Leona Lewis - Spirit
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.22 You Save: $3.76 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.00 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Spirit
Free Music Review: The most gifted and talented idol EVER!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I was never into any of the American Idols or X Factor winners for the longest time. I just always felt like artists should work hard and make a demo and send it to the record companies and still feel like this for the most part. The exception is this powerful force, Leona.
Not since 1991 when I discovered Mariah Carey has any female artist moved me or blown me away or amazed me or sent shivers down my spine the way Leona does. Leona far surpasses Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, and any other female artist since Mariah Carey.
Leona sings with so much soul and emotion and passion and it breaks my heart greatly to read that people think Kelly Clarkson is still better than Leona. Anyone who really listens to Leona will realize or should realize that Leona is just a powerhouse that Kelly could only dream of becoming. When I was watching both performances by Leona and Kelly of A Moment Like This, I could hear and see the emotion in Leona's performance and Simon, wow. Simon has never acted so excited for any idol like he has with Leona. I never saw Simon so excited like that with Kelly and it's because Leona is the REAL deal!
I find myself on the verge of tears with pretty much every song on here because Leona's voice is just so breathtaking. I also find myself stop breathing during many times throughout the album due to her incredible power. You just cannot call yourself a true vocalist fan and not fall in love with Leona as a singer. She sings in so many different ways and tones and every song is incredible.
The two songs on this album that just really move me the most and completely make me a true fan of Leona are Take A Bow and Footprints In the Sand. It's as if Leona wrote these songs just for me. I feel like this whole album was made just for me but these two especially are my #1 favorites tied.
Take A Bow is just so epic and I love everything about the song lyrically, musically, melodically and vocally. I really love the whole theme of this song and reminds me of Phantom Of The Opera and my favorite actor Charles Dance and my favorite actress Dame Judi Dench. This is what should be Leona's second single and deserves to get #1. I just cannot get enough of this song and cannot recommend it enough. It has #1 written all over it!
Footprints In The Sand is a beautiful Gospel ballad that is based off the Footprints passage written by Mary Stevenson:
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
To him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
He looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
Again, the melody, lyrics, music and vocals are just simply breathtaking. Leona won me over with this beautiful ballad.
Bleeding Love is my next favorite after Take A Bow and Footprints In The Sand. It definitely deserved #1 and I just LOVE the way she sings on this song.
I also bought the UK version prior to this version which has another amazing ballad called Homeless. It is so emotional and powerful and recommend listening to that track as soon as possible. They removed that masterpiece from this US release which is a shame but the album is flawless regardless.
Leona's version of First Time Ever I Saw Your Face completely blows the other versions out of the water. I've always loved Celine's version and never thought I'd love another version more until I heard Leona's. Leona sings this with such passion and emotion.
Here I Am is an awesome album closer and just one of the greatest ballads ever. Another masterpiece!
Every song on this album is incredible and full of power and soul and emotion and different styles and it really deserves to be #1. If you love the TRUE singing with power, you will not be disappointed with this album. Leona is everything I love about vocalists and she IS music itself. Don't pass this album up just because you may feel it's just a wanna-be singer. Leona is not just a singer. She is a force to be reckoned with who has the potential to be just as successful as Mariah, Whitney and Celine.
Free Music Review: My review of Leona Lewis - Spirit
Hit: 5 Stars
The most gifted and talented idol EVER!!
I was never into any of the American Idols or X Factor winners for the longest time. I just always felt like artists should work hard and make a demo and send it to the record companies and still feel like this for the most part. The exception is this powerful force, Leona.
Not since 1991 when I discovered Mariah Carey has any female artist moved me or blown me away or amazed me or sent shivers down my spine the way Leona does. Leona far surpasses Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, and any other female artist since Mariah Carey.
Leona sings with so much soul and emotion and passion and it breaks my heart greatly to read that people think Kelly Clarkson is still better than Leona. Anyone who really listens to Leona will realize or should realize that Leona is just a powerhouse that Kelly could only dream of becoming. When I was watching both performances by Leona and Kelly of A Moment Like This, I could hear and see the emotion in Leona's performance and Simon, wow. Simon has never acted so excited for any idol like he has with Leona. I never saw Simon so excited like that with Kelly and it's because Leona is the REAL deal!
I find myself on the verge of tears with pretty much every song on here because Leona's voice is just so breathtaking. I also find myself stop breathing during many times throughout the album due to her incredible power. You just cannot call yourself a true vocalist fan and not fall in love with Leona as a singer. She sings in so many different ways and tones and every song is incredible.
