Lenny Kravitz - Mama Said
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Free Music Notes for Mama Said
Free Music Review: BEST CD EVER
Hit: 5 Stars
Perfect. Every track. 9 years running.Free Music Review: The beginning of a darker Lenny Kravitz emerging
Hit: 4 Stars
Lenny Kravitz's 1989 debut LET LOVE RULE was the ultimate in playing spot-the-influence & that was how his early music sounded. With time, he'd internalize his inspirations, but with his first few albums he hadn't learned that yet. Following up the great-but-no-masterpiece affair that was LET LOVE RULE wasn't going to be easy for Lenny & but he managed to do it one better with 1991's MAMA SAID. Probably realizing his fixation with the '60s on LET LOVE RULE was a little much, Lenny decided to update himself a bit with some early 1970s soul on MAMA SAID. It was that change that would finally give Lenny some long-overdue commercial success.
"It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" I'm sure shocked even Lenny with it peaking at #2 on the pop charts in 1991. The use of analog recording equipment no doubt contributed to this sounding like something you'd hear from your local oldies radio station than modern top 40. The novelty must have been quite inviting for listeners who weren't yet bombarded by the coming grunge storm from Seattle. The old-school sound is furthered on "More Than Anything In This World", "Stand By My Woman" & "All I Ever Wanted". Making these songs more interesting is the fact that Lenny's marriage to actress Lisa Bonet was crumbling at the time MAMA SAID was recorded.
The rock-tinged sound of the follow-up ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY (1993) is hinted on "Always On The Run" (which could have been on the soundtrack for any blaxploitation film), "Difference Is Why", "Stop Draggin' Around" & "What The [...] Are We Saying?". This also foreshadows the angry, darker soundscape of 1995's CIRCUS.
While the influences still continue to control Lenny a bit on MAMA SAID, the only real snags are those songs that sound like LET LOVE RULE outtakes. "Fields Of Joy", its mid-album reprise, "Butterfly" & "Flowers For Zoe" (written as a lullaby for Lenny's daughter) are somewhat enjoyable, but a bit out of place on an album that was supposed to be about slowly bring Lenny away from his hippie identity.
Some have called MAMA SAID Lenny Kravitz's divorce record, but it isn't all the way through. Of course, his marriage falling apart contributed to the darker tone of the record, but to say all of it is about Lenny trying to patch things up would be overestimating it. Granted, he is still trying to iron out the rough spots in his sound, but Lenny seems a bit more sure of himself than he did on LET LOVE RULE. Who knew that Lenny would finally blossom on his next album?
Free Music Review: LENNY KRAVITZ AND HIS PERFECT INPERFECTIONS
Hit: 4 Stars
As a late blooming Lenny Kravitz fan who now is turning into a semi-ardent supporter ,I have to say that 1991's "Mama's Said" is one his best albums and one of my favorites these days.
Yes,a lot of the songs are tinny sounding depulicants of Lenny's
many '60s/'70s influences(Lennon,Sly,Hendrix...the usual suspects) and some of the lyrics could be stronger BUT Len's
drive and determation as well as pleasant songs make up for the couple weak spots.
"Mama Said"-the follow up to Kravitz' flower power-homage debut
1989's "Let Love Rule"-is an album that is dedicated to Lenny's
then-ex wife... Lisa Bonet(whom I had a major crush on,
during her days as the sweet,caring Denise Huxtable on "Cosby Show" and "A Different World"!).In fact,six of "Mama's" songs are dedicated to her.
The highlights on "Mama Said" are the funky,(Sly-rip) "Always On The Run",which features crisp drums,jaunty horns, and a riveting guitar solo by former Guns N Roses guitarist Slash;the lovelorn,Lisa-deciated
"Stand By My Woman",although it's a bit elementary,Lenny's yearning vocals make the song authentic;
the plesant(Curtis Mayfield/Smokey Robinson rip) "It Ain't Over Till It's Over" is a keeper.A #2 hit in '91(it would be his only top ten hit until 2001),it's drifty,analog feel sound truly late '60s yet '90s in it's approach.I've always loved this song,it reminds me of "The Cosby Show" everytime I hear it!
