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Post by shavonfan on Jun 14, 2005 18:33:49 GMT -5
The quality on this album is absolutely amazing! Even the videos on the dvd are great! And I love all the songs on it, as usual for any Lara cd. My only ever so slight criticism of this album is that it doesn't have the contextual flow musically that i prefer on an album. Each song is great in and of itself. But from song to song they never really allow me to get completely absorbed in the album. I believe this was my criticism of other favorites such as Bruce Springsteen's "The River", and U2's most recent "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". All the songs are great, but together they seem a bit jumpy, and do not form a mood for the album musically. It's probably hard to do that when artists like this are as divers as they are. But it's a very small criticism and I give the album a big thumbs up!
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Post by S.C. on Jun 14, 2005 18:58:42 GMT -5
The sound is great, but, the only way I can listen to it is in my car. The whole SACD aspect of it doesn't play in all players. I loved the CD and appreciate any art that Lara puts out, but, the songs were songs that Celine Dion would make. It was very Celine Dionish. I definitely felt Rick's absence on it. It was a great CD, but, there are only a few songs on it that are my favourites.
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Post by shavonfan on Jun 14, 2005 19:08:50 GMT -5
Yes, I agree, although I do believe that Lara holds her own without Rick. Still, your point is a good one.
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Post by S.C. on Jun 14, 2005 19:17:49 GMT -5
I agree, but, what Lara and Rick have together, musically, is dynamite.
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Post by shavonfan on Jun 14, 2005 19:23:57 GMT -5
True as that is, this posting was about the album "9", and Rick's not being on it is a fair argument. However amazing the two of them were together, they are not so on this album. That's why I believe that Lara holds up well even without him. These songs are good. Some of them even great. It's not one of my favorites of hers because of what I posted earlier about it, but I do think that it adds alot of character to her catalog as a whole.
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Post by S.C. on Jun 14, 2005 19:53:16 GMT -5
The songs are great, but, I missed Rick so much on it. Lara is definitely her own person and she is a musical force to be reckoned with. I just hope that maybe in the future Rick and Lara will collaborate again.
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Post by shavonfan on Jun 14, 2005 20:02:29 GMT -5
Well, that would be very nice for all of us as fans, but if the relationship ended and there is a lot of hurt involved, then my wish is that the two of them can succeed well on their own and find healing in what the the future brings. I agree with you in that it would be nice, but at heart I believe the real music is an expression of what really is. In that regard, my hope is for the people singing the songs, not simply the songs being sung.
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Post by S.C. on Jun 15, 2005 9:03:23 GMT -5
I never said it had to happen, just that I hope it could happen. If they can't bring themselves together again, then it's probably for the best. There is a lot of history between Lara and Rick. Some good, some bad, but, it is my hope that their deep passion for music will bring them together, musically.
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Post by shavonfan on Jun 15, 2005 19:43:07 GMT -5
There is nothing to concede here, because I agree with what you say. I'm just adding to the discussion with some of my thoughts about all of this. As is well known, I'm a Springsteen fan, so I'll expand on this theme with an example of him. After his mega-successful albums "Born In The USA" and "Live 75-85" took him over the top with celebrity, he decided to go out on his own and part with his famous "E Street Band". Especially in concert, the marriage of this artist with his lifelong friends from New Jersey was nothing less than magical. But Springsteen had a lot of art for music in him and needed to express it in a different form. While many of us Springsteen fans think him best with the "E Streeters", myself included, I appreciate that what came out of those years without them was still great stuff. In that time we were given songs like "Brilliant Disguise", "Human Touch", "If I should Fall Behind", and "I Wish I Were Blind". Fortunately, the E Street Band has reunited with Bruce, and when they perform those songs together they take on a whole new dimension. So, while I agree with you that it would be nice, I also feel that an artist like Bruce, or Lara, needs to have room to express their vision in the way it is in their heart. Sometimes that doesn't fit the mold we've come to expect, but isn't it great that singer/songwriters like this are so willing to lay it all out for us....the true expression of what's in their souls? Lara has been a very transparent artist from the beginning. She needed to do this album. I'll take it for what it is, warts and all. And I think it's beautiful.
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Post by S.C. on Jun 15, 2005 22:08:27 GMT -5
I agree! And thank you for putting it so eloquently.
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Post by shavonfan on Jun 16, 2005 18:14:25 GMT -5
Thanks....so, what are your thoughts about the flow of the album, which I mentioned at the beginning of this topic? I'm interested to know if I am the only one who feels this way about it?
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Post by S.C. on Jun 16, 2005 20:14:33 GMT -5
It's hard for me to really get into it because the songs kind of jump around like you said. Perhaps, that was Lara's intention. Before making "9" , after "9", and everything in between there, her life was pretty much a musical chaotic mess. Not to mention emotionally and physically. There was the whole disappointment of Sony not promoting "AWL", she cut the cord with Sony, and with Rick Allison. Baby girl has been through a lot, so, "9", to me is symbolism of her life past, present, and future. It's like anything in life, nothing is set in stone and life is anything but picture perfect.
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Post by shavonfan on Jun 16, 2005 20:17:14 GMT -5
Well put, and thanks for the thoughts.
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Post by ocelot on Jun 24, 2005 23:09:05 GMT -5
I agree that the flow of 9 isn't as good as the recent other albums. I'm fine with her leaving Rick Allison. The stuff she was able to do with the True North team and with Jean Felix on A Wonderful Life is incredible. I just think as far as flow I hope her Italian album flows better. I'm looking forward to her future albums.
I was disappointed in 9 I found I couldn't get into all the songs. The sound is great but she jumps around and I had gotten spoiled I guess.
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Post by shavonfan on Jun 25, 2005 10:55:33 GMT -5
It sounds like we all agree that the flow of 9 is troubling, and the "jumpy-ness" to it is a criticism we all share. The songs by themselves, though, and not taken all together as an album are still very good. Some of them would be amazing to hear live!
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