U.S. pressing of this album from the British Pop/Jazz duo including two bonus tracks--"Something Every Day (Late Night Studio Take)" and a brand new version of their all time classic "Breakout". Swing Out Sister rose to fa... more »me along with Sade, Carmel, Matt Bianco and other like minded Jazz-influenced acts. Although their commercial peak came early in their career, they've continued to release albums that exude all the charm of their hits yet are filled with more maturity and emotional depth. Beautiful Mess is another step forward for the band.« less
U.S. pressing of this album from the British Pop/Jazz duo including two bonus tracks--"Something Every Day (Late Night Studio Take)" and a brand new version of their all time classic "Breakout". Swing Out Sister rose to fame along with Sade, Carmel, Matt Bianco and other like minded Jazz-influenced acts. Although their commercial peak came early in their career, they've continued to release albums that exude all the charm of their hits yet are filled with more maturity and emotional depth. Beautiful Mess is another step forward for the band.
CD Reviews
Beautiful Mess . . . This is Neat!!
Glenn Morris | Sydney, NSW Australia | 03/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Twenty one years after their irresistible smash hit Breakout, Swing Out Sister again proves their staying power.
Beautiful Mess is another glorious addition to a rich catalogue and is a treasure trove of beautifully crafted and performed material.
Like a fine wine Corinne Drewery's luscious tones develop with time and are pure enjoyment.
Every track is a winner: catchy pop, cinematic sweeps, lush orchestral sounds, dreamy melodies, clever key changes. Butterfly, All I Say & Do, Out There, Secret Love & Beautiful Mess are the standouts.
Long live Swing Out Sister and here's to another 21 years!"
Well, here's another fine "MESS" they got us into!!!!
Donald Lindsey | 03/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a "Swing Out Brutha" ever since my senior year in 1987 when I heard the tune "Breakout". Then I heard "Twilight World" and that's when I said I had to get the album titled "It's Better To Travel". Since then, I've purchased all of their recordings. Swing out sister is one of my favorite music groups of all time. I love how they re-invent themselves on each of their albums. One minute it's 60's chic,then it's 70's black action cinema meets burt bachrach,along with 60's/70's candy colored jimmy webb/jackson 5/sesame street vibes that "Shapes and Patterns" CD had produced.
The new CD titled, "Beautiful Mess" is one of swing out sister's best recordings ever. I cannot stop listening to this CD. Every song has a place in my heart. The song "I'd be happy" has a positive vibe with it's early 70's motown/dusty springfield/isaac hayes sound. "All I Say, All I do" puts you in the mind of early 70's lonnie liston smith(the sounds of lonnie's brother, vocalist donald smith , would probably come to mind),mixed in with burt bacharach and a splash of late 60's motown lounge. The song "Out there" is a "james bond/fifth dimension" type of ballad. "Out There" made me literally shed a tear cause it was so beautiful.The song "My state of mind", well, let's just say that Roy Ayers will be proud of Corrine and Andy with Roy's "70's polydor years" groove. Shame on the U.S for not promoting this great music instead of this fast food music that they are trying to shove down our throats. May God bless swing out sister for making great music and to let us know that there is a positive light in this cruel world. But anyway I highly recommend this CD."
SOS creates another 'Beautiful Mess'
J. T. Ly | 03/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this from cdjapan.jp couple weeks before amazon had it available and for better price too! What can I say about SOS? Another splendid work of art put forth by the swing duo! A different version of 'Secret Love' that is better than the original, 'Beautiful Mess', 'Butterfly' and 'Something Every Day' are all great! The little wizard mix may take getting used to (at least for me), but hey, they can't all be gems can they? Otherwise, what would you have to look forward to? And I love the retro 'do Corinne is sporting on the CD cover (circa 1986 all over again!). This CD has some of the horns of old, some of that 60's Motown feel, and some of funkadelic SOS experimental sounds - lush, sophisticated, melodious, SOS! That this has no play whatsoever in the States is a sad commentary on music (and this society in general for that matter) in America. We get the same ol' same ol' here that it is a real treasure to hear one of these every 4 years or so! I recently discovered Kate The Cat (from Germany - 2005's Love CD). It was a very nice filler between SOS releases, and had some SOS elements to the songs, but this is the real deal!"
SOS...Fantastic as usual!!!!
Dee-Neecy | USA | 03/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW!!! Another fantastic CD!!! Each song gets better as the CD plays on. My favorites are "Out There", "Butterfly Lullaby", and the title song "Beautiful Mess." The CD has a mix of Smoothe Jazz, sentimental sixties and soul music from the past with a little sound of "Somewhere Deep in the Night." I love this CD...SOS gets better with each new creation. And I agree with my fellow SOS fans. This music needs to be played on the radio stations instead of the garbage they are playing at present. Go out and get this CD if you like superior music!!!"
Still Got It!
Gadfly-in-Residence | San Diego, CA United States | 11/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the first time I heard Corinne Drewery's sublime mezzo soprano/alto-range voice, I was a fan. Ms. Drewery's control is truly amazing and she demonstrates this playfully: just when one believes she is going to flat, her voice smiles with a "gotcha," and from underneath the note is rendered in near perfect pitch.
Most modern singers try to impress the listener with their range and ability to do scales--over and over again. An example of this style is pop singer Mariah Carey, whose voice, despite her enormous talent, can quickly become tedious and even grating. (She should practice on her own damn time.) However, Corinne's voice reminds one of a beautifully crafted and well-maintained woodwind instrument, warm and mellifluous, yet still haunting.
Combined with Andy Connell's sophisticated arrangements, Swing Out Sister delivers a contemporary jazz sound that is consistently polished. It is a welcome balm to the never-ending assault on one's ears.
So, after making an end-of-day martini, find that favorite chair and let the urbane sound of Swing Out Sister's Beautiful Mess wash away the ugliness of contemporary life."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1