SEAL SOUL
Warner Bros.
www.seal.com
warnerbrosrecords.com
I have been a fan of Seal's music since I heard his first album in 1991 entitled 'Seal'. The impact his voice had on me when I first heard him is actually hard to describe. I think my first thoughts were something along the line of "Who IS this guy?" and "Wow, this guy whoever he is, is incredible!"
I also remember the incredible orchestration and musical arrangements on each of his albums. Suffice it to say, I have bought every album of Seal's since then. Seal is an artist in every since of the word. He is one of those rare artists that whatever he puts out, I have to hear it just to hear what did he did each time and how did he do it? Whatever it is, you always know it's going to be something of unique quality.
'Seal Soul' is Seal's sixth studio album. It was released on November 11th, 2008. It is a great album filled exactly with that: Seal's soul. You can hear Seal pouring out his heart and soul in each track. Seal has such a unique, warm and rich voice, it is actually a treat to hear someone of his unique talent and caliber take on these soul classics head on. There are only 12 tracks on this album but by the time you get to the last track you want to hear Seal do more of them and also click "Repeat" to hear them again.
One of the feelings I had upon first listen to this album was something similar to hearing Seal live in concert or at a Grammy performance singing these soul classics during a tribute to Soul Legends from the past. Once again, the best part about this album is that Seal brings to the table, adds and injects his own unique Seal soul. No one can exactly sound like Seal out here today but Seal, and most of all of these soul classics also were done by artists who have left an indelible impression on all of us with their hits.
Seal adds his own unique flavor that is Seal to this album paying tribute to the greats that created these masterpiece classics while keeping them fresh and new yet classic in their originality. Quite a feat to pull off that is not always easily accessible to do.
Soul is made up of 12 cover versions of soul music classics:
1. A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)
2. I Can't Stand The Rain (Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, Bernard Miller)
3. It's A Man's Man's Man's World (James Brown, Betty Newsome)
4. Here I Am (Come And Take Me) (Al Green, Teenie Hodges)
5. I've Been Loving You Too Long ((Jerry Butler, Otis Redding)
6. It's Alright (Curtis Mayfield)
7. If You Don't Know Me By Now (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff)
8. Knock On Wood (Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd)
9. I'm Still In Love With You (Green, Al Jackson, Jr., Willie Mitchell)
10. Free (Susaye Greene, Hank Redd, Nathan Watts, Deniece Williams)
11. Stand By Me (Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller)
12. People Get Ready (Mayfield)
Some of the stand out tracks are: 'A Change Is Gonna Come', - (how timely, feels prophetic given the year it was perfomed, 1964 and looking at today, 2008, especially given Barack Obama's Presidential win!), 'It's A Man's World' (this made me think of the strength of women in general and also Michelle Obama's strong support of her husband), 'Here I Am (Come and Take Me)' - this cover has a unique kick to it that just works and works well!, 'I've Been Loving You', 'It's Alright', 'If You Don't Know Me By Now', 'I'm Still In Love With You' - (incredible! very, very nice!), 'Free'- (this is a treat! Deniece Williams classic! Seal's flavor on top of it! are you kidding me? nice!), 'People Get Ready' (going back to the opening theme to me, the Barack theme, who can't but help think of it?! perfect. life is a circle, where we have been, where we are, where we are now going).
The string arrangements on this album adds such an incredible dynamic to all of the soul classics. For all Soul Music enthusiasts, I can tell you that Seal does all of these classics justice! This album does not disappoint. You will want to add it to your collection!
Seal will be performing live on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson Monday, December 8th, 2008. The show airs in the US on CBS at 12:35 ET/PT. You can also hear Seal’s new album “Soul” in its entirety on the show’s site at www.cbs.com/latelateshow starting that night!
~LT
Here is a great Seal widget you can add to your site, blog, or page!
Here are some great interviews of Seal!
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