Search - Bobby Caldwell :: Heart of Mine

Fantastic!!!!!!!

ANTHONY AINSCOUGH | 12/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is one of Bobby's best. It is a terriffic album to throw in the CD player when makeing love, or if you just want to kick back and relax. Track one "Heart of Mine" is outstanding you will find yourself playing it over and over. This whole album is great and is a sure classic from Bobby. Heart of Mine is a need to buy CD. So go out and pick one up today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Heart and Soul!

Robby Icellosconi | Chicago, IL United States | 02/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've heard that the best CD Bobby has put out is a toss-up between Heart of Mine and Stuck on You. I don't own the latter, but I can definitely testify that there isn't a bad song on Heart of Mine. (This record must be one of his best because 6 of the 10 songs on here are on his Anthology Pt. 2 compilation). Fair warning, though: this is entirely romantic music. 7 of the 10 songs are ballads (the other 3 are somewhat upbeat). Bobby is known for romantic/heartache subject matter, but NOBODY does it better.



On this recording, Bobby uses top-knotch studio musicians such as guitarist Michael Landau (Richard Marx, Chicago) and saxophonist Dave Koz. Bobby performs all of the keyboards himself (so the liner notes say). He also does all of his own harmonies, and I have to say, nothing sounds sweeter. Bobby has a wonderful tenor voice and his harmonies are blissful perfection. Just take a listen to "Stay With Me," "Next Time I Fall," or "Heart of Mine." I personally think that I like Bobby's version of "Next Time I Fall" more than Peter Cetera's/Amy Grant's. His voice reminds me of Chicago's Jason Scheff, with whom he shares a songwriting credit on "Heart of Mine." What a splendid coincidence. (Bobby Caldwell co-wrote two 80s benchmark songs for Chicago featuring Scheff's lead vocal: "Niagara Falls" and "What Kind of Man Would I Be?").



Caldwell was involved in writing all of these songs either collaboratively or solely. The production is very sweet, more poppy than jazzy. Many music afficionados refer to this genre as "smooth jazz/R&B." Whatever it is, it's addictive. The jazziest tune you'll get on this is probably "First Time," which features a jazzy guitar solo performed by Bobby. Genre aside, Bobby Caldwell's lyrics and chord progressions are food for the soul (or the heart, if you prefer). Bobby's biggest hit is a song that he co-wrote with guitarist Alfons Kettner and is covered by at least a dozen artists: "What You Won't Do for Love." The guy should get more recognition than he does as one of the all-time best songwriters.



This record definitely sets the mood. If you like the audio samples here, you'll love the entire CD."