...
Her Albums
Up to date Leona has only released one album, which is titled Spirit but she is set to release her second in November 2009. Spirit was released in 2007 and debuted in the top spot in nine countries including the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia. The album became the biggest ... Read review
Spirit - Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is something of an anomaly. Not only is she pretty and endowed with a ... more
wonderfully elastic (four-octave) vocal range--shes also a committed vegetarian and one of the few X Factor/TV talent show winners not to immediately try to capita...
Spirit - Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is something of an anomaly. Not only is she pretty and endowed with a ... more
wonderfully elastic (four-octave) vocal range--shes also a committed vegetarian and one of the few X Factor/TV talent show winners not to immediately try to capita...
Spirit - Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is something of an anomaly. Not only is she pretty and endowed with a ... more
wonderfully elastic (four-octave) vocal range--shes also a committed vegetarian and one of the few X Factor/TV talent show winners not to immediately try to capita...
Factor winner arranged for piano, voice and guitar. Spirit is the fastest selling debut album of all time selling 375,000 copies in its first week of release.Songs: A Moment Like This ,Angel,Better In Time ,Bleeding Love ,Footprints In The Sand ,Here I Am ,Homeless ,I Will Be ,I'm You ,Take A Bow ,The Best You Never Had ,The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face ,Whatever It Takes ,Yesterday . Includes the number one singles A Moment Like This which sold 600,000 copies in it’s first week and Bleeding Love which has so far sold 500,000 copies making her the biggest selling singles artist for two years in a row.
A review by MI9to5 on Spirit - Leona Lewis August 29th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Originality
Groundbreaking
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Superb vocals
Disadvantages:
Her style may not suit everybody
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Who is Leona Lewis?
Leona Lewis is a British multi platinum selling artist and three times Grammy award nominee. Leona rose to fame in 2006 when she won the British TV show X-Fator and quickly became a tremendous musical success. Her debut single was not only crowned Christmas Number One in 2006 but also became the fastest selling UK single when it was downloaded 50,000 within 30 seconds of being released.
Her Albums
Up to date Leona has only released one album, which is titled Spirit but she is set to release her second in November 2009. Spirit was released in 2007 and debuted in the top spot in nine countries including the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia. The album became the biggest album seller of 2007 in the UK and Ireland. And the 6th biggest selling album of 2008 in the world.
Spirit – Album Inlay
Album inlay’s aren’t exactly something that really interest me, although I do prefer ones that contain the lyrics for the album’s song, and because of this I can in no way be seen as an inlay connoisseur. The opinion of Spirit’s inlay that you will therefore receive will probably we a somewhat basic one. For me the Spirit album inlay is a decent one as it contains one of the two things that I look for in these small booklets. That one thing is the lyrics to all of the albums songs. The lyrics in the booklet where also printed in black on white or pale blue backgrounds which made them easy to read – not always the case. The booklet also contained (next to the lyrics) some tasteful pictures of Leona as well as the usual musical dedications and a thank you message. Unfortunately however the inlay contains no information about the artist herself, which would have been nice.
The Album in Short
If you’re one of those people that aren’t particularly looking for a track-by-track breakdown of the album in question then this section is for you and you can simply gloss over the track analysis if you wish. Spirit is in my opinion an outstanding album and it is easy for me listening to it to see exactly why Leona has become to success and the star that she is. This album showcases her immense vocal talent and holds within some really powerful and emotive songs. I can say with conviction that none of the songs on the album are unpopular with me and each one offers the listening something more. ‘Bleeding’ Love is powerful and emotive as is ‘A Moment Like This’ whilst ‘Better in Time’ is delicate, ‘Footprints in the Sand’ simply beautiful and ‘Homeless’ an outstanding piece of musical and lyrical work.
