She Has A SERIOUS MESSAGE-are you listening??????
I first heard You Gotta Be, and was very pleased with positive lyrics in a time of total absurdities (the 90's and Unfortunately-the current times).Bought the Cd, and have been playing it ever since.I cannot state in words how much I like the title track-it brings me to tears!! If everybody was forced to listen to this cd, the world would be a better place, and everybody would be more grounded in the reality of what life really means, instead of absurdities like Jerry Springer,and the various disgusting displays of the worst of humanity which permeate the afternoon tv airwaves.Herald the day says it all,honesty always pays,people can only blame themselves for their mistakes,just mend your ways .We are unfortunately living in a crazy maze-much crazier than 1994, when this came out!! A truly great artist who doesnt play the commercial game most contemporary artists do.The Fender rhodes electric piano on Living in the city reminds me of Songs In The Key Of Life(Stevie Wonder)-THE MOST INCREDIBLE ALBUM EVER. If you can still find it-the CD single of Feel So HIGH has an outstanding rare bluesy track called Innocent and Naive. PS.I'm also an IRON MAIDEN fan,so never judge anything or anybody until you've seen things from their point of view.Believe it or not,Iron Maiden has a few songs not unlike what are on this DESREE cd, even with the positive messages.Next time you see a kid with the grunge look,he just might be a desree fan!!!!
An underrated artist
Des'ree's lyrics are thoughtful and inspirational, and I think it's a real shame that she hasn't been received that well on a national scale on the radio. Her "Gotta Be" video was in heavy rotation on VH1, but I hardly ever heard her music on the radio. With all of the third-rate, meaningless music flooding the airwaves, you would think that more folks would be clamoring for more substantial fare. Released in 1994, right before the wave of neosoul artists arrived on the scene, maybe Des'ree was just ahead of her time with this CD."You Gotta Be" is my personal theme song and for a while there I used to play it every morning before I left the house. "You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser. You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger." I love it!
My other favorite "Feel So High," was featured in the motion picture "Set it Off," which undoubtedly broadened the artist's exposure because she surely wasn't getting much love from urban radio. This was the first that many people heard of her, and what an introduction! "Feel So High," finds her singing about being totally into a lover while trying to control herself. Lots of nice metaphors here: "When I touch your sky, I want my joy to be discreet, can't seem to hide the feeling that you knock me off my feet." It works because it's unabashed without being explicit.
I like this CD because Des'ree is really smooth and understated. She kind of puts me in mind of Sade in that respect, but her lyrics are not quite as depressing. This is cool and intelligent music.
I FEEL SO HIGH!
Des'ree second delivery is full with smooth pop gems that exposed the different stages of love, a great slick production that flows throughly without any attmeptimg to change Des'ree direction of taking over her music, wich is pure and simple love songs, this album is truly a chillout one and it will suit any peaceful occation, not a party stomper though. Great album that includes such highlights like the unfairly charted single "Feel So High"(my personal fav), the ever radio played "You Gotta Be" and "Little Child", a great songtress a great sound, such a delight.
A beautiful work that never got its due.
Des'ree. I Ain't Movin. What can I say that isn't self-evident? This is one of the most beautiful, moving albums I've ever listened to, done by a true artist with an absolutely wonderful voice. Oh, and there's nothing the least bit banal or tiresome about her music. And while she has a message...several messages, in fact...she doesn't hit you over the head with them. There's not a single unlistenable, cringe-inducing, or hard on the ears track here, not one. Did I mention that she has an absolutely wonderful voice?
There are many albums worth 5 stars; I Ain't Movin' is a 5 star album OF 5 star albums. It's that good.
Sweet and soulful.
This is an excellent CD that has far more to offer than the hit "You gotta be." Just about every track on this CD shines, with the notable exceptions of "Love is here," the obligitory attempt at a piano and vocal exercise that never quite rises to the occasion, and "I ain'y movin (Percussion Reprise)," the obligitory reprise attempt that just about every artist in the genre seemed to be doing during this time period. The first ten tracks are all gems though, so this CD would make a very worthwhile intro to Des'ree`.
This Black Londoner of Barbadian descent truly snuck up on the pop world with this 1994 disc, her second recording. Her ode to self-reliance and persistence, "You Gotta Be," rode lilting pop jazz backing to widespread acceptance (except, curiously, on "urban" radio, where her sound was deemed not black enough). The inspired video of the song became a staple at VH1. The single is indicative of the rest of the album. Most of it was written after a painful breakup with a long-time beau, so her focus is on trumpeting resilience and self-nurturing themes. Her creamy voice and austere but swinging backing make it work. --Martin Johnson
