Customer Reviews
Calling All Rock Divas!
The lyrics are vivid, the music is energizing and Noa's voice soars like a Bird of Paradise. Even though I really enjoyed Noa's first album, Calling is the one I constantly come back to when I need to capture the fullness of life. Whenever I play it, I can't help but think of Calling as her official "rock album". If only Alanis and Shakira could infuse their music with as much spirituality and social awareness while delivering it with such artistry and depth.
A wonderful discovery
That is, if you prefer snappy and lively arranged vocal music to mushy and gloss jazz-pop. If you have never heard anything of Noa before, you'd better start with this one, rather than her self-titled American debut ("Noa", 1994). And despite all of Rupert Hine's clicks and pops, on this album they rarely ever get in the way of the sensitive compositions or the delicate voice of Noa.
The feel and touch of "Calling" comes in some part from the often sharp lyrics, which bear witness of things gone wrong. Titles such as "Too Proud" and (the beautiful) "Too Painful" let Noa speak out with an immediacy and directness. These qualities was found no-place on the preceding album ("Noa"), whose honey-coated production left the vocalist fighting to make it sound like anything but an uninspired thing out of the mainstream of ersatz-Streisand pop.
Not so here. The vocal beauty and power of "U. N. I" and the happy-feel of "Calling Home" are but two of the reasons why this album reminds me of the crystal-clear harmonies of Noa's second Israeli album, "Achinoam Nini Gil Dor" (1993). "Calling" makes up any lack of "israeli feel" with an even better crafted set of varied pop songs, accompanied with both vocal power and beauty. Noa's often dark humour added to many of the texts make this a real worth-while listen.
As does the production. Interestingly enough, Rupert Hine was also involved in Suzanne Vega's "Songs in Red and Gray", yet another sincere-sounding album (dealing with troubled relations) from a female vocalist hitting the right note. So I can only hope Noa/Nini will let Mr Hine once more be part of her productions.
Lovin' Noa from a total non musical type
It was such a beautiful duet but I never even heard them say her name. I bought this CD after I heard Noa singing on some music awards show several years ago with Stevie Wonder. Needless to say, it took me some work to track down the artist's name but it was worth it. I don't consider myself a music afficianado (sp?) at all but I sure do enjoy this cd. I think all the songs are enjoyable and different and I love how some of the songs are upbeat and some are a little dark or sad. I don't get tired of listening to this cd at all and I've had it for probably three years. The only reason I'm writing this review is everyone that's been responding seems to really know their stuff and I thought someone might be interested to hear from someone who just enjoys Noa for the plain old reason of liking a beautiful voice with beautiful words!.
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