Search - Candi Staton :: Candi: Music Speaks Louder Than Words

Finally Reissued on CD!

Gabriel Albert | Grants, NM USA | 12/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Candi Staton is one of those singers that can easily transcend different musical styles, whether it be gospel, southern soul, disco, quiet storm, or urban soul. This collection brings fans a long awaited arrival of her two Warner Bros. albums (CANDI-1974 and MUSIC SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS-1977) on CD with 24-bit remastering that just sounds amazing.



The first album (CANDI) was released in 1974 and was her first album under Warner Bros. records. With CANDI, Ms. Staton was able to have a Top Ten R&B hit (#6) with "As Long As He Take Care of Home" and it included fine songs that were recorded at Muscle Shoals in Alabama. However, it was not a huge success and Candi decided to change producers, because she felt that it would be best to move with someone who was producing more in the disco/urban soul area. With that in mind, she recorded her next album (YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE -1976) with David Crawford. YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE also brought Candi a new change, recording in Los Angeles, California. With new musical styles chosen, Candi finally hit the top of the charts, with the title track reaching #1 on the R&B charts and making it to #20 on the Pop Charts.



The following year 1977, Candi recorded MUSIC SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS with producer Bob Monaco (who was well known for his work with Rufus). In MUSIC SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS, the songs had a more pop/rock feel to it and provided Candi with a slightly different sound. However it was not as big of a hit as YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE. But my favorite songs on MUSIC SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS are "You Are", "When You Want Love", her soulful interpretations of the Doobie Brothers' hit "Listen To The Music" and the Bee Gees' "Nights On Broadway", and the very feel good instrumental "Cotton Candi". The latter is a wonderful instrumental that is very reminiscent of the mid 70s and reminds of what it must have been like to hear something like that in a department store. Overall both albums are wonderful and showcases Candi in two different styles of music.



Now all we need to make Candi's Warner Bros. years complete are CHANCE (1979) and CANDI STATON (1980). With CHANCE, Candi went for the big disco sound and with her self-titled album we get a wonderful sound of urban soul with quiet storm thrown in. My favorite Candi Staton album while she was at Warner Bros. is CANDI STATON. So hopefully David Nathan will release those two fine albums on CD as well!! That will make the collection complete!!!"

Candi Is Still Sweet!

B. Scott | New York, NY United States | 03/09/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It is always great to get 2 albums on one Cd, and with Candi Staton you really can't go wrong. The first album "Candi" marked her Warner Brothers debut in 1974 with the following tracks:

1. "Here I Am Again"- A gut wrenching soul song that also appears on "The Best of Candi Staton."

2. "Your Opening Night"- This is a typical Staton style, storytelling-phrasing about love that has gone away.

3. "A Little Taste of Love"- Has a cool soulful beat that allows Candi's vocals to shine.

4. Going Through The Motions"- A nice ballard that builds at a slow and steady pace, with a nice hook that just makes you feel good listening to it.

5. Stop and Smell The Roses"- A nice cover of the Mac Davis-Doc Severinsen tune.

6. "We Can Work It Out"- Typical southern soul music sound, although tune does not really stand out.

7. As Long As He Takes care of Home"- This was the only song on the album that made the top 10 R&B hit(#6). It's message was straightforward, "You can mess around with anyone you like, as long as you take care of business with me in the bedroom." This tune is an upbeat, finger popping song that was very risque at the time.

8. "But I Do"- Candi's vocals shine on this soul-felt message song, as she sings with conviction about the ups and downs of love.

9. "Can't Stop Being Your Fool"- Candi's strong sound coupled with the powerful words runs the emotional gamut and only comes from experience.

10. "Clean Up America"- Another message type song with a funky and soulful beat.

11. "Six Nights and a Day"- A great song with a funky sound that also appears on "The Best of Candi Staton."



In 1977 Candi recorded "Music Speaks Louder Than Words", which was the follow up album to "Young Hearts Run Free." Here is a brief overview of the playlist:

12. "Nights On Broadway"- Candi delivers a decent disco type version of the Bee Gees song, but not strong enough to chart.

13. "You Are"- A funky song by "Mr. Funk" himself, Geroge Clinton.

14. "A Dreamer of a Dream"- This vibrant song is reminiscent of "Young Hearts Run Free" and was #37 on the R&B charts in 1977.

15. "Music Speaks Louder Than Words"- A simple song, but nothing special outside of Candi's great vocals and a nice acapella ending highlighting her smooth sounding voice.

16. "Cotton Canday"- Nice instrumental cut that probably sounds even better while driving a car on a sunny day.

17. "Listen To The Music"- Although it only charted at #90 (R&B), it was a nice interpretation of a 70's favorite.

18. "When You Want Love"- This song could have been a more successful tune, had they focused more on the disco component opposed to the pop influences.

19. "One More Chance On Love"- I first fell in love with this song on "The Best of Candi Staton" CD because of her strong vocals and her heart wrenching last cry for a chance on love.

20. "Main Thing"- This was just okay for me.

21. "Before The Next Teardrop Falls"- Candi could have probably had some success as a country singer because this tune sounds like the real thing. It is a good rendition of a classic tune.



This album is great to have if you want to make your 70's Candi Staton collection complete. For the first timer, I would recommend "The Best of Candy Staton", along with "Candi Staton", the album she recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, which is excellent!!!!



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