|
| Spirit | 
 enlarge | Artist: Leona Lewis
Label: J-Records
Category: Music
List Price: $18.97
Buy New: $8.48
You Save: $10.49 (55%)
New (46) Used (20) from $3.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  172 reviews
Sales Rank: 59
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 702554
UPC: 886970255424
EAN: 8869702554240
ASIN: B0012TBGYC
Release Date: April 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
Good, but "over-balladed" May 8, 2008
19 out of 23 found this review helpful
This is a strong debut album from X-Factor winner Leona Lewis, the only potential problems being a surfeit of ballads, and a large dose of overexposure. The British born singer/songwriter is of Guyanese/Welsh parentage, and was no stranger to performing before catching the eye of Simon Cowell, who moved heaven, earth and Clive Davis to ensure that this album had all the backing it needed.
Even before the album was released, she already had a hit single with her version of the Kelly Clarkson song "A Moment Like This", which can be found as a bonus on the UK version of the album. Please note that the track listing for the UK Version is different to the US and Canadian releases. The songs "Forgive Me" (produced by Akon) and "Misses Glass" on this version take the place of "Homeless" (a slow R&B ballad) and "The Best You Never Had" (a slightly faster ballad).
Songs of interest are "Bleeding Love", the first single from the album; "Better in Time", the second single (pop/R&B) which reminds me of Alicia Keys "No One"; "I Will Be", a cover of the Avril Lavigne song; "Yesterday", a pop/R&B track where she sounds like Mariah Carey; "Take A Bow", a radio-friendly R&B track; and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", a cover of the Roberta Flack hit written by Ewan MacColl. Lewis also co-wrote the songs "Whatever It Takes", a mid-tempo R&B track, and "Here I Am", a pop ballad.
Special mention should be made of the powerful and emotional ballad "Footprints in the Sand" inspired by the famous poem by Mary Stevenson, which ends:
The Lord replied
"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
Is when I carried you."
Undoubtedly talented, strikingly photogenic, and with a lovely voice, it seems a bit early for all the comparisons to Mariah Carey and early Whitney Houston, but I do believe that we'll be hearing a lot more from Leona Lewis.
Amanda Richards, May 8, 2008
 The most gifted and talented idol EVER!! April 8, 2008
17 out of 34 found this review helpful
I was never into any of the American Idols or X Factor winners for the longest time. I just always felt like artists should work hard and make a demo and send it to the record companies and still feel like this for the most part. The exception is this powerful force, Leona.
Not since 1991 when I discovered Mariah Carey has any female artist moved me or blown me away or amazed me or sent shivers down my spine the way Leona does. Leona far surpasses Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, and any other female artist since Mariah Carey.
Leona sings with so much soul and emotion and passion and it breaks my heart greatly to read that people think Kelly Clarkson is still better than Leona. Anyone who really listens to Leona will realize or should realize that Leona is just a powerhouse that Kelly could only dream of becoming. When I was watching both performances by Leona and Kelly of A Moment Like This, I could hear and see the emotion in Leona's performance and Simon, wow. Simon has never acted so excited for any idol like he has with Leona. I never saw Simon so excited like that with Kelly and it's because Leona is the REAL deal!
I find myself on the verge of tears with pretty much every song on here because Leona's voice is just so breathtaking. I also find myself stop breathing during many times throughout the album due to her incredible power. You just cannot call yourself a true vocalist fan and not fall in love with Leona as a singer. She sings in so many different ways and tones and every song is incredible.
The two songs on this album that just really move me the most and completely make me a true fan of Leona are Take A Bow and Footprints In the Sand. It's as if Leona wrote these songs just for me. I feel like this whole album was made just for me but these two especially are my #1 favorites tied.
Take A Bow is just so epic and I love everything about the song lyrically, musically, melodically and vocally. I really love the whole theme of this song and reminds me of Phantom Of The Opera and my favorite actor Charles Dance and my favorite actress Dame Judi Dench. This is what should be Leona's second single and deserves to get #1. I just cannot get enough of this song and cannot recommend it enough. It has #1 written all over it!
Footprints In The Sand is a beautiful Gospel ballad that is based off the Footprints passage written by Mary Stevenson:
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
To him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
He looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
Again, the melody, lyrics, music and vocals are just simply breathtaking. Leona won me over with this beautiful ballad.
Bleeding Love is my next favorite after Take A Bow and Footprints In The Sand. It definitely deserved #1 and I just LOVE the way she sings on this song.
I also bought the UK version prior to this version which has another amazing ballad called Homeless. It is so emotional and powerful and recommend listening to that track as soon as possible. They removed that masterpiece from this US release which is a shame but the album is flawless regardless.
Leona's version of First Time Ever I Saw Your Face completely blows the other versions out of the water. I've always loved Celine's version and never thought I'd love another version more until I heard Leona's. Leona sings this with such passion and emotion.
Here I Am is an awesome album closer and just one of the greatest ballads ever. Another masterpiece!
Every song on this album is incredible and full of power and soul and emotion and different styles and it really deserves to be #1. If you love the TRUE singing with power, you will not be disappointed with this album. Leona is everything I love about vocalists and she IS music itself. Don't pass this album up just because you may feel it's just a wanna-be singer. Leona is not just a singer. She is a force to be reckoned with who has the potential to be just as successful as Mariah, Whitney and Celine.
 Good looks and bad art... May 12, 2008
17 out of 22 found this review helpful
This album is a perfect example how a gifted vocalist is not enough for a successful album and a flourishing career. Songs are boring and dated (picked up anything and everything from similar artists over the last 20 or so years).
Music and art come from the soul, not the mixing desk and good lungs. She needs a good songwriter not just a professional (and sterile) production. Or switch to another genre where such mediocrity won't matter much (hint: big hats and boots).
over rated singer, a simon cowell cheap creation April 14, 2008
15 out of 25 found this review helpful
I heard this and though, my god its all been done before, many many times by more effective singers, she sounds all 80s shes tring so hard to sound unique she ends up sounding like a third or forth grade mariah, its sad whats big in europe does not really indicate what is good. Simon Cowell is behind her success and typical its all hype., dont waiste your money on this one just go out and pick out an old Taylor Dayne cd its more real and Dayne so much of a true singer.
A Nice start with no finish April 22, 2008
15 out of 19 found this review helpful
Bleeding Love is a great song. The rest of the album lacks any kind of direction. If Simon is going to try and sell Leona as the next Mariah, then this debut should have been better. I didn't hear any notes or songs that a dozen other singers could have done as well, if not better.
This lovely girl has talent. But, for heavens sake, let her out of the box. Those green eyes and one great single will be the height of her career if she doesn't break away from Simon and get a life.
Good luck Leona. We are all rooting for you!
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