Track Breakdown
ONE – Bleeding Love
This track is one of Leona’s most well-known and popular tracks. It is in my opinion a lovely album opener and a very distinctive track in many ways. The backing track has some lovely chords and a strong steady yet somehow unique beat and the sublime lyrics are delivered in that true Leona Lewis style. Behind the vocals is a tower of strength and this emanates throughout. ‘Closed off from love I didn’t need the pain Once or twice was enough And it was all in vain’ **********9/10**********
TWO – Whatever it Takes
This next track has a different sound to the previous one from the very start as it is the backing vocalists that we hear first before the soft and delicate voice of Leona filters through. The lyrics are beautiful to listen to and the downshift in pace and tempo for this song really works and gives variety to the listener. ‘People say love Comes and goes, but They don’t understand What they don’t know’ *********9/10*********
THREE – Homeless
This is one of my favourite tracks from the album and has been since I very heard those opening piano notes and the near unaccompanied yet sublime vocals. The lyrics are faultless on all accounts, the musical backing flawless and the vocals emotive, delicate and powerful all at the same time. ‘But you don't love me anymore You don't want me anymore There's a sign on your door No vacancy, just emptiness' ***********10/10**********
FOUR – Better in Time
I love the violin introduction to this song followed by a solid and steady, which in many ways compartmentalises the lyrics and gives them presence and power. The lyrics themselves are again brilliant and the song has a real feel good sense despite it being rather delicate and dainty in terms of vocals. ‘Thought I couldn't live without you It's gonna hurt when it heals too It'll all get better in time’ ********9/10********
FIVE - Yesterday
This track is another rather delicate one and the backing track backs up this feeling with small tickles on the piano. The lyrics are again lovely to listen to and the vocals are again extremely strong from the start. There are a couple of moments however were the vocals seem to warble a little and that’s a shame as the track is otherwise a beautiful one. ‘They can take the music that we never play All the broken dreams, take everything, Just take it away They can never have yesterday’ ********8/10********
SIX – Take a Bow
This track has a very electronic sound to begin with and the stunted style of vocalising the lyrics at the start made me think that this track was not going to be one I would enjoy. As it continued however I found myself being drawn into it and the track is now one of my favourites on the album. The varying vocal styles are interesting to listen to and the chorus beautifully sung and extremely catchy. _‘So take a bow _Cause you've taken everything else_ _You played the part_ _Like a star you played it so well’_ **********10/10**********
SEVEN – I Will Be
This track sees a return to the more sombre in pace tracks from earlier in the album. I Will Be is a beautiful track on every level and really contrasts and compliments the previous track very well. Leona’s vocals are strong and powerful in terms of emotion yet delicate enough to let this emotion come through naturally and in a heartfelt way. _‘All the pain, the tears I cried_ _Still you never said goodbye and now I know_ _How far you'd go’_ *********9/10*********
EIGHT – Angel
In many ways this track can be seen as a sublime blend of the previous two tracks. It has the strong and steady beat of Take a Bow but the delicate yet emotive vocals of I Will Be. In my opinion Angel is a superb track and one that I will remain eternally fond of because of the mixing of vocal and musical styles. _‘Like Romeo and Juliet_ _Family came to fight us_ _Like the tallest mountain on the widest sea_ _Nothing big enough to hide us’_ **********10/10**********
NINE – Here I Am
Here I Am is much slower than any of the other tracks on the album and I can’t say that I’m certain that this pace particularly suits Leona’s general style. I must say however that the song is more than pleasant to listen to and certainly does showcase a spectacular vocal talent, as she sings for the most part with very little accompaniment. Something however just tells me that this sort of track is something she should only do once in a while. For a once in a while track though this isn’t half bad. _‘If you have broken dreams_ _Just lay them all on me_ _I'll be the one who understands_ _So take my hand’_ ********8/10********
TEN – I’m You
This track has a somewhat oriental feel when it comes to the opening music and the vocals at times help to uphold this feeling. In general however the song resorts back to Leona’s natural flare and musical style and this is something I’m pleased with. In no way though is this song samey as it brings something different to the album through the brilliantly and uniquely sung lyrics. _‘Oh you're not crazy_ _If only you'd realise_ _That you and I_ _Have all the help we need’_ *********9/10*********
ELEVEN – The Best You Never Had
The beginning of this track has a steady beat and some uniquely sung lyrics and this feeling continues throughout the track as a whole. The chorus of this song is one that really makes you feel good and I can certainly imagine this song being blasted out in the rooms of all those girls with idiotic boyfriends. The lyrics are fantastic to listen to and as we have come to expect from the album flawlessly sung. _‘Because I told you you'd live to regret it,_ _Now I don't wanna make you feel bad,_ _But when it comes to me just forget it,_ _I'll be the best you never had’_ *********9/10*********
TWELVE – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
I must admit that this is my least favourite track on the album but I must also admit that I have never really liked this song no matter who it’s sung by. Unfortunately for me this track sees Leona move back to the slowly paced tracks, which I think she shouldn’t do too often. Again there is nothing particularly wrong with this track as the vocals are both powerful and emotive and the lyrics rather pretty. Maybe it is just the fact that I don’t like the pace of the song but it just isn’t for me. _‘The first time ever I saw your face_ _I thought the sun rose in your eyes_ _And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave_ _To the dark and the endless skies my love’_ *******7/10*******
THIRTEEN – Footprints in the Sand
Footprints in the sand is a massive power ballad and a truly beautiful song based on the poem ‘Footprints’. The song is very much string-fuelled and extremely emotional as the ideas of the Christian poem are filtered through Leona’s outstandingly sense tingling vocals. _‘You walked with me,_ _Footprints in the sand,_ _And helped me understand,_ _Where I'm going’_ **********10/10**********
FOURTEEN – A Moment Like This
A Moment Like This is a song that most of us seem to know and one that I am particularly fond of. Coupled with the previous track this one brings the album to a fantastic end. The backing track is powerful and heady but beautifully done at the same time. The lyrics are clever and extremely fitting when you think that this was the track Leona sung to win the competition. The vocals as usual are powerful and extremely emotive making for a tremendous album closure. _‘A moment like this_ _Some people wait a lifetime_ _For a moment like this_ _Some people search forever’_ **********10/10**********
CLOSING COMMENT
This album really is one that I am extremely fond of. I must say that I was never certain this was going to be the case when I picked it up but upon first listen I found myself falling in love with the soulfully delicate ballads, the powerful lyrics and the emotion filled vocals. In my opinion this album proves to everyone that talent competitions do sometimes earth up some genuinely brilliant talent and that Leona Lewis is more than standing proof that if you have a dream you should go for it with all your heart.
