State of Mind

Raul Midon - State of Mind

State of Mind
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CD Details

Artist: Raul Midon
Brand: Baker & Taylor
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2005-06-07
Model: 00724357133029
Music Label: Manhattan Records
Soundtracks:
  1. State Of Mind
  2. If You're Gonna Leave
  3. Keep On Hoping
  4. Mystery Girl
  5. Waited All My Life
  6. Everybody
  7. Expressions Of Love
  8. Sittin' In The Middle (Dedicated To Donny Hathaway)
  9. Suddenly
  10. Never Get Enough
  11. Sunshine
  12. I Would Do Anything
  13. All In Your Mind

Music reviews of State of Mind

Music Review: AT LAST, SONGS!!! Expressions of Love! Mystery Girl!
Rating: 5 Stars

Of course I was anxiously awaiting the Letterman show, and Raul was as stunning as I expected! But folks, the song that he played, State of Mind, is only the tip of the iceberg. But first off, before I get to the artistry of Midon himself, let me praise this disc as an outstanding RECORDING. The production is perfectly understated but not bland, the placement order of the songs is very convincing, and the sound of Raul's voice and guitar comes through impeccably, so hats off to the great Arif Mardin for his production expertise. This recording succeeds on every level.

I've been seeing Raul for a few years now, and let me give some background. A native of New Mexico, blind from birth, Midon rose to the top of the jazz program at University of Miami, one of the most competitive programs in the world. I first saw Raul when he was still living and playing in Miami, and in those days he mixed his own unique R&B material with a healthy dose of serious jazz. This may not be apparent from this new CD, but let me say that Midon is one of the hottest acoustic guitarists in JAZZ...he would often sing a scat vocal of GIANT STEPS by Coltrane while ripping on the guitar at a level of virtuosity that is simply astonishing. He plays in the classical and flamenco style, and the jazz people at the University of Miami nicknamed him "Segovia." He also played as a member of Colombian singer Shakira's band on the road for some time, and he is a master of Afro-Latin rhythms, a formidable percussionist in his own right. He finally realized that NYC is the place for a musician of his calibre, and after moving there, he has astounded everyone.

So...we have a jazz and Latin music virtuoso who also happens to be one of the most soulful vocalists and songwriters out there. Raul Midon is a musician's musician, but he's also the non-musician's musician, with some of the best LOVE BALLADS you'll ever hear. Lyrically, he is nothing less than a Ray Of Sunshine, a true Brother Of The Light, bringing positivity, love, and light into this world. As a composer, he knows how to give each song its own unique twist. Although his writing is crafted in the R&B tradition of Stevie Wonder (who appears on this album) and Curtis Mayfield, he finds little ways to inject his jazz chops on the guitar: brief flashes of virtuosity (check the solo on Mystery Girl) and unusual chord progressions in the Steely Dan vein. Midon has had a full band in the past, but recently he has preferred to play as a solo acoustic artist. This CD is in that vein, and is well produced by Arif Mardin, who obviously understood that Midon would shine the brightest in an intimate acoustic setting.

Every track here is outstanding, but if I had to pick highlights, pay special attention to the closing track, All In Your Mind (a stunning look at life through the eyes of a blind person), or the song with Stevie Wonder's harmonica solo, which is Expressions of Love! Never mind Stevie, he's great on this, but the song itself is SO worthy of our attention...a song of hope and rebirth for those of us who have suffered in love. I've cried over this song, and that is a blessing. And the real classic LOVE BALLAD is the funky, soulful Mystery Girl...this is the one song that will knock you out completely. But again, every song is a gem. This is a formidable debut. I've been waiting for this CD for years, and even though I'm a longtime Midon fan, this disc has still exceeded my expectations. I'm going to have a hard time removing it from my player. The tasteful production and high quality of material stand up to repeated listenings. This is what real music sounds like. When music can bring tears and joy, you know it's real. And it's real Raul. We are all very fortunate that he has arrived, because I promise you that he is going to take us to some very beautiful places in the future where we need to go.
More State of Mind free music reviews:
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Description of State of Mind

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Raul Midon?s debut State of Mind is the sort of CD that makes R&B tastemakers twitch with pleasure. These 13 tracks are so supple, round and rich it?s safe to say the blind, New Mexico-born, half-Argentinean R&B/jazz artist is a unique hybrid of Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. There has been a lot of speculation as to whether his sightlessness has helped Midon arrive at his Wonder-esque soul and scary-real talent. Weigh in if you want, but don't expect to arrive at any satisfying conclusions. Midon, like Wonder, Hathaway, and Al Jarreau, is the rare artist so clearly delivered to this earth for the sole purpose of making beautiful music. Drawing from pop, reggae, jazz, Afro-Cuban, and flamenco wells, Midon twists together a wonderful genre grab-bag strong enough to rival Seal. Two highlights, on an album full of them, arrive on track seven "Expressions of Love," when Stevie Wonder steps in for a harmonica solo, and on "Keep on Hoping," where Midon duets with the talented folk/ blues artist Jason Mraz. -Tammy La Gorce

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