The two songs on this album that just really move me the most and completely make me a true fan of Leona are Take A Bow and Footprints In the Sand. It's as if Leona wrote these songs just for me. I feel like this whole album was made just for me but these two especially are my #1 favorites tied.
Take A Bow is just so epic and I love everything about the song lyrically, musically, melodically and vocally. I really love the whole theme of this song and reminds me of Phantom Of The Opera and my favorite actor Charles Dance and my favorite actress Dame Judi Dench. This is what should be Leona's second single and deserves to get #1. I just cannot get enough of this song and cannot recommend it enough. It has #1 written all over it!
Again, the melody, lyrics, music and vocals are just simply breathtaking. Leona won me over with this beautiful ballad.
Bleeding Love is my next favorite after Take A Bow and Footprints In The Sand. It definitely deserved #1 and I just LOVE the way she sings on this song.
I also bought the UK version prior to this version which has another amazing ballad called Homeless. It is so emotional and powerful and recommend listening to that track as soon as possible. They removed that masterpiece from this US release which is a shame but the album is flawless regardless.
Leona's version of First Time Ever I Saw Your Face completely blows the other versions out of the water. I've always loved Celine's version and never thought I'd love another version more until I heard Leona's. Leona sings this with such passion and emotion.
Here I Am is an awesome album closer and just one of the greatest ballads ever. Another masterpiece!
Every song on this album is incredible and full of power and soul and emotion and different styles and it really deserves to be #1. If you love the TRUE singing with power, you will not be disappointed with this album. Leona is everything I love about vocalists and she IS music itself. Don't pass this album up just because you may feel it's just a wanna-be singer. Leona is not just a singer. She is a force to be reckoned with who has the potential to be just as successful as Mariah, Whitney and Celine.
Free Music Review: A Stunning Debut From A Stunning Artist
Hit: 5 Stars
I first found Leona Lewis one day when I was browsing on iTunes. This song, "Bleeding Love," came up and I gave it a try. I listened to the 30 second clip and thought it was worthy of my purchase, so I did. It never got much play until one day, on my way home, I was craving it. Now it is my #2 most played song.
So I was ecstatic when Lewis's CD was released in the states FINALLY! I ran out and bought it the day it was released and I have NO regrets!!!
Mariah Carey? Please no. Leona Lewis is FAR better than that talentless diva people seem to worship (For reasons still unknown to me. I've heard Carey's music...it's really not music...AND at least Leona won't melt if she sits close to a fire).
So let's see...
-Bleeding Love- Like I said, #2 most played song. I absolutely love it and can NEVER turn it off in the middle of its play.
-Better In Time- This is Lewis's 2nd single release in Europe and I hope she does the same over here. It has so many beautiful elements: good music, good hooks and fantastic lyrics "I'm gonna smile because I deserve to..." Ahh...
-I Will Be- Co-Written by Avril Lavigne, this song is definitely a stand out track. Leona really shows off some power notes towards the end. The song starts off fairly simple and builds and builds to this incredible climax and she let's loose!
-I'm You- When I heard this song, I felt myself go, "WHOA!" and not in the good way. I just...don't like it. The elements of the Middle Eastern sitar just don't fit. I like the intentions behind trying to blend cultural music, but it didn't really work here.
-Forgive Me- Written by Akon...does he really need to announce it in every song he writes? It's almost a turn off to randomly hear, "CONVICT!" in the middle of a song. No Akon, be quiet. But this is a good song otherwise.
-Misses Glasses- My only miff with this song is the title, but it's one of my favorites. I like its beat and the chorus is pretty infectious.
-Angel- At first, I didn't think much of this song. But like with "Bleeding Love," I began craving it. Another stand out.
-The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face- Ehh...this song is okay. It's just too mellow for me and I just don't feel like it goes anywhere.
-Yesterday- This really is a beautiful song and it carries a wonderful message. Leona delivers this song with so much emotion that you almost feel like you're sitting directly next to her while she exposes her soul.
-Whatever It Takes- Be proud of Miss Leona Lewis! She helped write this one and it's been one of my favorites since I first heard samples of the songs.
-Take A Bow- I'm thinking this is my 2nd favorite song on the album. At first I thought the music was an odd combination with her voice, but I grew to appreciate how they cooperate and I am addicted to this song.
-Footprints In The Sand- An incredibly gorgeous and thought provoking song. I love it.
-Here I Am- This is the album's closer. It's down tempo, and let's Leona show off her soulful side. Lewis also co-wrote this song.
All in all, yes, I do believe she is one of the best performers out there right now. I recommend this CD to virtually everyone.
Free Music Review: Emotional, beautifully sung and crafted songs make this one a stand out!
