by April H.
Member since:
December 22, 2005

Seal's Newest Album Lacks Soul?

December 23, 2008 03:27 PM UTC (Updated: January 06, 2009 10:16 AM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 28

Seal delivers an amazing album in his newest release, Soul.  However, it also leaves you wondering how much better it could have been.  In his latest album Seal covers 12 classics.  His rich voice couldn’t be better suited for these songs, and he delivers twelve great classics to sing along with while you’re in your car, shower, or wherever you listen to music. 

My only complaint is that he didn’t do anything to make these songs his own.  They are amazing songs in their own right, which makes them hard, if not impossible, to improve upon.  I think it would have been nice to see Seal put his own touches into these songs and take a little bit more ownership in them.  Of course, that is a slippery slope, and apparently one he decided that he did not want to travel down.  Regardless, this still is  a great CD and if you’re like me you’ll find yourself singing along to songs you haven’t heard in ages.  Even my daughter stopped crying when I put this CD in!

 

Track Listing

1. A Change Is Gonna Come

2. I Can't Stand The Rain

3. It's A Man's Man's Man's World

4. Here I Am (Come And Take Me)

5. I've Been Loving You Too Long

6. It's Alright

7. If You Don't Know Me By Now

8. Knock On Wood

9. I'm Still In Love With You

10. Free

11. Stand By Me

12. People Get Ready

Comments: 28

The Fine Art of C.C. Miranda Dec 23, 2008, 3:31pm UTC
he does have a soothing voice. i didn't realize this album was cover songs.
Alicia Loudon Dec 23, 2008, 3:33pm UTC
I like seal.I haven't really heard much of what he put out though.
kelldogg ! Dec 23, 2008, 3:35pm UTC
ha! i did a review of this album a couple days ago . . . my sentiments exactly!!! i already loved the songs . . . but how could you improve on songs that are already fantastic?! i was very disappointed in this album . . .
Dame Ruth, Chief Executive Elitist D. Dec 23, 2008, 3:41pm UTC
Thank you for posting to this group whose only purpose is to thank you for posting to this group.
William M. Dec 23, 2008, 4:04pm UTC
Thanks for the review. Merry Christmas.
Elaine B. Dec 23, 2008, 4:06pm UTC
Great review!
Marianne R. Dec 23, 2008, 5:21pm UTC
Thanks for the review
Heather M. Dec 26, 2008, 4:25pm UTC
I haven't heard any of his music in a while.
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Jan 5, 2009, 11:47am UTC
i like Seal!!
Great review!
Bridget Jean Jan 5, 2009, 12:06pm UTC
I've heard this same thing from other people who have listened to this CD!
Μόףףý ● ķ ~ Jan 5, 2009, 12:18pm UTC
So I see at least 2 folks feel the same about the album. Thanks for the review April.
Sherry Wight Jan 5, 2009, 1:09pm UTC
Well that's a bummer! It's so important for artists to add their own flair to covers.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Jan 5, 2009, 1:12pm UTC
I have never really been into Seal that much ... but do think he has an amazing voice. It's too bad that he didn't add enough of himself into these classic songs.

Thanks for reviewing this!
Trish A. Jan 5, 2009, 1:47pm UTC
April, doing covers seem to be happening pretty frequently lately. It's nice to have a heads up so as not to expect his own original pieces. Glad it helped calm your little one.
I would love to hear his voice, even if the songs are not his own~
Jennifer G. Jan 5, 2009, 5:33pm UTC
I'm interested in hearing his covers. I remember loving Cat Power's cover album... so I'm sure I'd like this one!
→ Victoria ← Jan 5, 2009, 7:16pm UTC
Thanks for the review!
Ashley B. Jan 5, 2009, 7:59pm UTC
Thanks. I'm not too into cover albums, but I guess every cover can have potential.
Mary M. Jan 5, 2009, 10:12pm UTC
It would be neat to see "new" music from him but I'm sure he does these tracks justice.
Dena Straughn Jan 6, 2009, 2:15am UTC
When somethings done right, you don't change it, but if you can't top it or make it original, I say don't do it at all. But, I haven't listened to the CD yet, so I can't really form an opinion, yet.
Denise B. Jan 6, 2009, 7:37am UTC
great review thanks :)
April H. Jan 6, 2009, 10:13am UTC
Thanks for all of the comments!

I agree Dena, Seal has a great voice, but it isn't better than these "Masters". And I really enjoyed the songs that were obscure to me. I think if he had found a lot of obscure but good soul songs and did them it would have been an amazing album!
Christina R. Jan 6, 2009, 2:30pm UTC
What would have been really cool is if he found soul songs from the library of congress that haven't been sung in nearly 100 years. There are a lot of these type of songs that people are no longer aware of, and they have no royalties to pay for the music because they've expired. Moby used some of this type of music in one of his albums and there was definitely an old negro spiritual / soul song on there that made me think of the early 1900s when it was sung popularly.
Christina R. Jan 6, 2009, 2:31pm UTC
Being a Seal fan I would still love to hear the album. Thanks for the review.
Cori Anders Jan 7, 2009, 8:58am UTC
You weren't the only person to have this thought! I think this is the hardest thing about doing covers... will the new artist bring a new vision to the song, or will a new vision ruin the song completely? It's a hard balance. I commend Seal for trying!
Rose Hill Jan 12, 2009, 1:37pm UTC
Thanks for a good review. I don't know - if he did a nice job - then I prefer that over a new version which isn't necessarily always better.
Amy just hangin' out M. Jan 13, 2009, 11:23am UTC
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
Trish A. Jan 15, 2009, 11:48am UTC
Great news! I won all three CD's!

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