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Smokey Robinson - A Quiet Storm Audio CD

A fair review of the Smokey Robinson "A Quiet Storm" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Smokey Robinson reviews here, or go back to the Smokey Robinson tabs.

Smokey Robinson Band: Smokey Robinson
Title: A Quiet Storm
Rating:
Release Date: 1991-12-16
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Quiet Storm 2: Agony and the Ecstasy 3: Baby That's Backatcha 4: Wedding Song 5: Happy (Love Theme from Lady Sings the Blues) 6: Love Letters 7: Coincidentally

An Influential LP
When released black radio stations like WHUR (Howard U) in D. This album's influence is heard today in the world of smooth jazz and adult-oriented RnB. C. began setting aside airtime for long slow jams, calling the format, "Quiet Storm" and using the title cut as the intro. It became hugely popular. This should be in every black music collection. It is a song cycle, a concept album, that should be listened to from start-to-finish.
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Total chill factor
I mean, mostly. Well I like classic soul as much as the next guy, and this is a hell of an album. Now, if "Happy" wasn't so goddamned long and boring, and if "Wedding Song" wasn't so randomly blah, we'd have 4. 5 to five stars our hands, now wouldn't we? But hey, don't overlook the rest of the album, because it's good! My top picks? You've got your melodic, faultless hit "Baby That's Backatcha" (with a flute part that just gets me every time), the title track, which for whatever reason reminds me of "The Rain Song" - couldn't tell you why, but that's the first tune that pops into my head when I hear it (not that the Smokester's ripping off Zep, that would just be weird. . . ); and the infidelity-themed "The Agony and the Ecstasy". All three were major hits, with the title song inspiring the love-it-or-hate-it radio format of the same name. And if those three float your metaphorical boat, you'd be glad to know that "Coincidentally" is in the same style. Very mellow - good chillout album.


yazzo
It arrived quickly and it sounded great. I was so happy I was able to purchase it on CD because I orginally have on LP.


Defining a sound...
. . just like he did at the beginning of Motown. Now here he his, just like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, going beyond the pop success for a new sound, new direction, new motivations. Marvin & Stevie went their way; and "Quiet Storm" was Smokey's way.

His way was smoother, more gentler, never one to ruffle feathers like Marvin or Stevie did with their songs. That's why Smokey is the genius he is; he didn't try to do anyone else's style but his own.

The album is quintessential Smokey. . . his same songwriting formula he has used for decades. You can imagine that if this were the mid 60s, these tracks would sound something like "Track of My Tears" or "Ooh Baby Baby". The melodies and rhythms simply reflect what the 70s were about, using "non-native" instruments (latin percussions/rhythms), funkier beats and bass lines, and non-standard rhythms and times. Smokey is a master songwriter, always keeping his ear to what's hip, and that what "Baby That's Back Atcha" is; hip, funky, and totally Smokey. "The Agony and the Ecstasy" is old-school Smokey and those from all the 'hoods and barrios include this in their Oldies mixes (how 'bout that opening line? Vintage Smokey hooking you into the song). And the title track itself started a whole new sub-genre of R&B music. . . can you think of another song that has done that? Nothing more need be said.

He will be considered in the future one of the 20th century's greatest American songwriters, up there with Cole Porter, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and Bruce Springsteen. This album simply reaffirms what many already know.


Quiet Storm
As with most of the reviewers have stated, William "Smokey" Robinson has got to be one of the most underrated Songwriters/Singer's on the planet. I was 16 when this album came out, I would just play the "Quiet Storm" side over and over (and over) again. As on this collection of songs, Smokey runs the vibe hot, warm and cool (note that I never said "cold!") That, if possible is a description of the album "Quiet Storm. " Five stars!.


You can see a complete list of all Smokey Robinson discography, or go back to the Smokey Robinson tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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