Now the cat has swallowed a penny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . there’s money ...
Now the cat has swallowed a penny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . there’s money in my kitty!
Member since:17.10.2002
Reviews:124
Members who trust:191
***** Why did I buy it? *****
I was curious about all the hype about Joss Stone: this apparently very talented young (16 year old at time of recording) girl from Devon. Was it worth spending my money on her album, I wondered?
Then, because I am on their mailing list, CD WOW sent me an email saying that they had briefly reduced the price of some of their albums, and one of them was this. For £6.99, I thought I would satisfy my curiosity. I guess a lot were sold in a very short period of time at this reduced price, but they soon put the price up again!
I had read she was influenced by her mother’s love of soul music, and mum is now her co-manager.
She had a lot of success in America, before her album was launched in her own country. How unusual is that?
The Boston Globe wrote, “When Stone sings, it’s like listening to an old soul record plucked from a dusty stack of forgotten 45s.” The picture on the front of the album may lead you to believe this is the intention. It is dark purple and so impossible to tell the colour, and very difficult to guess the age of the person singing behind what looks to be a large old-fashioned microphone.
Having now got the album, I can tell you that the inside pictures show an apparently naturally beautiful young women with long straight fair hair either alone, or with others
who helped her make the album. Also included are Joss’s personal thanks at the front, and appropriate credits at the back.
The Album contains 8 old soul classics, plus the relatively new “I Had a Dream” and “In Love With a Boy”.
***** The Album Tracks *****
The Chokin’ Kind (3.35 mins) =============
This Harlan Howard ballard is sung with great emotion.
Someone very close to me had someone who claimed to love her but wanted to change her. The relationship didn’t last as it was “the chockin’ kind” of love. This may make me empathise with this track more than some might.
Joss sings, “That hat don’t fit my head. If you don’t like the peach, walk on by the tree. Your love scares me to death, it’s the choking kind.”
Super Duper Love (are you diggin’ on me?) Pt 1 (4.20 mins) =============
This is a great upbeat, feel good song, which I like to sing along to when the chorus comes. You may want to stay out of earshot of me, but not Joss! If you haven’t heard this single for yourself yet, what planet are you from? This was probably released as a single because it was considered the most “commercial” track. Whether it is the best song on the album is purely a matter of personal taste. It is my favourite.
Fell in Love With a Boy (3.38 mins) =================
This is Joss’s version of the White Stripes 2002 song “Fell in Love With a Girl”. I like Joss’s jazzy, soulful version best. This is another upbeat song.
Victim of a Foolish Heart (5.31 mins) ==================
This 70s slow song is emotively sung by Joss, telling the tale of a boy whose ex is trying to get him back, after treating him badly, from his new girlfriend who truly loves him. Joss sings, “Don’t be the victim of a foolish heart” and “She is trying to make me a victim too.”
Dirty Man (2.59 mins) ========
This slow song, written in the 60s, is sung in such a way to show that, an emotionally strong women, will “sweep” this bad man out of her house and out of her life. Joss sings, “I‘m a good housekeeper, I’m gonna take my broom and sweep all of the dirt out in the street.” I like this track, except at the end where she shouts, instead of singing.
Some Kind of Wonderful (3.56 mins) ==================
This was a hit for “The Drifters” in the 60s. Joss sings this joyful song with feeling, and I find it hard to stay still listening to this strong beat. Joss sings, “I’ve got a sweet, sweet loving man, and he knows just how to treat me right. He is some kind of wonderful.”
I’ve Fallen in Love with You (4.29 mins) =====================
This Carla Thomas song was a hit it 1969. It’s a slow song, with a strong beat. Greater use is made of the backing singers, at the chorus, than in other tracks. Joss sings, “I’ve fallen in love with you. My beating heart wants you, and my empty arms need you, don’t you go, please stay, and never try to send me away.” Joss gets too carried away in parts, in my opinion, as she occasionally shouts instead of singing again.
I Had a Dream (3.01 mins) ==========
This is a sad, very slow song, written by Jon Sebastian of the “Lovin’ Spoonful”, sung by Joss with great emotion, but personally I thought it was a bit boring.
All the King’s Horses (3.03 mins) ================
The original was Aretha Franklin’s ballard. I can tell the difference between the two singers and prefer the original. I hope the best is yet to come from Joss. Joss is shouting instead of singing again, during part of the track. At only 16 she should be looking for ways to improve her work. She has been called the “white Aretha Franklin” but I think she should try to develop as the original Joss Stone!
For the Love of You Pts 1 & 2 (7.33 mins) ===============
The length is not a typing error. It is really over seven minutes long and becomes boring. It is a very slow song, which Joss sings with very little backing, which it hard to do, and sometimes seems to miss the top notes. This track is definitely a “could do better” one, in my opinion.
***** Conclusion *****
Overall Joss’s powerful voice sounds at least 10 years older than her actual age, and she sings with a great depth of feeling. You are meant to hear what she is singing about, unlike a lot of modern music. The backing musicians are of high quality, but are there for backing only, not to show off their own talents at the expense of the vocalist.
I think Joss could do even better if she gets the right material. I understand the next album will have original material on it, perhaps some written by Joss herself. I am curious again!
If you think you might like an album that is a mixture of soul, jazz, country, and r’n’b consider buying this. You may want to go to the Amazon site first though, as they are currently giving samples of the first songs. Do bear in mind though that, in my opinion, the first half of the album is better than the second.
I am glad I bought it, even though some of the tracks were a little disappointing. It was well worth it for the best ones, as I only paid £6.99. Even if you like this type of music, you may want to wait for the next album, though, which I hope will be better.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I haven't heard all this album and only really liked a few of the songs she has released but my first impression of her certainly didn't imagine her being so young! She does have a wonderful voice and is very talented! Jane
tekin21 12.03.2005 17:11
My husband love Joss Stone but I'm not a fan myself. Jane x
MrsRichi 18.09.2004 23:21
As a lover of soul and Jazz music, i thought this album was pretty first class, i also think you have done a fab job on the review. I recommend Jill Scott's new album if you like this sort of vibe. Yaz xx
Joss Stone is blessed with a strong voice and a will to sing old-school soul and The Soul ... more
Sessions is worthy of more than novelty status. Not every 16-year-old Caucasian, English girl can hang with the likes of Betty Wright ("Clean Up Woman") and Angie...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Debut album from 16 year old Devonshire singer being touted as "the future of blue-eyed ... more
soul". Postponing the recording of her official debut of mainstream pop, she tracked a four day jam session with some of the greats of Miami soul including Benny La...
Jul 14th, 2004
(Jul 26th, 2004)
exceptional by (1%):
very helpful by (98%):
helpful by (1%):
