Babyface is a good arranger, songwriter and producer.
I enjoyed his work in Madonna's "Bedtime Stories", Eric Clapton's
"Change The World" and, recently, in Olivia Newton-John's
re-recording of "I Honestly Love You" in her latest album.
I had never heard any solo work of his until I listened
to this album
The album opens masterfully. Eric Clapton joins him (on guitar)
for a six-minute-plus version of "Change The World" and then
for a new song, "Talk to Me". The only problem of these tracks is
that it betrays the "Unplugged" idea, for they are very electric songs.
The album then, without Clapton, loses its appeal. The next few tracks
are less than inspiring, even with Shanice Wilson's
glass-breaking falsetto on "Breathe Again". Fortunately
it catches fire again when his siblings join him on "I'll
Care About You"
Finally, the show ends in the same way it started: The great
Stevie Wonder delivers wonderful performances on "Gone
Too Soon" and"How Come, So Long", closing the album very emotionally.
Bottom line: I think the tracks are not very well placed.
I usually program the CD player by placing the Clapton
tracks later. The album sounds better this way.
Please share your views with me. I would like to know what you think of
my ideas on these reviews.
Links
Read Last month's review
Purchase the album
Babyface at Epic Records
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