Advantages: Great voice, great songs, fantastic reviews Disadvantages: A couple of dissappointing tracks
Being a huge fan of "The X Factor" (A UK Entertainment television show), I was a massive fan of the 2006 winner Leona Lewis, & absolutely loved her first single "A Moment Like This". However, it wasn't until the following November when Leona's album "Spirit" was released, following her hugely successful number one "Bleeding Love", which stayed at the top of the charts for a seven week run. TRACK LISTING
Bleeding Love
The second single ... ...selling single of 2007, and due to it's international release, was also the best selling single of 2008. It has reached the top spot in an incredible 34 countries - and you can see why. It's a brilliant track, perfectly suited to Leona's voice, but with a tune and a sound that anyone would like. Young and the old alike are bound to enjoy this song, and I think that is what guaranteed its success. It also has a different sound to it - not the usual ...
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Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
very helpful
21.01.2009
High Spirits Review ofSpirit - Leona Lewisby
mummy2harry
Advantages: Some lovely songs, Leona has a great voice Disadvantages: Full of ballads, no up-tempo numbers
...single. So 10 months later....was Spirit worth the wait? Sadly, the cover didn't stand out as anything amazing, just a facial shot of Leona, which sort of reminds me of the cover of Britney Spears' debut single Baby, One More Time. But the tracks themselves? Well, you do get 14 tracks for your money from Leona, and what a stonking 14 tracks they are. I have reviewed them below in the order they appear on the album.
Bleeding Love: I wonder if there ... ...can just chill out to, Spirit is the one for you. A superb debut, and I look forward to Leona's second offering.
You can buy the CD from Amazon for £8.98 but my copy was a Christmas pressie, so thanks to my mum for that! You can download the album too, but prices vary according to different websites. The album runs for approximately 57 minutes.
Thank you for reading! ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Excellent songs, not a bad track on the album Disadvantages: None
It's been nearly a year since 22 year old Leona Lewis was crowned the winner of the third series of 'The X Factor'. Leona was mentored by Simon Cowell throughout the series and praised by the other judges and was a firm favourite by many people from the beginning, she was definitely one of the most talented contestants in the third series and was even being compared to major singing sensations such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera. ... ...actually ended up winning the show. She was given a £1 million recording contract and released her first single 'A Moment Like This' which went in straight at No1 in the charts during Christmas week. The single was so successful that it actually sold more copies than the rest of the top 40 combined!
However, things have been very quiet ever since as Leona has been taking her time to record an album that she is happy with rather than rushing out ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Slick production, easy to get into, 14 tracks! Disadvantages: A few too many ballads, a couple of tracks could have been removed without issue
Well, it's been a while but has she cracked it? After a year of keeping her under wraps, it must be a sign they are taking the winner of X Factor 2006 VERY seriously. In fact, after her debut single A Moment Like This back in December 2006, she drifted into what we thought was the typical X Factor obscurity bubble along with that Ray bloke with the quiff, and those other chaps...Journey erm, ... well there you have it. Can you name any of the others? ... ...wearing, non-swearing, non-drug taking, not-a-bad-word-against-anyone soul. Is this girl in the right business? Thankfully, for music lovers and those appreciate fine vocals....Yes. Definetley. Without a doubt. There was a reason she has been hiding under the duvet all year - and this album proves it. This review may be biased anyway so remember that - when Leona did her fist "cold " interview I turned to my wife and said "that's the girl who'll ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great songs , Touching lyrics , Great voice Disadvantages: none!
