Best Of Youssou N'Dour - Youssou N'Dour

Advantages: Very moving, personal, vivid, intense
Disadvantages: can invoke all sorts of emotions - good or otherwise

...Although quite old now, Seven Seconds is still a very powerful soul record, sung by the relatively unknown N'dour and of course Ms Cherry herself. But for me its N'dour that carries the music with the kind of aethetic desire & mystic Turkish charm which melds into the pace & delivery of the rhythm. Cherry adds a little feminine charm but done with a certain mature manache that envelopes N'dour's delivery: it's as if the two are lovers serenading each other's devotion & hopes. Like most ballads each song seems to hold something special to the listener; and for me Seven Seconds will always remind me February 21st 1998. As someone once said, a particular song (love songs usually) will always have strong affections & emotions for one person in their hearts; and this song is no exception. The big problem with ballads... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Perfect harmony
Disadvantages: Slightly repetitive??

...I must confess - I have only heard this right through once. I do however own the single "Seven Seconds". It is superb. N'Dour's vocals are haunting, powerful, restrained, imperious, magnificent. The music behind them is soft, inspired and perfect. Seven Seconds, on which most of my knowledge is based, is a true masterpiece. Backed by Neneh Cherry, the song is deeply moving, with a clear and powerful nature. The video, filmed in black and white, is just right. It leaves you contemplative, wanting to hear it again, to discover it's true message. The whole of The Guide is similar. Eminently easy-listening, you won't tire of it, I promise.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Sleek, edgy pop music. DVD edition highlights the outstanding video. Will appeal beyond their usual fanbase.
Disadvantages: No lyrics. Those without DVD capabilities won't get the video as it's not on the CD single.

...sublime Top 5 hit from the summer of 1989, or even 1994's "7 Seconds" (her unforgettable collaboration with Youssou N'Dour). Minor-key pop classics are a dying breed of late - the groove is all these days, it seems - yet this song fuses an insistent rhythm (based around a gorgeous, cascading piano motif) with some darker lyrics that offer something more than the standard "ooh baby, you drive me crazy, come and dance with me" subject matter. As such, Run For Cover has more substance, more widespread potential, than either the funky stylings of Overload or the plaintive, mellow soul of New Year. The single is accompanied by a suitably overcast video, shot in the near-darkness of a late-night/early-morning urban location from the wrong side of the tracks. There are no choreographed routines, indeed the trio only feature together onscreen... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful