Search - Michael Franks :: Tiger in the Rain

Sensual Modern Big Band

James Fenos | Columbus, OH United States | 11/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The title of this review?? Inspired by the overall feeling of this album. Michael takes his usual poetry and wordplay lyric, his light vocal delivery, hands over arranging and production to John Simon who in turn adds cooing female background vocalists, making "Tiger In The Rain" the first Michael Franks album to feature other singers and tops the arranging off with what could be best described as big band orchestra. The result is beautiful. Michael is in a good mood here, singing about apple trees and guaranteeing satisfaction all the while surrounded by full horn and woodwind sections. One of my favorite tracks is the title track "Tiger In The Rain." The lyric is a tale about an unmarried couple living in the jungle befriending a frightened tiger afraid of thunderstorms, the song was inspired by a painting; it's featured on the album cover. The vibes solo on this song really sets a great mood. This body of work is another one of Michael's singular themes as far as musical arrangement, he doesn't return to this sound at all, another aspect to how this album stands out on it's own."

Satisfaction Guaranteed

John P. Morgan | Beautiful San Dimas, CA | 06/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the album that I...uhhhh...lost something to. How's that for being vague? Like I mentioned in my 'Art of Tea' review, I was introduced to Michael Franks by my girlfriend at the time. She was my sleepy-eyed girl in my throw away world...she was someone who unknowingly taught me the gifts of compassion, grace, and beauty and she did it not only through the things she was and did, but in the things she wasn't and didn't do and in between the seen and the unseen, the doors of love always seemed to be open even if I, just a kid at the time, didn't always realize it.



I listen to this collection of songs now and I finally "get it". I finally get what she was trying to say to me. I finally get the wisdom that laid quietly behind the veil of appearances. I finally get that beauty always stands and waits for us to notice it.



This album is such a jewel in my collection. I keep it close. Literally as well as figuratively. Not because now I'm just a nostalgic old fool, but because it gently reminds me that true beauty is not flash and glitz, true beauty is simple, understated, often overlooked and for those of you who feel overlooked and passed by, do not give up because Love has not given up on you.



If you are looking for something to soothe the wounds that we encounter along this journey, I suggest this CD. Its healing balm will soak deep into your soul and truly make you understand that Love is forever no matter what the appearances may look like.

"

Frank's equatorial treat

Mr. S. Gale | Bracknell, UK | 03/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tiger in the Rain is as exotic as the Rousseau jungle landscape on the cover. On track 1,Franks finds himself in a tropical paradise(Sanpaku)but it's temptations prove too much and he has to leave.He spends Christmas in Brazil(Jardin Botanico-Track 5),where he takes refuge from a rainshower under the leaves of a Banana tree. Succulents in pots surround Franks in his backyard on the rear cover shot. Great musical support too from Flora Purim,Rick Marotta and Mike Mainieri.The latter's Vibraphone solo on the title tune is worth the price of admission. Tiger in the Rain is as cool as Equatorial rain.Play it on a humid night and chill out!"