Search - Sophie B Hawkins :: Timbre (Bonus CD)

John P. from PURCHASE, NY
Reviewed on 3/30/2007...

This album has only one disc - not sure why the listing says two.

Travelling Light.

Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 04/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It was a smart move for Hawkins to take 1999's "Timbre" back from her record company and re-release it this year on her own label. Maybe now it will get the exposure it deserves. Hawkins has always been more than 1992's hit "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" and through the course of her three studio cds she has grown as a singer/songwriter. On "Timbre" she delves into self analysis on songs like "The Darkest Childe", "I Walk Alone" and "Walking In My Blue Jeans". Unlike her contemporaries (Alanis Morissette, Jewel, Joan Osborne, Ani Difranco, Tori Amos, etc.) Hawkins infuses her observations with some upbeat melodies like "Mmm My Best Friend", "No Connection", "32 Lines" and "Lose Your Way". Although I liked 1994's "Whaler" slightly better than "Timbre", the re-release comes with a bonus disc of two new demo songs "You Turn Me On" and "Travelling Light" plus the demo of "No Connection" and a remix of "Walking In My Blue Jeans" and two different versions of "Lose Your Way" which make this purchase more enticing. I think Sophie's music deserves more attention and respect, but then again, I like having artists like her out there--someone who makes great music and doesn't get overplayed (with the exception of "As I Lay Me Down", but I could listen to that a billion times and never get tired of hearing it.) If you haven't heard Sophie in a while, pick up a copy of "Timbre"."

A great singer, songwriter and boxer!

John A. Gregorio | Castalian Springs, TN | 04/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In case you live in a sound vacuum, here is the basic history of this work. Ms. Hawkins has fought Sony over this album during and after production. Like others who have fought the industry to maintain their integrity and the integrity of the work, it has been a long hard battle. But, the fans of Ms. Hawkins formed a "Cracker Army" and came to her aid. This record was released on Sony without changes to "increase sales." Yet, Sony may have had the last word by a lack of promotion for the cd etc. Would this stop, her?? No way. Ms. Hawkins arms are NOT to short to box with the self-made Gods of Sonyland! She has released the cd on her own label, with help from Rykodisc, and has added an enhance disc to boot. The original cd on Sony was a five star cd and so is this one. I am not sure if the enhance cd adds anything except to her fans, like me, who are happy to get any music/video from her. Even her demos are great. I recommend buying this CD whether you have the other, anyway, if only to support her efforts to create art on the artist's terms! And if you don't have this CD...you are missing a work of great music, and lyrics which are not of the pablum we get in most of today's work. Original and thought provoking."