...finally released her debut album Spirit , after leaving fans with eleven months of waiting for it. The album includes a list of thirteen memorable tracks ; each one co-written by the singer. Spirit consists of up tempo songs such as 'Better In Time' as well as beautiful ballads such as the emotional 'Footprints In The Sand' which were this years charity Songs for Comic Relief. The Singer sometimes referred to as the 'younger version of Whitney Houston' ... ...she was seventeen.
* Spirit *
Spirit is the name of Leona Lewis' debut album. It was released on November 9th 2007 . The length of this album is 52 minutes and 32 seconds. This album is catergorised into the R&B , Pop and Soul genre. The album can be bought from shops such as woolworths , hmv and supermarkets as well as from online stores such as www.play.com . Spirit can be bought on www.play.com for £8.95
* Songs on the album *
1.Bleeding Love
...
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Advantages: Repackaged to be international star worthy Disadvantages: Dare I say, it lacks spirit
...Cowell was quick to sink his teeth into his new talent, and was happy to be able to shout about how reality television had found a real celebrity. There never should have been any question of who deserved to win the competition on raw talent, however we all know how public opinion is what truly matters when it comes to these shows (Rhydian losing to Leon), and luckily the public could see past this shy girl that only came out of her shell when singing and 2006 was the year of her victory. On appearances on hit US television shows, such as 'Oprah', Cowell has been quick to shed his nasty exterior to praise Leona for being one of the nicest, talented individuals he has ever had the 'pleasure' of working alongside.
'Spirit' is the debut album from LeonaLewis, and broke records for being the fastest selling album by a new artist in the UK...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Good Songs , Voice! Disadvantages: Money Making Scam!!!!!!
...I''m sure you've heard of the name LeonaLewis (if you havn't , I can only imagine that you have been stranded on a desert island with no access to the music charts , television or the internet). If this is the case then I will tell you exactly who this LeonaLewis is.
Leona Louise Lewis was born on April 3rd 1985 in Hackney , London to parents Joe and Maria. She has two brothers , one older and one younger than her. Leona auditioned for the British talent show The X Factor in 2006 , which she went on to win. After The X Factor , she 'vanished' for a about ten months , to record her debut album Spirit. Spirit was released in the United Kingdom in November 2007. The album did really well and reached number one in several countries , including the United Kingdom , America , Australia and Germany. A couple of months later , it is...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: One or Two Good Songs! Disadvantages: Boring , Weak Tracks
...If I'm honest , I don't understand how Leon managed to get to the live shows of the X Factor , never mind win the competition. I was positive that Rhydian would be the one taking the crown, but of course it was Leon that won the one million pound record deal. So a year on (nearly) , and Leon is back with his debut album. I liked his debut single 'When You Believe' but I didn't really like him , although when I heard he had a new album out , I didn't exactly rush out to buy it , but I was slightly curious about whether or not it would be as a big a hit as LeonaLewis' 'Spirit'. So when my friend (who is quite a big fan) told me she had bought his album and loved it , I asked her if I could borrow it to see if I thought the same.
* Who Is Leon Jackson ? *
Well as I have already mentioned Leon won the fourth series of the British talent...
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Label / Distributor: Syco / Sony Music/Arvato Services
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 886971852622
Catalogue Number: 88697185262
Additional notes
Album Notes: British popster Leona Lewis became a superstar in the U.K. after winning on the TV program X Factor, releasing the chart-ruling hit single "Bleeding Love," and following up with a full-length debut that broke British sales records. That album, SPIRIT, hit America in the spring of 2008. The album is full of bubbly pop and R&B that might elicit comparisons with the music of Mariah Carey or Alicia Keys. Lewis received no shortage of help from industry heavy-hitters, including OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder (who co-wrote "Bleeding Love"), as well as songwriters Akon, Ne-Yo, Josh Alexander, Stargate, and others. The result is a full dose of radio-ready pop bliss that's sure to spark the interest of America's pop and R&B fans.
Titles on disc 1
1.: Bleeding Love
2.: Whatever It Takes
3.: Homeless
4.: Better In Time
5.: Yesterday
6.: Take A Bow
7.: I Will Be
8.: Angel
9.: Here I Am
10.: I'm You
11.: Best You Never Had
12.: First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
13.: Footprints In The Sand
14.: Moment Like This (UK bonus track)
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