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by Andy Moseley - reprinted with permission from the May 22, 2002, edition of The George-Anne In 1998, pop rocker Sheryl Crow released her "Globe Sessions" album. After that, she stayed away from the recording studio for four years, until 1999 when she released a live album. Now 2002 has marked her triumphant return to studio albums with "C'mon. C'mon." "C'mon, C'mon" debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 album charts, just a few thousand sales lower than Ashanti's self-titled debut, and has yet to fall out of the top ten. Crow produced the album herself and chose to record parts of it all over the United States, from Los Angeles to New York and from Nashville to Portland. Sheryl did keep herself very busy during the years away from the studio, appearing on what seems like everyone else's albums. She has done duets with everyone from legendary Willie Nelson to rocker Kid Rock. She had a lot of guest help in return on her new album. "C'mon, C'mon" opens with the rocking track "Steve McQueen," in which Crow notes, "all our popstars look like porn." Following that is "Soak Up The Sun," the first radio and video hit from the album. A very upbeat and poppy tune, it brings to mind images of days on the beach. Liz Phair provides the first guest spot, adding in guest vocals. Phair, like many guests, are in the background and are not all that noticable in the finished product. Lenny Kravitz joins Crow for "You're An Original," and unlike everyone else, can be heard loud and clear. It's a fairly bland song, but it gets Kravitz a spot on the album. "Safe And Sound" was first heard on the "America: A Tribute to Heroes" telethon, days after the September 11 attacks. Crow's good friend Stevie Nicks adds her raspy touch to the title track and returns later in the album for "Diamond Road." "Diamond Road" doesn't bring too much to the table. |
"C'MON, C'MON": After a three year hiatus, Sheryl Crow is back on the Billboard charts with her newest release. (Internet Photo) "It's So Easy" includes Don Henley's guest vocals. Henley does not add much, and the song comes off as a plain, adult contemporary radio hit. A double shot of solo Crow songs follows with "Over You" and "Lucky Kid." While not lyrical masterpieces, both songs are a lot better than a majority of what is getting airplay on pop stations and MTV. "It's Only Love" features what is surely the strangest guest vocalist, Gwyneth Paltrow. Strangely enough, Paltrow is pretty good. Maybe that singing in the movie "Duets" paid off after all. Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks joins Crow for "Abilene." Crow has worked with Natalie and the Chicks before for a live version of Crow's "Strong Enough" as well as on a Lifetime concert special, and they always mesh well together. Finally comes "Weather Channel," a haunting song featuring Emmylou Harris. The tale of loneliness and the perpetual hunt for a companion is a sad yet strong ending to the album. The summer will bring many albums from critically-acclaimed artists such as Dave Matthews Band and Weezer. The first of those released is most definitely "C'mon, C'mon." It is worth a listen. |
