k.d. lang - Drag
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Free Music Notes for Drag
Free Music Review: Music to commit suicide by?
Hit: 1 Stars
A cd devoted to "draggy" (pardon the pun) songs about smoking?This music is ok if you like life slow and depressing but I believe I will sneak this one over to the library and make a donation along with her "Live By Request" album. "Pink Floyd" is sounding much better now!
Come on, K. D., get yourself a Joan Jett CD and have some fun!
Free Music Review: Lang's concept album is anything but a "Drag"
Hit: 5 Stars
First she was a Nashville misfit, then a would-be pop diva. But for 1997's "Drag," kd lang took elements from each of her previous incarnations and fused them with elements of jazz and lounge for an ultra-sophisticated torch concept album. Loosely linking songs that either center on or make reference to smoking (not to mention the double entendre depicted in the album's photographs, coupled with the fact that a good number of these songs are commonly associated with male vocalists), lang's selection in material has never been sharper, as not one of the dozen songs onhand sound as if they weren't written specifically for her voice and stylings.The lyrical ties may be a bit of a stretch at times, but the music throughout the project is firmly knotted together. One hardly has to read the production credits; a sampling of the left-of-center jazz and country blend leaves little doubt that anyone other than Craig Street, oddball extraordinare behind Cassandra Wilson's "New Moon Daughter" and Holly Cole's "Temptation," was at the helm. Street's presence explains -at least in part- the surprisingly highbrow arrangements of Steve Miller's "The Joker" and The Hollies' "The Air That I Breathe"; famous for turning novelty pop songs into mature music for adults, Craig's sensibilities in this sense have never been stronger. He also apparently had a field day with lang's love of Roy Orbison and Julie London, as Orbison's "Till the Heart Caves In" is given a rendition nothing short of immaculately beautiful, and the vibraphone and organ on "Smoke Dreams" are more than a little reminiscent of later-year recordings of Julie's.
But lang is no one's carbon copy, as the country-tinged "My Last Cigarette" and the Hawaiian-flavored "Smoke Rings" will prove beyond a doubt...when's the last time you heard music like this that wasn't on a reissue? Even an oft-covered standard like "Don't Smoke in Bed" can get a tailor-made alteration: lang starts it off as a classic torch, but a surprise bridge, with tremelo guitar and ethereal vocals, makes it something her very own. If you're still not a believer, behold the ease with which she takes the theme from the ultimate camp film ("Valley of the Dolls") and morphs it into a mature and classy affair.
"Hain't it Funny" is the lone exception; whether it's the lowkey jazz arrangement or the lazy vocal, you'd almost swear lang intentionally took a page from Holly Cole's book (and that's no complaint). But for a strong dose of the charm, warmth, and emotional accessibility that makes lang such an irresistible vocalist, look no further than the gorgeously understated "My Old Addiction," a deceivingly simple song that, at first listen, seems to stays on one emotional plane. It isn't until the six-and-a-half minute listen is over, however, that you realize lang wove in and out of subtle inflections, both technically and emotionally. The hindsight revelation makes it all the more impressive and the listener is all the more anxious to repeat the experience. Come to think of it, you may well reach the same conclusion at the close of this moving, entrancing, and ultimately beautiful record.
Free Music Review: k.d. lang is a goddess
Hit: 5 Stars
k.d.lang has a voice that just soars and is able to wrap itself around a song. I would call her a modern day Karen Carpenter. The depth of emotion in her singing and the songs on this album just show off that range. The theme of "drag" is carried throughout the album in the smokey sound of her voice and the literally smokey/airy titles of the songs. "The Air That I Breathe" is a perfect example of the floating vocals making a perfectly perfect ethereal atmosphere. This is an amazing album of songs sung by an amazing voice of our time. Haunting and moving. A definite must for any music lover and an absolute must for a k.d. fan.
Free Music Review: k d lang..it DRAGs a bit..
Hit: 3 Stars
k d lang has a stunning voice. Its range is maleable, its emotions haunting. What makes this CD not a 5 star endeavor is the production. Too languid and almost too sultry, it sort of takes over lang's voice and makes the whole affair a sort of mish mash of lounge music. Her take on "The Joker" and "The Air That I Breathe" stand out as exceptions...and her version of "Valley Of The Dolls" has the correct air of detachment.lang has a tendency to sing too slowly, and she seems to prefer arrangements that are so slow, you could drive a train through the pauses. She suffers from this same problem in some other CDs, most notably in sections of Ingenue and Invincible Summer(a far superior CD by the way).
I love lang's voice, but overall, this CD's title sort of says it all, and it has nothing to do with cross-dressing or puffing on a cigarette.
Free Music Review: Smoldering...
Hit: 5 Stars
Wow whee! I bought this CD because I'm gay and figured I'd give a comrade a chance to dazzle me. She did. Huge fan now... Yes, I'm a guy. No, I haven't given up Barbra and Judy, but k.d. offers a different kind of musical fabulousness. This is my favorite of her post-country albums... MY OLD ADDICTION is flawless. The entire album is flawless. k.d. is always perfect. The only voice smoother than k.d.'s is Sarah Vaughan's, and in the world of music that's high praise. You don't have to be gay to like k.d., but after listening to her you'll sure be happy!