If you've ever thought that Roberta Flack's famous "quiet fire" was just about the smooth stylings of most of her hit singles, this album should expand your understanding of the term. That kind of gorgeous, leisurely phrasing is well represented by the hit "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," as well as her elegant take on Leonard Cohen's "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye."
But if those tracks place the emphasis on the "quiet," other smokier, more smoldering numbers let you know where the "fire" comes in. The opening cut, "Compared to What" is politically charged soul that captures the spirit of hurt, hope and rage of the era perfectly. She approaches the conviction and the cold fire of Nina Simone at her sharpest.
And while she may seem "supper club elegant" a good deal of the time, she can get downright churchy on a number like "I Told Jesus."
I'm sure there are those who would take issue with me for daring to compare her Spanish number "Angelitos Negros" to Grace Slick's half-Spanish (or half-"Pig-Spanish") "Manhole," but there is something about the timbre of their voices when singing in that language that is startlingly similar. Flack's song is,of course, purer both musically AND linguistically, than the pastiche that Slick comes up with, but both singers are indeed both "cool" and "fiery" simultaneously. And there's something about their singing en espanol that seems to emphasize that similarity. (If only Grace had put as much care into the language as she had put into the elaborate orchestration.) My Spanish is extremely limited, but Flack's command of the language as it's SUNG seems pretty darn impressive and authoritative.
Roberta Flack's critics sometimes suggest that she sometimes confuses "languor" with "torpor." A reasonably valid opinion, I suppose, but one that probably reveals more about the listener than the perormer. I'll admit that there are been times when I'm not as up for some of her lengthy mood pieces as I am at others. A song like "Our Ages or Our Hearts" (which seems to bemoan a--gasp!--thirteen year age difference between two adult lovers!)can try my patience. And my first reaction to "The Ballad of the Sad Young Men" was that it was a bit on the mawkish side. But that's just me. And y'know, there are times--late at night--when these songs take on a certain undeniable luster. The same can be said for the entire album.
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First Take remastered
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Import, Remastered
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First Take
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| Price | New from | Used from |
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MP3 Music, June 20, 1969
"Please retry" | $9.49 | — |
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Vinyl, January 1, 1969
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Track Listings
| 1 | Compared To What |
| 2 | Angelitos Negros |
| 3 | Our Ages Or Our Hearts |
| 4 | I Told Jesus |
| 5 | Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye |
| 6 | The First Time EverI Saw Your Face |
| 7 | Tryin' Times |
| 8 | Ballad Of The Sad Young Men |
Editorial Reviews
Out of print in the U.S.! Import pressing of the 1969 debut album from the sophisticated Soul vocalist. Eight tracks. Warner.
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Language : English
- Product Dimensions : 4.92 x 5.67 x 0.39 inches; 3.17 Ounces
- Manufacturer : Atlantic
- Item model number : 75678279225
- SPARS Code : DDD
- Date First Available : December 7, 2006
- Label : Atlantic
- ASIN : B000002J5S
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #99,507 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #1,261 in Traditional Pop
- #1,994 in Soft Rock (CDs & Vinyl)
- #3,618 in Soul (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
206 global ratings
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Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2008
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2022
Roberta Flack - Great song from a fantastic lady! Favorite song: The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face.... Bought the album from media market and was very happy with this purchase. Seller stated the album was used, in very good condition and it was exactly that! Great packaging and quick shipping. I would highly recommend this seller.
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2020
Kinda miss the size of vinyl as you can easily read the cover info. The remaster was fairly loyal to the original pressings. Not much else to say save that finally I'm able to enjoy this recording again after experiencing damage to my original copy.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2017
This is an essential recording for music in general. It cannot be put into a category of R&B, soul, jazz, or folk. There are multiple elements included. It is a time capsule for the late 1960s America which is one of the most profound periods in its history. This is not a date night album. This is a meditative soul searching recording. Kick back and take it in. [If you like this, I would liken this to M. Gaye's "What's Going On" for its timely message that seems to be applicable even now.]
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2020
It took a long time for the CD to arrive but I am very happy with my purchase. The album came out in 1969. The audio on the CD is excellent.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2014
What a voice!!!!!!!! Such clarity!!! The nuances involved, my God!!! Her voice is so powerful & well trained it's as if you're listening to a fully-seated orchestra, such is her talent. And, of course, one is again left with the query, "Whatever happened to her?". Where is she?? Does she still perform?? It's a shame that such a talent is no longer given the opportunity to perform or record...
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Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2006
When I was a kid, I remember listening to this album because my parents used to play it to death. Now that I'm grown, I see why. This album was true to the times and still is. Roberta has captured audiences for years. She is talented. I've seen her perform these songs live and all I can say is, "Wow!" There's nothing fake about her music and this album, like I said, hits it for the times we live in. From this first album you knew that she was a main stay.
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2020
Love it
Top reviews from other countries
Delores
5.0 out of 5 stars
Roberta Flack, simply the Best
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2011
I have this on vinyl from the 70's and now as then, it is still the most sublime music and singing, ever.
I think that Roberta Flack is overlooked today. The song, Killing Me Softly is attributed to the Fugees when it was Roberta's song and the best version obviously. Just love her!
I think that Roberta Flack is overlooked today. The song, Killing Me Softly is attributed to the Fugees when it was Roberta's song and the best version obviously. Just love her!
Icarus Peel
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Music
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2014
This is my favourite Roberta Flack album. It is filled with wonderful songs and that mesmeric, peerless voice that, for me, has never been matched. It only loses one star because I could not put 4 and a half, my only slight quibble being that some of the songs go on a little too long, but that should not put you off a most remarkable piece of work.
hovis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good cd
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2014
Very good cd. Bought for one track only, originally, but most of the tracks are very enjoyable
Very good condition, excellent price, very good delivery time. Really pleased.
Very good condition, excellent price, very good delivery time. Really pleased.
jimboes2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 5 Star classic.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2015
Only 8 tracks, but it has a running time of about 46 minutes, so that's OK. Roberta's version of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is perfection. Superb album.
Kevin Barry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soul Music
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2012
This is a great album. Real Soul Music with Roberta at her best before she became a bit more commercial and poppy.
If you like your soul rootsy and traditional this is a must have album.
If you like your soul rootsy and traditional this is a must have album.
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