Simply Singin'!
Alan Russo | Cambridge, MA USA | 04/27/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This 1977 Arista release was Melissa's 6th LP. After establishing her career as a singer/songwriter, Singin' was designed to showcase her vocal ability as well as the ability to interpret current songwriters' songs. The results were mixed by critics, but enbraced by most fans. There was only one song written by Melissa called "No Ones Ever Seen This Side Of Me". It was the B-side to the single "I Wanna Be Where You Are" (a Michael Jackson hit in '72 and written by Leon Ware and Diana Ross's brother T-boy Ross). The direction of the music is a combination of light jazz, uptempo and ballads. Transfered to CD on this Japan release is superb! Packaging is genuine as the original release, with the addition of lyrics and a bio in Japanese. Although most of the songs were played on A/C rock stations at the time, none of them became bonafide hits. Some of the most popular tracks were the John Miles ballad "Time" and Average White Bands' jazz ballad "A Love Of Your Own". She also delivers a rousing version of Sly & The Family Stone's "Stand", James Taylor ballad "You Make It Easy", Beach Boys' "Warmth Of The Sun" and Three Dog Night's playful hit "Let Me Serenade You". Another popular track is a slow jazz Wendy Waldman track "My Love Is Alll I Know". Last but not least is the opening track, "Sad Eyes", a surupy ballad that didn't quite move me.
Since there is still not too much of Melissa available on CD, this is definitely worth the investment.
Also note that the follow up to this Singin' concept LP, came in 1989 with her Tribute CD. She recorded songs by her favorite singers and her voice is in top form!"
Not one of Melissa's best albums, but well worth the money!
Mickey Frith | Nashville, TN | 02/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While I am still anxious to hear how the Japanese record companies would handle Melissa's first two albums, HOME TO MYSELF and BRIGHT EYES, I am nevertheless very pleased with the job they've done on this reissue of SINGIN'. The artwork and sound quality are superb.This leaves only three stand-out albums from Melissa's Bell/Arista catalog that have not seen the light of CD day (the two I mentioned above and HELP IS ON THE WAY), so my fingers are crossed. Actually, so are my eyes, toes, and legs! :-) (I'm not counting her EMERGENCY album from the 80's, which I would love to have on CD because I'm a completist, but I would rather have her 70's albums on CD first.)"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
