Search - Minnie Riperton :: Come to My Garden

A Thing of Rare Beauty

D. Stewart | Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom | 09/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well first of all I came to this album knowing very little of Minnie's work except "Lovin' You" which was a big radio hit here in the UK when I was a kid. I heard this album by chance playing in a store and was straight away thrown in a panic trying to find someone in the store who knew what was playing. I couldn't leave until it had finished playing...and it was only on the 2nd track when I arrived.
The arrangements are like a funkier Burt Bacharach meets Jimmy Webb, some of the songwriting is also Webb-esque...especially the magnificent "Rainy Day in Centerville", which with all it's twists and turns wouldn't have sounded out of place on one of Jimmy's Richard Harris albums. "Rainy Day..." also features one of the most soulful and moving vocal performances you are ever likely to hear. This is the when great soul singers weren't frightened to sing the melody and Minnie's remarkable voice never sounds pompous of like she's showing off, like too many soul divas today. Another major highlight is the title track "Come to my Garden", with Minnie almost sounding like Yma Sumac in places.This is a track to chase away dark clouds and demons...it's like a fresh mountain stream trickling and winding it's way around a green mountain in the sunshine.
The album's orchestrations and rhythm section couldn't be better, never overly lush or flowery and it keeps an edge and real human warmth from start to finish. Also I don't mind some of the dirt left over on the remastering, everything sounds too clean these days anyway. BUT most importantly it's that incredible beautiful voice...WOW. Come to this garden and you'll never want to leave."

A Lost Treasure, A Brilliant Work

K. | 01/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember when I picked up this album by chance at a record store. I wasn't very knowledgable about Minnie Riperton except the mainstream hits and her later R&B, which I never really got into. This album is where Minnie's voice is used the way the gift was supposed to be - taking listeners to soaring heights, into dreamscapes, into any fantasy or concept that one can ponder upon. It is very difficult to find the words to describe this masterpiece - my attempt was probably pretty lame. But this album is such a must have for all who want to hear innovative and original music. The writing, the orchestration, and Minnie's otherwordly, highly trained, unique voice make this a complete treasure. Though Minnie is gone from us, as well as the arranger of this masterpiece Charles Stepney, they left this awesome work for all to enjoy - please add it to your collection."

Minnie's peak

J. Vanduyl | USA | 01/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I knew of Minnie Riperton originally through her earlier career with Rotary Connection. I bought this CD after hearing one cut on YouTube, "Memory Band" (which is also on a Rotary Connection album, but in a different version). "Come To My Garden" is an amazing album... in my opinion, it's the peak of Minnie's abilities. The songs are haunting, mysterious, soulful, beautiful."