Concidentally,those aforementioned three songs were released as singles (and can also be found on the "Greatest Hits") BUT the singles aren't the only things going on on "Mama Said".
Altough most of the non-singles are spotty,the delicate,acoustic
"Butterfly" and "Flowers For Zoe"-a dedication for his now 13-year daughter with Bonet,Zoe-are the worthy album cuts that so the senstive side of Lenny in full effect(remember this guy is a Gemini!-he has many sides!)
Yes,I am a big Lenny Kravitz fan.His pure(yet unoriginal) musical style and adventrous(yet somewhat flamboyant) fashion sense are sincere and possibly "Mama Said" may be his best album...maybe not,but it'll always be one of my favorites.
Free Music Review: LENNY KRAVITZ AND HIS PERFECT INPERFECTIONS
Hit: 4 Stars
As a late blooming Lenny Kravitz supporter who now is turning into somewhat of a stylistic idol for me in a way,I have to say that 1991's "Mama's Said" is one his best albums and one of my favorites these days.Yes,a lot of the songs are tinny sounding depulicants of Lenny's
many '60s/'70s influences(Lennon,Sly,Hendrix...the usual suspects) and some of the lyrics could be stronger BUT the Len's
drive and determation(as well as his charm) as well as pleasant songs make up for the couple weak spots.
"Mama Said"-the followup to Kravitz' flower power-homage debut
1989's "Let Love Rule"-is an album that is dedicated to Lenny's
then-ex wife... Lisa Bonet... In fact,six of "Mama's" songs are dedicated to her.
The highlights on "Mama Said" are the funky,(Sly-rip) "Always On The Run",which features crisp drums and a riveting guitar solo by former Guns N Roses guitarist Slash;the lovelorn,Lisa-deciated
"Stand By My Woman",although it's lyrics sound a tad too elementary,Lenny's yearning vocals make the song authentic;
the plesant(Curtis Mayfield/Smokey Robinson rip) "It Ain't Over Till It's Over" is a keeper.A #2 hit in '91(it would be his only top ten hit until 2001),it's drifty,analog feel sound truly late '60s yet '90s in it's approach.I'll love this song,it reminds me of "The Cosby Show" everytime I hear it!
Concidentally,those aforementioned three songs were released as singles (and can also be found on the "Greatest Hits") BUT the singles aren't the only things going on on "Mama Said".
Altough most of the non-singles are spotty,the delicate,acoustic
"Butterfly" and "Flowers For Zoe"-a dedication for his now 13-year daughter with Bonet,Zoe-are the worthy album cuts that so the senstive side of Lenny in full effect(remember this guy is a Gemini!).
Yes,I am a big Lenny Kravitz fan.His pure(yet unoriginal) musical style and adventrous(yet somewhat flamboyant) fashion sense are sincere and possibly "Mama Said" may be his best album...maybe not,but it'll always be one of my favorites.
Free Music Review: Jack of all trades, master of plenty
Hit: 4 Stars
Lenny Kravitz's unique talent lies in his natural ability to marry the sounds of the 1960s with those of today. A trained voice and an ability to write songs and play drums, guitar, bass guitar, sitar and the keyboards also helps.By resisting the temptations of rap, house and hip-hop, the former choir and opera singer has become a sanctuary for those listeners jaded with the sounds of many of his contemporaries.
The Beatles' influence throughout the album is unmistakable and there are the occasional brushes with 1960s psychadelia.
Kravitz has opted against an over-produced sound and kept it nice, simple and sometimes quiet. He peppers it however, with the odd harsh word and some punchy guitar work with the help of Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.
Mama Said is another indication that Kravitz has carved himself a roomy niche from which we will be hearing him for some time.