Hit: 5 Stars
All hype aside, Spirit comes across as an original and creative album with many catchy tunes, hooks and beats. It is not a cookie-cutter album, not another conventional post-singing reality contest album with a generic "I am a star now" single released. The songwriting is top notch, production is slick but what makes this album special, is that has the Leona spirit. The songs fit her personality, stage presence and the sensitive, beautiful voice that she has.
If you are looking for a "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me" dance along you won't find it here. The songs are personal and emotional, not meant as a collection of club hits or booty shakers. Leona's vocal range is showcased throughout the album without becoming "vocals for the sake of vocals" that many fall into the trap of doing.
So, what is the album about? It's about things that we all want but the things that never came to be. About things that we made our own only to slip away at the last moment. And things ahead that make it worth for us to keep on living and give us hope.
Individual song review is as follows:
Bleeding Love - Great tune, a quick ballad about breaking up. Only downside is it's really overplayed, they should give more attention to her other great songs.
Better in Time - One of the best tracks on the album, excellent melody, great lyrics, perfect for Leona. She creates a mood like no one else here.
I Will Be - Some beautiful high notes here, a solid track
I'm You - A great track, soulful and sensitive
Forgive Me - A different kind of tune with a faster beat. Works for me!
Misses Glass - An unusual verse vocal melody... a worthy effort
Angel - Awesome track, one of my favorites! Great beat and lyrics! Leona makes it real.
The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face - Slow, soulful ballad. A definite favorite!
Yesterday - This is one of the best songs on the album. Beautiful lyrics, surreal melody and Leona's sultry voice make me remember of how many times I felt just like that.
Whatever It Takes - Love the beginning, great chorus. Nice!
Take a Bow - Another slower track, good work!
Footprints in the Sand - Powerful, passionate, emotional it's about hope for better things and a better life.
Here I am - For me, this is the best song on the album. Sensitive, subtle, beautifully sung, I am glad that the million times I felt before like this I can find a mirror reflection of that in this track. Amazing!
In summary, how can I best describe this album? Beautiful, sensitive, emotional, just like Leona herself. If that's not how you like your music, don't buy it! However, if the words I just mentioned appeal to you than this album is for you.
Leona is a shy, talented, emotional girl (which is why she is so refreshing) that loves to sing. On this album, she shines on every track. Do yourself a favor and get it.
Beautiful, Leona!
Free Music Review: AMAZING VOCALS & EMOTION
Hit: 5 Stars
I have purchased both the original UK version and the US version. In my opinion, the UK version is slightly superior, but that aside, the (US) album is still better than the rest of the competition. I do have to say that leaving out 'Homeless' WAS A BIG MISTAKE!. Check out her live performance of it at the Kiss concert on YT.
The thing about Leona Lewis is that she can make any material sound better than it really is! As another reviewer mentioned, she is often better than some of the songs she sings! This in itself is a gift, not many vocalists can sing with such emotional depth and connect with the listener to such an extent that a mediocre song can be elevated into something great.
As a vocalist, no one can deny her talent. The comparisons with the Greats: Whitney, Celine, Mariah etc whether positive or negative are proof that we have a future candidate to add to this list. The fact that people ARE making comparisons, speaks volumes of her talent...
Besides Bleeding Love, Take A Bow has the potential to be a MASSIVE Hit. Better In Time, I will be, Yesterday, Whatever it takes, Footprints in the sand all have the potential to be singles. In fact there are very few, non-single songs on this album.
Personally, Yesterday is my favourite. Upon the initial listenings of the album, it's very easy to overlook this gem! I certainly did, but like a lot of this album, it's a definite grower. Anyway, what makes this song amazing is the build up from the middle-8 right to the end. It's just THE perfect combination of meaningful lyrics, instrumentation, vocal arrangement and off course, all anchored by Leona's vocal emotion.
Footprints in the sand is a curiousity, but emotionally fuelled, once again hilighting her vocals. Viewing the UK music video (on YouTube) for this song, puts things in perspective.
Angel is my least favourite. A very, very dull song indeed, only made marginally passable by Leona's vocals.
I will be, has Leona outdoing Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson. For a comparison, check out Avril's lacklustre version of this song.
First time I ever saw your face, is a disappointment. Her live performance of this song is phenominal, unfortunately it doesn't translate. It may be that my opinion is clouded here as I first saw her sing this live on TV, rather than on CD.
Overall, this is a good debut, songwise, but vocally it is a masterclass, not because of her technically ability (although this is noteworthy) but mainly because she can connect with the listener. Believe me, I feel everything she conveys! There is such depth and emotion to her voice. Add this to her ability to elevate songs into another perspective and her outstanding live performances and you have a superstar in the making!