Elly Roberts reviews
Anita Baker:
My Everything
Distributed by
Blue Note Records / Capitol Records (EMI)
- Released: September 2004
- Rating: 2/10
- Cat. No: 7243 5 77102 2 0
Track listing:
1. You’re My Everything
2. How Could You
3. In My Heart
4. Serious
5. How Does It Feel
6. Like You Used To Do
7. Close our Eyes
8. You’re My Everything - Revisited
9. I Can’t Stop
10. Men In My Life
It’s a poor return to form for one of the music industry’s most respected artists.
Eighteen years ago American songstress Anita Baker made her UK debut
with the stunning Soul ballad Sweet Love, selling more than 6 million
copies. Just about everybody knows it. It was one of the most requested
end-of-night smoochies at discos and parties.
Then she had a run of lesser know chart entries. In 1994 it all stopped to
concentrate on family life. Now the 46-year-old multi-Grammy award-winner from
Detroit is making a comeback with ten new songs, nine of which are self-penned
with collaborations.
From the first listen it comes across as smooth, soulful with a sublime
production. That said, it’s bland and boring, and out of touch in terms of
making any kind of impact. It flows inoffensively from one track to another.
And that’s the problem – nothing stands out – except a far too brief Jazzed-up
reprise (1 minute 12 seconds) of You’re My Everything Revisited, and
slightly more interesting I Can’t Sleep which contains a sensational
sax-solo. It’s nicely packaged in just about every department, maybe too much
so; certainly for my personal tastes.
I was waiting for the whole thing to take off in some kind of spectacular
fashion – considering it’s her ‘ comeback project ‘, it’s a major let down.
Baker’s singing is as pristine as ever, remaining elegant and smouldering.
The big But is : Nuevo-soul has moved on considerably - perhaps her time -
out was too long, especially for the British market.
No doubt she still has a strong fanbase in the States where she’s apparently
wowing the Yanks once again: I doubt if it will transfer to the UK.
Sorry Anita, nothing going on here to want to make me buy it. File under snooze.
Weblink:
Bluenote.com,
Bluenote Europe.com
and
Anita Baker.org
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
