Search - Jennifer Warnes :: Love Lifts Us Up: A Collection 1968-1983

ESSENTIAL EARLY JENNIFER ANTHOLOGY...

Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 08/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the great musical 60's the Los Angeles production of the Broadway Musical "Hair" was fortunate to have Jennifer in the lead and when this soulful singer belted out "Easy To Be Hard" with passionate and smoldering intensity, you knew that A Star Was Born or at least the career of a brilliant singer had begun!! Rushing out looking for Jennifer recordings was frustrating though as the first LP "I Can Remember Everything" didn't have anything equal to what audiences were hearing in "Hair". "Chelesa Morning" and "Here There And Everywhere" are from this debut album and sound fine here but it was Jennifer's second LP "See Me, Touch Me, Feel Me, Heal Me" that fans were waiting for and it is represented here by the definitive version of "Easy To Be Hard". Jennifer is in great form throughout this eclectic album and should have become a huge star upon its release but radio refused to play Jennifer for some strange reason. Jennifer played various LA clubs that were always packed out and was always an incredible experience live in concert!!! Next songs in this great collection are from Jennifer's 1972 Reprise Records masterpiece simply titled "Jennifer" which was produced brilliantly by John Cale. This collection features five songs from "Jennifer" which sadly has not been released on compact disc and this is a really weird oversight which needs to be corrected! "In The Morning" is a rich and glorious version of the Barry Gibb original while "Sand And Foam" is a totally mesmerizing vocal with an ethereal arrangement. Jimmy Webb's "P.F. Sloan" is fascinating and his "All My Love's Laughter" features Jennifer at her soulful and passionate best and this was always a showstopper in concert. The final classic from "Jennifer" is Jackson Brown's "These Days" which was a great single that radio would not play and it is clearly another stellar vocal performance! Missing from "Jennifer" in this anthology is the haunting and mesmerizing "Be My Friend" which is one of the best ever songs from this soulful singer. Several years went by then with a last name added with the release of "Jennifer Warnes" chart success finally came with "Right Time Of The Night" and several others but this was token considering this singer's incredible talent. A stunning original "Daddy Don't Go" which is not in this collection is a raw and soulful classic that shows what is great about this gifted artist as does another Jennifer original contained in this collection being "I'm Restless". Another stunner is a gospel version of the Jagger/Richards "Shine A Light" where Jennifer lets it rip to great effect. A powerful remake of the Dionne Warwick classic "Don't Make Me Over" is a surprise and makes one wish that Jennifer would cut loose like this more often!! Personally I have always enjoyed the powerful side of Jennifer's voice as it is a great contrast to her delicate tones. A magical and haunting "It Goes Like It Goes" from "Norma Rae" is a wonder and a great duet with Joe Cocker in "Up Where We Belong" again shows how great this singer is when she loosens up and lets go!! I have wished for a Philly Soul set from Jennifer for a long time...Bravo Jennifer and thank you for sharing your wonderful gift all these years!!! If you love a great soulful voice then DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!!!!! Enjoy one of the finest..."

Much-Needed Retrospective

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 11/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Raven's "Love Lifts Us Up" is an excellent collection. It is nice to have clean digital versions of some of Jennifer Warnes' early work. Her voice has always been expressive and gorgeous. I became a fan from her appearances on TV with the Smothers Brothers and have followed her since. On this collection, her excellent rendition of early songs by Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Webb, Jackson Browne and Donovan come alive again. The liner notes are informative and give detail on Jennifer's career. On the Rolling Stones' "Shine a Light," Jennifer transforms the song and remakes it as a life-affirming anthem. She does an exquisite job on Randy Sharp's tune "Could It Be Love," a track that builds with a sexy swagger. The set closes with Tom Snow's "All the Right Moves." This is an excellent and much-needed retrospective that spans years and labels, but remains unified in the exquisite quality that is the hallmark of Jennifer Warnes' work. Wow!"

Jennifer Warnes is SO FINE!!!

Dennis Lee Cleven | Madison, WI | 05/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a long overdue compilation of Jennifer Warnes'career. I love this new CD and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It includes tracks from her two albums on the Parrot label and several from her 1972 album, "Jennifer", on Reprise. While the compilation ends at 1983, Jennifer Warnes'career still continued with the amazing "Famous Blue Raincoat" and the shamefully neglected albums "The Hunter" and "The Well". I can only hope that there will be a CD of songs from films and collaborations with other artists. If America produced a singer in the league of Dusty Springfield, it would be Jennifer Warnes. This CD of her early career is a gem and should not be overlooked. It is marvelous and it proves that her earliest work was excellent. It is the voice this woman possesses that is a great instrument. Jennifer Warnes is so, so fine. Hear her and find out for yourself. She has magic in her voice. I can only hope that we will be hearing more Jennifer Warnes music. Another compilation and a new album from this gifted artist would be a blessing to behold. Sing Jennifer, Sing!"