[.ca] Barefoot On The Beach

barefoot on the beech:
One of the best I've heard ever. the band has so much heart and precision, it is a must have

Perfect as a Peach...:
This record, like Franks's previous tribute to Jobim (Abandoned Garden) sets further standards of taste in so-called "smooth jazz pop song" genre. Lovely and clever lyrics find a perfect ride in his inimitable voice and the backing musicians groove like mad. Check out the cool rhythms of the "The Fountain of Youth" and the balmy harmonies of the title track. I think it is a bit unfair to judge this recording against his early classics like "The Art of Tea". Styles do change, and each record must be listened for its own merits. I haven't listened to a mediocre song by MF, as yet.

Great New Start, Great Finish:
"Barefoot On The Beach" has the distinction of being both debut and swan song for Michael on Windham Jazz. Currently Michael is without a label but is touring stateside. "Barefoot" has Michael playing with contemporary Jazz, all these songs have hooks suitable for Jazz radio airplay. "Now Love Has No End" is an optimistic duet featuing Valerie Simpson, her voice beautifully compliments Michael's. There are really no surprises here, Michael still has his conversational singing style as he does all his other releases, he just played with the soundscape a little. The scatting employed in "Mr Smooth" is a bit of a departure, as is the blanking of the "F" word in the fade out. Hey, we are having an adult conversation after all.

Frankly Michael:
Over the years, Michael Franks has developed and polished a style that just screams his name when you hear it. His clever wordplay, his unabashed romanticism, his frequent reference to tropical themes and his love of samba always stand out somewhere on his albums and Barefoot on the Beach is no exception. There is a lot to like here and there are also a couple of numbers with the inevitable cutesy wince-inducing lyrics that he seems to delight in. On this album, The Fountain of Youth takes that prize. The standout song here is the sensuous, romantic duet with Valerie Simpson on Now Love Has No End. Close behind are the samba-infused Every Time She Whispers and the evocative title cut. Mr. Smooth is a slap at commercial radio and arrogant disc jockeys who feed musical pap to the public and refuse to consider playing music outside of a pre-determined format. Though this is not Michael Franks' best album, when you put it on you'll instantly recognize that it is simply and frankly Michael.

"Bare______on the beach":
sunset on the beach, or candle light in your home with your loved one. if you listen to this whole album, you will be more than barefoot by the last song. enjoy.

• Barefoot on The Beach
• Heart Like An Open Book
• Now Love Has No End - Michael Franks, Valerie Simpson
• Fountain Of Youth
• When You Smiled At Me
• Double Talk
• Every Time She Whispers
• Why Spring Ain't Here
• Walk In The Rain
• Mr. Smooth
• Like Moon Behind A Cloud