic.

The last new addition to the first disc is a hidden track that comes after "Listen." It is titled "World Wide Woman," which leaked on the Internet earlier this year. It has a very laid-back, spring/summer feel to it and I personally love it. It doesn't necessarily fit with the rest of B'Day, but I suppose that's why it's hidden. I'm glad it was included, though.

It was originally intended that Beyoncé would release a Spanish album, but that apparently fell apart. To not put the tracks to waste, some of them were put on the bonus disc, which is pretty much here just for added value. It includes the "Spanglish" version of "Beautiful Liar," which was actually the original version before Shakira stepped in. It features Sasha, Beyoncé's alter-ego, on the Spanish lines. I personally prefer this version to the original. The "remix" is not much different from the original, kind of useless. Same background music and everything. The version of "Beautiful Liar" completely in Spanish, "Bello Embustero," is also included. "Irreemplazable," the Spanish version of the ten-week number one hit "Irreplaceable" is very nice. The beautiful tone of her voice is preserved even when she is singing in Spanish and it sounds quite authentic. The same applies to "Listen (Oye)." I was rather impressed. "Amor Gitano" is enjoyable. But the real treat is the Nortena Remix of "Irreemplazable." It has accordions in it! Quite a refreshing combination!

So, back to the essential question: does it live up to the original? Was it worth it? As a fan, I was ecstatic for some new material. But for the casual music listener... it may not be necessary. "Still In Love (Kissing You)," "Flaws & All" and "Worldwide Woman" were welcome additions, but I would've preferred to have tracks such as "Creole," "Lost Yo Mind" or numerous others to replace "Beautiful Liar" and "Welcome To Hollywood." (I wish she would release an album of all the songs not released and call it B'Sides... eh?) Also, the addition of the new songs sacrifices the cohesive environment which existed in the original. The bonus disc feels out place. It is really not essential and it would've been much better if the DVD were included, even if it did raise the price tag a bit.

Bottom line: Overall, it's still great, but it doesn't live up to the original for me because now there is some filler that pollutes this album. If you are a fan, this is excellent. If you are more of a casual listener and you have already purchased B'Day, I would listen to samples (which are readily available all over) and see if you think it's worth it. You probably won't find it absolutely necessary, even though the price is right, kids!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An overrated singer, May 1, 2007

By	nevertoofar "nevertoofar" (Spain) - See all my reviews

Beyonce is everywhere, her record company invested millions of dolars to promote a single record around the world but it didn't sell like a superstar record, Why? because it isn't a good album. Everybody was waiting for better things from Beyonce, everybody but me. I Know she is a good singer but not as good as Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton and Whitney Houston. She is fine but vocally she isn't a star. If you are looking for a good RNB record buy Tamia's Between Friends and forget B'Day.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars B-Day, New-Day, April 6, 2007

By	C. Gonzalez (Delanco, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album this time around I must say was done much better. Some of the songs I must admit took a little time for them to grow on me but I like most of the songs off the Deluxe Edition. Since I am from Puerto Rican decent I listen to the spanish songs and I must say she is not that bad. "Amor Gitano" was my favorite. When two months ago I heard it on the soap opera I fell instantly in love but by the time they decided to come out with the CD I lost interest in the song but it still is a beautiful song though. But sometimes I wonder about the spanish songs. Jennifer Lopez after all had her whole spanish album come out a week before hers so I sometimes think it was a competion of some sorts which I don't understand but that's the music biz for ya. I think though it was a bit rediclous to have like 5 different versions of "Beautiful Liar" I mean it would have been good if it was one version in enlgish one is spanish and just leave it at that. To have one song done by her so called alter-ego "Sasha" was kind of cheesy. I do love the CD case in comes in and the CD booklet is beautiful as well. I can now donate my other plain B-Day CD and this Deluxe Edition is a keeper. So when it comes down to it's not really bad it's a good CD with some good songs. Also make sure you pick up the video album(DVD) that's in Walmart cause she made every video for every song. I mean not EVERY song but most of the songs on B-Day. This CD is also good for when you are taking a long drive you pop this in and it's pleasent to listen to while your on the road.