Brenda Russell - Paris Rain (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Worth the seven year wait

Paul Hixenbaugh | Valley Village, CA | 07/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's been seven years since Brenda Russell released her last album, "Soul Talkin'". One listen to "Paris Rain" makes it clear that Russell has spent the last seven years working on her magnum opus. The title track, "Love And Paris Rain", is a heartbreaking ballad and her best recording since "Piano In The Dark". "Expect A Miracle" and "Ideal World" are spiritually moving. "Catch On" is a great midtempo song in the best tradition. If you like Anita Baker, Oleta Adams, or even Melissa Manchester, you'll love this CD."

Genius

Alan Dagless | Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear United Kingdom | 09/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hello from England.Brenda has always been a bit of a 'cult' hero here in England. As welll as releasing her own fine albums she is also known for writing brilliant songs for others. As I have followed her career for a long time I have found myself asking why, oh why, Brenda gave whichever song away..... 'Flame' bt Patti LaBelle being an excellent example. However, with 'Paris Rain' Brenda has kept all the best songs for herself.From the first track, 'Ideal World', you know that this CD is something very special (I love the way this song builds to anthemic proportions). Every track is of the highest possible standard and it is so very obvious that so much care, attnetion and love has gone in to creating this CD - it shows right through the speakers.Apart from 'Ideal World' just listen to the quality of songs like 'Expect A Miracle' and 'Catch On' - you won't be disappointed.So buy the album, and if you get the chance support Brenda at her live appearances.Finally one word sums up Brenda Russell fro me : GENIUS!!"

"City of Light" shines in rain

H. Payne | Los Angeles, CA USA | 08/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there were more albums out that were this good, start to finish, even the Napster/MP3 crowd would be willing to pay good money for the music, if they knew it would support the release of other such artistry. Kudos to artist, producers, & label.I was going to say a little something about my favorites, but after a few listenings, I realize I'd have to do an essay on each one. When you write great songs & sing them well, all the delectable little subtleties in the arrangement & production just enhance the performance without the need to over produce to prop up the songs.From the gentle uplifting strains of "Ideal World" through the exquisitely written "She's in love", to the deliciously contagious Catch On, I was already hooked. And that's just the first 3 songs! "Walking in New York"--forget about it! Music & melody working in perfect prosody, balancing the grit & the grace & the sweet subtle dissonances of a walk with Ms Brenda through Nueva York.It just doesn't stop--for the whole CD. I need 5 more stars & another page to rave about the 2nd half."

Vastly underrated classic album

RICHARD J. THOMAS | Gwent United Kingdom | 01/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having had the CD for about a month, this has been a steady grower which is now never off my CD player.This should have been a massively successful a la Ms Bland, Diana Krall.Each track is a beautifully produced hook-laden gem and Brenda has never sounded better. She has already proved her superb songwriting prowess in the past but on this release she has exceeded her best.Highlights are "She's In Love", "Love & Paris Rain", which is an exquisitely haunting jazz masterwork, "You Can't Hide Your Heart From Me" & "Move The Moon". "Please Felipe" is positively vibrant and has the definitive feel-good factor.Stephan Oberhoff makes a fine contribution to the instrumentation and production.But it's always "Love & Paris Rain" that I play and play.Buy it - you'll regret you didn't.....5 stars"

Come in from the Rain

Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 07/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""In an ideal world

On an ideal day

We could care for each other

In an ideal way"

Brenda loves writing songs that inspire her audience. She is a talented singer, songwriter, arranger and producer with a unique and inspirational world view. Her songs are often inspired by her own experiences, but some are creative mental images. She can literally paint pictures with her lyrics. She is a beautiful woman with an equally exquisite soul. Her music has endured the trends of time. She incorporates rock, pop, R&B, Jazz, classical and Latin into a style all her own.

"Every time you change your environment it affects how you feel about life and it affects your music." ~Brenda Russell

Paris Rain is a lyrical journey through a series of romantic ideas. Each song is sung with passion and is surrounded by spiritual beauty. They evoke a feeling of being "in love" and when you listen on a dreamy day, these songs just make you want to float away. They lift your spirit to new heights and soothe a stressful day in an instant.

This is that escape. The place you go when the world is too much. Your ideal world. Maybe a beach, a walk in New York with someone you love or running in

Paris in the rain. It is about fantasy and love and new beginnings. About miracles that occur when your heart has given up.

"Don't stop believing in love

Believe in love, babe" ~Expect a Miracle, a song complete with thunder and rain.

It is about how we are not alone in the wake of a storm.

Ideal World - Filled with fairy dust and glitter. "Before we reach the planets, let's get it right on earth..." It speaks of care and love and an idyllic world. It is about taking chances and discovering that ideal moment on an ideal day. I cried the first three times I heard this song. It touched something deep in me I can't explain.

She's In Love - Nostalgia, a girl in love, crying just like a child who was lost and then found her way back home. Evokes a smooth sway of a swing on a cloudy day. A woman who is in love and the beauty she feels in her soul shows

in her eyes.

Catch On - Slightly more upbeat. She just needs the stars to shine on her and help her see why we are really here on earth. A sense of unity and awareness.

Walkin' in New York - Free spirited lyrics with a spicy Latin beat.

Love and Paris Rain - Dreamy, laid back. Her voice turns silky as she remembers a misty night walking under Paris lights. The drums fall away on this track and the passionate lyrics drift off into a piano sonata. While I love this song, it doesn't inspire me like "Ideal World."

Please Felipe - Playful and upbeat. The rain stops and she captures Felipe in a song. Cute, wistful love song.

You Can't Hide Your Heart from Me - "Hello it's me...You can't hide your heart from me....You gazed in my direction...But souls have wings...And we were born to fly..." A song about jumping off that cliff into love. Has traces of "Piano in the Dark" somewhere in the music, like a ghost from the past.

Move the Moon - Inspirational lyrics about women being strong, but still needing a man to love her. "If you think I don't need you baby, You're so wrong." There is nothing she wouldn't do, she would even move the moon. Sweet and sassy.

Something About Your Love - Remembrance of life and the paths we take. "I only know that I could not keep you from my mind. " There is something about the newness of love that made her want it all again.

Baby Eyes - Sigh...

Rainy Day Dreams and Romantic Notions. This is just one smooth and silky seduction. It is an intimate collection of songs that are lusciously embraced by Brenda's soothing velvet voice.

Music for a Mellow Mood.

~The Rebecca Review

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