Search - Michael Franks :: Abandoned Garden

MICHAEL FRANKS' BEST ALBUM

bispro | France | 12/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Full of delicate melodies, intricate lyrics, mellow singing and nostalgia, this album is a must. Being a Michael Franks fan for many years, I haven't heard any of his other projects that satisfies me more than this.Unlike the usual blend of uptempo stuff and slower, more relaxed tracks (of which 'Dragonfly Summer' is certainly the best example), this collection of songs displays a rare unity of sound and purpose, with the ghost of Antonio Carlos ("Tom") Jobim (his recently-lost friend to whom he dedicated the opus), haunting the whole album.Don't get me wrong though, this album is everything but sad and morbid; just like bossa, I'd describe it as 'joyous sadness'. Michael and Tom's co-penned song "Cinema" is an instant classic; "Hourglass" is a beautiful personification of time as a woman, while "Abandoned Garden", the closing tribute song to the friend and master, will easily bring tears to your eyes if you let yourself be touched by its words and atmosphere.I often regret that some of my prefered artists are not very well known by the general public, but in the case of Michael Franks, I'm glad, because he can go on enchanting us by just being himself: the coolest poet of jazz."

Classic Franks

Thomas L. Bennett | Indented Head, Victoria Australia | 12/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Michael Franks repertoire is typically cool, hip and sexy-smart.His music is from an elegant genre of uptown jazz laced with the subtle nuances of Jobim's Brazil.There are no jagged edges here. There's intimacy, emotion and a soft observational quality coupled to a melody line that is simultaneously familiar and fresh.His songs are intelligent, but never degenerate into being "clever".On "Abandoned Garden" Franks morns the loss of his mentor, friend and hero Antonio Carlos Jobim. The influence of that great man from Rio has been evident throughout Franks' career. The songs here are slightly more reflective than on previous Franks' offerings but every bit as stylish, classy and intelligent.Quite a talent this Michael Franks!"

It Takes me away to another place

Wayne Eagleson | Brisbane , Australia | 08/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recently purchased both "Abandoned Garden" and "Dragonfly Summer".I have been an admirer of Michael Franks' work since I first heard "Meet me in the Deerpark" way back in the mid seventies.Although brought up on "popular" and rock music, and having some knowledge of music, to me there's just no other artist quite like michael Franks. Whilst "Abandoned Garden" is a more mellow outing, it continues the distictive style that takes you to the heart of his music. I can imagine that some people may consider some of this album repetitive or dare I say it, boring; but like all good music, you need to go below the surface and explore the deeper feelings and emotions. Michael Franks has had a long held respect for the late Antonio Carlos Jobim, and his memorial to him must have been both fulfilling and tinged with sadness. In my case, the purchase of this CD coinsided with the death of my mother and I can only say that songs from this CD plus "Dragonfly Summer" will be forever etched in my mind and heart."