I have to admit that until recently, Sheryl Crow was one of those highly successful American artists who just passed me by, purely because I tend to dislike American MOR, and that I find the Americans often dish out Grammys to the most mundane or tasteless of pop musicians. Crow has either won or been nominated for more than a few of these awards over a long career. Although I knew and quite liked 'All I Wanna Do' and her version of 'The First Cut Is The Deepest' (both included on this CD), I was generally disinterested in her. Now my overall opinion of Ms. Crow has changed a bit.. What prompted this was seeing her performing live on Jools Holland's TV programme in May 2008, when she and her band played an excellent song she'd written called 'Out Of Our Heads', which I couldn't get out of my head for days afterwards. I decided then to investigate this politically outspoken lady's talents a bit further.
First of all if you don't like Shania Twain or KT Tunstall, it's likely you won't be drawn to Sheryl Crow either, which is a pity. She certainly can write melodic and catchy tunes, has a great voice, and she's big on vocal harmonies, as well as a competent bass player and pianist. On this CD 'Soak Up The Sun is a good example of her light pop side, ie catchy melody, lyrics, harmonies etc. Then we have her darker side, Favorite Mistake, a Stones style song about a personal doomed relationship, and it is an excellent, if emotional guitar rocker.
Five of the songs are taken from Crow's debut album 'Tuesday Night Music Club, regarded by many fans as her best and most original. It preceded the MOR /country rock style which was soon to become her trademark. All I Wanna Do, her biggest hit, and the single which launched her career is typical of that album having a rebellious, devil-may-care attitude, which was largely the general theme. Also included from it is a charming folk tune Strong Enough showing Crow's versatility. Similar can be said about the country acoustic track, Home taken from her next eponymous album 'Sheryl Crow'.
Unfortunately It has to be mentioned Sheryl Crow does have her mundane side. Light In Your Eyes, If It Makes You Happy, Everyday Is A Winding Road. sound either clichéd, or derivative. Winding Road sounds like a re-worked version of Traffic's Feelin' Alright (1968). Similar criticism can be said about A Change Will Do Your Good, which soon becomes monotonous. By contrast, C'mon, C'mon, featuring the Corrs, and the excellent anthemic closer, Let's Get Free (previously unrecorded) demonstrate how good Crow can be with the right material. There's also a surprise collaboration with rapper, Kid Rock. Hear this and you will be pleasantly surprised.
The CD comes with informative liner notes if a very Americanised written account of Sheryl Crow's musical biography. One of Crow's biggest fans is none other than Eric Clapton, who's more than happy to accommodate her on stage at his live gigs when she often puts in a guest appearance. So this woman needs little recommendation from me.
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Despite the photographic presence of an acoustic guitar (the rock & roll equivalent of a ... more
rubber bullet), the enviably lovely hair and the unassuming knitwear, Sheryl Crow is staring back at us from the cover of The Very Best Of with her chin resting on...
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All I Wanna Do Soak Up The Sun My Favorite Mistake The First Cut Is The Deepest ... more
Everyday Is A Winding Road Leaving Las Vegas Strong Enough Light In Your Eyes If It Makes You Happy Run Baby Run Picture (Kid Rock Duet Version) C'Mon C'Mon (Cor...
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Advantages: If you like sheryl crow you know most of the songs Disadvantages: only a couple of new songs here - don't really think thats a disadvantage though
Advantages: If you like sheryl crow you know most of the songs Disadvantages: only a couple of new songs here - don't really think thats a disadvantage though
Jul 18th, 2008
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