Heart Full of Soul - Chris Isaak, Gouldman, Graham
Blue Hotel
Lie to Me
Fade Away
Wild Love
This Love Will Last
You Took My Heart
Cryin'
Lover's Game
Waiting for the Rain to Fall
Just before all commercial hell broke loose for Chris Isaak, he made another record drenched in reverb, salty tears (he'll have you believe his heart is forever being broken), and the scent of lust. Ignoring the wave of po... more »p and punk-inspired rock that was gaining notice in the late '80s, Isaak continued in his adoration for artists like Roy Orbison and Elvis (uh, Presley), and wailed on "Cryin'," "Lie to Me," and "You Owe Me Some Kind of Love." Isaak's bad-boy tease is irresistible on "Lover's Game," and he exudes a hopeful, endearing optimism on "This Love Will Last." His classic "Blue Hotel" steals the show (he should have earned his fame on this track instead of "Wicked Game"), and his cover of "Heart Full of Soul" (originally done by the Yardbirds) is faithful and passionate. --Lorry Fleming« less
Just before all commercial hell broke loose for Chris Isaak, he made another record drenched in reverb, salty tears (he'll have you believe his heart is forever being broken), and the scent of lust. Ignoring the wave of pop and punk-inspired rock that was gaining notice in the late '80s, Isaak continued in his adoration for artists like Roy Orbison and Elvis (uh, Presley), and wailed on "Cryin'," "Lie to Me," and "You Owe Me Some Kind of Love." Isaak's bad-boy tease is irresistible on "Lover's Game," and he exudes a hopeful, endearing optimism on "This Love Will Last." His classic "Blue Hotel" steals the show (he should have earned his fame on this track instead of "Wicked Game"), and his cover of "Heart Full of Soul" (originally done by the Yardbirds) is faithful and passionate. --Lorry Fleming
Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 10/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"During my days as a radio programmer, a 45 by some guy I never heard of before crossed my desk. It was called "Blue Hotel." I put it on the little turntable in my office, and listened. When it was over, I got up, closed the door, and played it again. Loud. After that, I was hooked. Chris Isaak had made me a fan with one 45.
I then went out and found this CD in a Rehoboth Beach Delaware boardwalk record store, and was blown away. The music was dark and sexy, evocative and moody, and rang of broken hearts drenched in reverb. "Chris Isaak" was so beyond anything being released in the period that I had to play it for friends, to show them real musicians still made rock the old fashioned way. Isaak even took a classic chestnut (The Yardbirds' "Heart Full Of Soul") and completely reclaimed it.
This was the CD where Isaak and his band Silvertone found their voice. The album sounds full and rich, both deliciously retro and thoroughly modern at the same time. He was able to tread that line perfectly here and on the follow-up, "Heart Shaped World," so if you ever wondered where all that original excitement about Chris Isaak sprouted from, just pop this CD into the player and cue up "Blue Hotel." Hearts in agony never sounded this good."
This is what "good music" is all about....
Frank Garon | Breinigsville, PA United States | 01/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I only vaguely knew who this "Chris Isaak" guy was, prior to a dear friend of mine turning me on to "Speak of the Devil" and "Baja Sessions".Those two CDs blew my mind, so naturally I HAD to to go out and buy his entire cataloge.Let me tell you about this title - this one ROCKS! It's really just a perfect CD, nothing but great songs all the way through. I found it hard to get past "Lie To Me", "Fade Away","This Love Will Last" and "You Took My Heart". I just keep playing those 4 over and over and over.One special note - the guitar work on this CD is nothing short of awesome. James Calvin Wilsey and Chris really put out some serious sound here.All in all, this one is WELL worth the money. And then some, actually... Rock on, Chris. Good stuff!"
Chris's Masterpiece
William Fricke | St. Paul, MN United States | 01/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album was a landmark recording for me. I heard (and purchased) "Silvertone" while living in the Bay Area. When this record came out, I was blown away. The production values are outstanding and the music is unbelievable. Although you can't deny Chris and his fabulous voice, kudos have to go to guitarist James Calvin Wilsey and producer, Erik Jacobsen for creating an awesome space on top of which Chris can shine. Well versed in the ways of creating the "sound" full of reverb, twang, gently bent notes and ambience, Chris and the band take you back in time, while still keeping you in the present.This is Chris Isaak's most consistent record, and his best, in my opinion. "Fade Away," to me, is the best Chris Isaak song ever. You'll never get sick of it. The rest of the album is great as well."
Smooth & Dreamy at 60 MPH
Mlle.Mystery | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Oh, darling. This was my first taste of Chris Isaak while in Texas after having my heart smashed into a mazillion teeny bits. Driving home to LA in my '63 Lincoln at night, this just floated out of the air and knocked me galleywest. This guy was a combo of Tang & Cool-Whip, Kookie Burns & Rick Nelson. It was just too perfect. From the eerie opening of " You Owe Me Some Kind of Love" surf guitar sinously floating with lyrics that meant what they said. Oh send me someone like this! As addictive as candy, there ain't no going back. Well, of course I was a convert and had to have it all. Even going up to SF to Slims on the offchance...well, a girl can DREAM, can't she? It all just sounds better and better as you keep listening. Excuse me, I have to slip on my heels, gas up, pull down the top, and go for a ride under the stars."
"If you have never heard Chris Isaak or OF him (I can't imagine) then I would highly suggest you start your salad bar right here. That's why I've chosen to review this CD and not any of the others, although every one is excellent in content and rates 4 or 5 stars themselves.This CD is not as full of woe as Heart Shaped World, the tempo on the collection is just a little bit more moving, and his anguish just a little more sonic.I first met Chris, as with so many other fans, on Twin Peaks, a heady television show that seemed to fit Isaak's music perfect to the "T". There is a spooky resonance to his material that will haunt you and keep you playing his music over and over.There is not one track on this album which would let you down, he carries you along with his heart to the very end, from the pleading yet accusatory You Owe Me Some Kind Of Love to the rhythmic finale Waiting For The Rain To Fall.His cover of The Yardbirds is even better than the original, seemingly written for his voice and just waiting for him to arise and eschew every note with the Heartful vigor that only a singer of his calibre could carry over.And then there is Blue Hotel. From the first note to final Orbison guitar exit, this man, like every critic here feels, brings The King and James Dean to life. This is a landmark song, a signature that says "I Am Chris Isaak!" His voice has the clarity and emotion of Roy Orbison, the power and delivery of Elvis, and certainly the sad and haunting attitude of Dean.By the time you hear the gentle ghostly Lie To Me all the way through, if you are not sold on Chris Isaak you better just shut off the CD player and go back to watching American Idol. Chris is no "pop" star, he is truely devoted to his music and sound, whether he is rocking out "Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing", doing a Bayou Boogie like "Voodoo", or Bo Diddleying, his sound is one of a kind, not retro, not modern, just simply a heart full of soul!"