Cyndi Lauper - Memphis Blues
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CD Details
Artist: Cyndi LauperEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2010-06-21
Music Label: Downtown
Soundtracks:
- I'm Just Your Fool (feat. Charlie Musselwhite)
- Shattered Dreams (feat. Allen Toussaint)
- Early in the Morning (feat. Allen Toussaint & B.B. King)
- Romance in the Dark
- How Blue Can You Get (feat. Jonny Lang)
- Down Don t Bother Me (feat. Charlie Musselwhite)
- Don't Cry No More
- Rollin and Tumblin (feat. Kenny Brown and Ann Peebles)
- Down So Low
- Mother Earth (feat. Allen Toussaint)
- Cross Roads (feat. Jonny Lang)
Music reviews of Memphis Blues
Music Review: The Music Will Have You Wanting To Visit MEMPHIS...The Vocals Will Have You Singing The BLUES
Rating: 3 Stars
Breaking glass. Howling dogs. Bleeding eardrums. These are just a few of the things that come to mind after a listen or two of Cyndi Lauper's uneven new CD MEMPHIS BLUES.
Mind you, it's not that the disc is a BAD album...in fact, musically it merits four stars at the very least. But this isn't an instrumental album, and it's in the area of vocals where things really suffer.
And that's too bad, particularly after the one/two vocal powerhouse punch of 2003'S AT LAST and 2005'S THE BODY ACOUSTIC (We won't mention the giant step backwards taken with BRING YA TO THE BRINK in 2008, which, for me, was all style over substance).
By reverting back much of the time here to her "little-girl-on-hellium" vocals, Lauper loses all the soul and depth that is required to really sing (i.e. FEEL) the Blues (Nor does shouting count). Consequently, this seems more the work of the performer/character Cyndi Lauper of days gone by vs. the true SINGER that had started to really break thru on the aforementioned AT LAST and THE BODY ACOUSTIC (And, yes, I know Lauper has had some great vocal tracks before those two albums...I just really feel she took it to the next level with these two discs, reinventing herself in the exact way she needed to as she hit her 50's).
Things kick off with the blistering "Just Your Fool." Anchored by Charlie Musselwhite's brilliant harmonica playing, the track bops along at an infectious pace. In fact, it's just Lauper's lead vocal that seems to be struggling to keep up with the pack. (Though, I have to admit...I love the line about Jackie Chan!).
Once again, it's the music that shines on "Shattered Dreams." Allen Toussaint's piano runs are just stunning, while the horn arrangement is tight and taut. All in all, very nice. Lauper's lead vocal, however, is hollow and by the number. And when she starts wailing near the end....talk about "shattered dreams!" MAJOR misstep.
The Kewpie Doll vocals actually work on "Early In The Mornin'"; Lauper comes across as both fun and flirty, sexy and sly. Toss in Toussaint's rippling piano and the joyful guitar and vocal skills of the one and only B.B. King and you have one of the few cuts on MEMPHIS BLUES that feels organic, real and right (vs. gimmicky).
"Romance In The Dark" has a nice slow, sultry vibe to it...everything just sort of comes together. Lauper's lead vocal is both authentic and honest, while the arrangement is relaxed and smooth. Add some steamy lyrics and you have another one of MEMPHIS BLUES' true winners, a track that works in every way.
"How Blue Can You Get?" doesn't work quite as well, but it comes close. The arrangement is compact, with the instrumentation spot-on. Jonny Lang's guitar riffs just kill, while his vocals fit right in. In fact, once again it's Lauper's lead vocal that's the only real false note...it's not an awful vocal, but it's not an honest one either. It's almost like she's playing dress-up.
Things rebound a bit on "Down Don't Bother Me." Yet again, you have Musselwhite's amazing harmonica front and center, adding something to the arrangement that is beyond priceless. You also have a lead vocal from Lauper that's unforced and true...she's not trying to prove or be anything here, she's just singing for the joy of singing. VERY nice.
"Don't Cry No More" could have been one of my favorite tracks on the disc, what with it's jumpin' arrangement. Chunky horns, sparkling keyboards, popping percussion....this groove is pop music at it's most perfect. But then....yes, Lauper's vocals come into the mix....shrill, hiccupy and sloppy, it sucks the life right out of an otherwise fantastic cut.
Without a doubt, though, the album's true apex is the rollicking "Rollin' And Tumblin'." From Kenny Brown's scorching slide guitar to Amy Lavere's pulsating bass, the instrumentation is amazing throughout. However, it's the vocals that REALLY shine here....Lauper matches duet partner Ann Peebles note for note, with an end result that is nothing short of classic. Now THAT'S how you sing the Blues!!
"Down So Low" is also in the "Winner" column. There's something slow and smokey about the arrangement, resulting in a track that just sort of tumbles out of the speakers. Lauper's vocal is O.K., but I wish she had taken it down a notch or two...I think a slightly lower register would have enhanced the track quite a bit more. Still, a nice cut.
We have yet another gem in "Mother Earth." All bluesy and boozy, the song just swaggers and slinks along, with Toussaint's piano taking center stage once more (To say the man is astonishing is saying alot, but every syllable would be the truth). Lauper's vocal keeps pace, all assured, authoratative and authentic. MEMPHIS BLUES' sexiest cut.
I would have been happy if things ended there, but the disc actually wraps up with "Crossroads." While both Lauper and Jonny Lang turn in respectable performances, the track just isn't as strong, earthy or real as the previous cut. Consequently, the disc closes on a somewhat hollow/shallow, almost forced, note.
And therein lies the main problem with much of MEMPHIS BLUES. While Cyndi Lauper may have mad respect for the greats who paved the way for others, you can't just pull a genre on like you do a tulle head wrap and paper skirt. You need the guts and the voice to do it as well, and Lauper just doesn't. No, I take that back....based on AT LAST, THE BODY ACOUSTIC and numerous cuts over the years,she DOES have the voice. But you also have to FEEL it, vs. ACT it, or it's just so much ill-fitting window dressing, a child playing fantasy dress-up. And Cyndi Lauper's days of dress-up should be well behind her. (As with all my reviews,I'm docking the disc half a star for not including the lyrics. Shame on you, Cyndi...if you really wanted to pay tribute to these classics, well, these words deservrd to be read!).
Description of Memphis Blues
2010 album from the Pop diva, a traditional Memphis Blues album featuring guest appearances from Jonny Lang, B.B. King and others. After more than 20 sterling years and global record sales in excess of 25 million, Cyndi Lauper has proven that she has the heart and soul to keep her legion of fans compelled by her every creative move. With her first album She's So Unusual, Cyndi won a Grammy award for Best New Artist and became the first female artist in history to have five Top 10 singles from a debut album. Along the way, she has continually won accolades as a singer, musician, actress, and writer.Blues CDs
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