Search - Sinem Saniye :: When I Don't Sleep..

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Daniel Gerardi | 02/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For me, the music has always been the thing. Lyrics are secondary and can not make or break a song but should be equal to it.

Sinem Saniye's maiden CD, `When I Don't Sleep' is a remarkable collection of lovely melodies, even lovelier refrains and irresistible rhythms. So much so, one feels compelled to learn just what's on her mind. Focusing on lyrics, for a change, I discovered someone both thoughtful and amorous, someone willing to play but not averse to sharing painful intimacies.

`I'll Confide' celebrates a personal journey from inhibiting self-doubt to renewed hope. While keeping it light musically and lyrically, Sinem confesses regret that so much of life that could have been hers, that should have been hers is gone. This realization fosters a determination to shove fears aside and, with heart in hand, `catch up' and `go along for the ride.'

With `Baba Bossa,' Sinem pays homage to a profound musical inspiration in her life. Brazilian guitarist and songwriter Antonio Jobim combined American Jazz with the Rio Samba and created Bossa Nova, a rhythm indisputably suited to her evocative style. This beautiful paean glides smoothly along, punctuated with euphonic Portuguese lyrics. Ever the amorist, Sinem muses. She wonders if the instant love she experienced for this music upon her first encounter with it might have been the same feeling her own father felt when he first gazed down into her eyes.

The angry plaint `Outsider' pulls no punches and delivers a straight-forward message. This Turkish-American girl scolds all of us for our xenophobia. While Sinem has embraced bother her ancestral heritage and American identity with open arms, she senses in others, everywhere, a holding back, a qualified acceptance. Dramatically mounted, `Outsider' is highly original and perhaps even deliberately unsettling at times. Illustrative of the latter is the lengthy, almost droning, bohemian-beatnik, coffee-shop-jazz bar, Middle Eastern-American jam session that closes out the number. It does conjure up an image of someone lost, wandering aimlessly at night through the city streets. If that was the point, I got it.

Still one of my favorites, `In My Slumber' demonstrates lyrical innovation unique to this listener's ear. The `bittersweet lament' is a beautiful and touching offering to Sinem's surrogate father, absolving him of perceived grievances held too long. Using child-speak (`here you go yelling mean, no no fair to little me'), she communicates perfectly her early feelings during those troubled times. And, in a quite magical turn, her voice morphs gradually into that of a child, `It wasn't my fault.' Suddenly and jarringly, we have perspective. Sinem has reminded us, in a most profound way, of the innocence of children and our hearts go out to her.

Obviously, Sinem Saniye is someone who cares as much about message as she does music. I don't know when I have enjoyed a record more.

-Jimmy The Fan"

WHOA, SINEM! NELLIE'S 'SCARED OF YOU'...

JFAN | USA | 10/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"People do ask, 'Who does she sound like?' Though a benign query, music is deeply personal and born of passion... a `mind, body and soul' kind of thing. So let's massage the question a bit. 'Does she remind you of anyone?' That is a little better.

Having digested Nellie Furtado's three albums, most recently the 2000 smash hit 'Whoa, Nellie!', I am convinced it is she, among established stars, Sinem Saniye (When I Don't Sleep..') most resembles. Both are upper-range lyric sopranos who possess evocative styles that compliment seamlessly the Latin rhythms they love. Essentially, they are contemporary folk singers.

Of equal significance, each of these singer/song-writers offer a sound richly infused by her exotic cultural heritage. While I read there are those who 'don't dig it', I, for one, greatly appreciate young artists showing the character and wisdom to fully express such assets...particularly since it works so well. Nellie liberally displays Brazilian and Portuguese influences, while Sinem adopts them both but adds traditional Turkish intonations o create hypnotic olio.

At this point as performers, there is a notable contrast. Nellie's stardom and drift towards R&B forces her out into big stage arenas. She certainly has the pipes for it, but sometimes appears awkward and uncomfortable. Sinem, working mainly in clubs, is disarmingly natural. A demure charmer, she draws the audience in to share her joys and sorrows. They care about her and it is a sweet experience.

Finally, for those Sinem fans who do not see it, listen to 'Scared of You' (my favorite from 'Whoa, Nellie!' At times on this song, the similarities between the two are so obvious, I am tempted to suggest Sinem cover it. My guess is her overall softer tone would capture the tearful threnody beautifully. I know, dream on!

Well ladies, it is true I have drawn comparisons, but in the end, what do they mean? As you are undoubtedly aware, the key is being true to yourself for 'there's a certain kind of honey that's sweetest when you make the tea.'

JFAN

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