|
From:Steve Winwood , Island ,
|
See Product Page
|
User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#2731 |
| | Page: << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> |
6 of 7 customers found the following review helpful:
 Not My Steve Winwood, 2005-10-05
"Back In the High Life" was a phenomenal commercial success when it was released in 1986, and with its skillfully deployed hooks and willful optimism (the music seems built around the sappy lyrics of the dreaded Will Jennings)this was adult pop that saturated the radio in its time. Winwood had been a star and major rock icon for over twenty years by then, so he knew how to craft radio friendly pop enriched by that legendary, soulfully expressive voice, a voice that the banal or vaguely inspirational material rarely deserves. If you like those hits, then you'll like this album. It is his easiest solo album. Myself, I was thrilled when Winwood found his own direction again on 2003's major comeback "About Time" (as in, it's about time he found a way to make organic, funky, compelling, and expansive music again after the last couple of shots at the multiplatinum hit parade turned out to be duds). I advise anyone who hasn't done so already to find this major return to form, especially the edition with the bonus cd featuring Winwood's ferocious interpretations (and his most inspired guitar/organ playing in 30 years) of Jimi Hendrix - recall that Steve made significant contributuions to "Electric Ladyland" - and Traffic classics. As he did with Traffic (and, briefly, the doomed but superb Blind Faith), Winwood has once again found a rich, personal synthesis with a superb band. If you're not already familiar with his body of work I'd suggest for the early stuff the two underrated Spencer Davis Group albums, recently expanded (20 cuts each!) and remastered on the Sundazed label, "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "I'm a Man" both covering the best of this teenaged prodigy's 1964 - 67 work, fronting a band that could swing or rock out, both sets packed with funky, hard-driving (or sometimes lilting, or melancholy) rock single classics (produced by Jimmy Miller, whose sense of rhythm and use of percussion is unrivalled) plus marvelous originals, classic soul and blues gems, and that amazing Ray Charles-influenced voice. Then explore the 1967 - 74 Traffic catalog, from the psych-w/song-craft first three albums with Dave Mason to the more jazz, English folk, and African influenced explorations on "John Barleycorn" and the remainder of that band's output that sound fresh to this day. Much of Winwood's work from "Arc of a Diver" through "Junction Seven", however, sounds dated, but as already stated, on "About Time" Winwood proves when he follows his muse rather than the pulse of pop radio, he still has all the grit and brilliance we knew he had, then and now.
1 of 28 customers found the following review helpful:
 The Minority Report, 2005-07-09
I realize I'm alone here, but Steve Winwood's voice reminds me of a cat trapped in a burlap bag with a mouse stuck in its throat. This may have been a good album for the mid-80's, but it was this kind of drek that gave rise to the "alternative" scene a few years later. There's one song I like here, "The Finer Things," but listen to it interpreted by someone who understands it, like Linda Thompson or Delores Keane, and you may see what I mean. If not, by all means enjoy!
3 of 4 customers found the following review helpful:
 a really good 'chill out' album--catchy & fun, 2004-12-29
It's not at all hard to see why Steve Winwood's album "Back in the High Life", originally released in mid-1986, was considered a comeback. It had been close to 4 years since his previous album, 1982's "Talking Back to the Night"--that previous album had received a lukewarm commercial reception, & the one-man-band approach did not result in a great album. "Back in the High Life", on the other hand, was a commercial blockbuster, and more than that, it really did represent a musical rebirth of sorts for Winwood--he's got a load of other musicians on board this time, & the difference is huge--"Back in the High Life" is certainly well-produced , & it has lots of liveliness, something that "Talking Back to the Night" was painfully lacking. However, one big similarity to the previous album is that Winwood was still frequently co-writing with Will Jennings. 5 of the 8 songs here are Winwood/ Jennings compositions, & none of them are even close to bad, but the thing is, they tend to have a sugariness that detracts a bit from their enjoyment--"Higher Love", "Take It As It Comes", "The Finer Things", & "Wake Me Up On Judgment Day" are all fun, upbeat, catchy feel-good songs, but they all come up short of being truly transcendent (characteristically obnoxious 'trying-to-steal-the-show' vocals from Chaka Khan on "Higher Love" don't help); & the almost title track "Back in the High Life Again" is a nicely tuneful feel-good ballad that strongly recalls "While You See A Chance", but likewise, it's frustratingly hollow. However, as previously stated, none of those aforementioned tracks are bad, & you do get the stomping, ominous "Freedom Overspill" which is funky & infectious, with irresistible Hammond organ & slide guitar from Steve & Joe Walsh respectively; and the album closes with the moving ballad "My Love's Leavin'", which was written by Winwood & the late Vivian Stanshall. "Split Decision", written by Winwood & Walsh, has a nice moodiness to it, but it's a bit sluggish & has an annoying, overly repeated chorus. Overall, "Back in the High Life" is certainly a strong, solidly enjoyable album that's worth checking out--one on hand, there's not a single track here that's less than good, but it's just that it's frustratingly low on REALLY GREAT tracks. If the sugariness doesn't bother you though, you probably will indeed find this album to be a masterpiece.
2 of 2 customers found the following review helpful:
 I love it, 2004-12-26
I heard Higher Love on the radio a few months back and something about the music just hit home and I had to find out who it was by. As soon as I found out the artist was steve winwood I bought the CD the next day and can't stop playing the song Higher Love though the rest of the songs are good too. It's one of the best songs ever, it's too beautiful for words.
4 of 4 customers found the following review helpful:
This album got him "Back In The High Life Again"., 2004-03-09
There's only 8 tracks on this album, but half of it is some of his biggest hits ever. Included is "The Finer Things", "Freedom Overspill", "Back In The High Life Again", and the huge song "Higher Love". Plus the other tracks are good too. Overall a good listen, but what he needs to do, is release a best of his solo years, including the hits here, the hits from "Roll With It", and then some. Then he could call that collection "The Finer Things". I'd buy it.
|
| Page: << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> |
|