Search - Brenda Russell :: Two Eyes

Classic album, finally back in print!

Paul Hixenbaugh | Valley Village, CA | 11/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a terrific 1983 Brenda Russell album that was previously unavailable on CD. Here are the track titles: 1. I Want Love To Find Me
2. It's Something!
3. Hello People
4. Two Eyes
5. Stay Close
6. Jarreau
7. New York Bars
8. I'll See You Again
9. Look Down Young Soldier I've always wondered how Brenda Russell's sound transitioned from the piano ballad pop of her first album to the jazzy sophistication of "Get Here" and "Piano In The Dark." This album straddles the line between the two and shows that even in 1983, Brenda Russell was moving into an increasingly soulfoul direction. Two stunning ballads, "I'll See You Again" and "Stay Close," the hopeful "Look Down Young Soldier," and the jazzy tribute "Jarreau" make this a classic cd. Couple that with very detailed liner notes and original art and you've got an essential release for lovers of jazz, singer-songwriters, and great music in general. Hopefully this album will do well enough to entice A&M into releasing a cd of Russell's 1981 album "Love Life.""

AT LONG LAST !

bispro | France | 12/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh my... I recall four years of searching Paris high and low for the vinyl LP of this, and the great listening experience after finally owning it (it cost me more way back then than the CD costs now, but, heck! was it worth the wait!)Now you don't have to go to such lengths because someone had the excellent idea of issuing it on CD! (so far, only a short-lived Japanese CD had existed, circa 1990).What can I say about Brenda Russell? She's AWESOME! You may not immediately appreciate her raspy voice and undermined singing, but she's most certainly one of the most gifted songwriters ever this side of World War II! And once you actually get into the depth of her lyrics and the unique atmosphere of her songs, you WILL be moved by her singing."Two Eyes" was a fantastic album, and sadly, like the rest of her records, was mostly ignored by the public. Could it be that Brenda is destined to forever be a "musician's musician"? I'd say she's just too talented to ever compromise with the musical trends and goes her own, brilliant way, unashamedly. So be it!If you like the fusion of pop and jazz, Al Jarreau, Michael McDonald, Michael Franks and other similar artists, treat yourself to this CD, you won't regret it! And if ever you can get hold of a second-hand copy of "Soul Talkin'", don't miss it either... It was her best album EVER !Her current album, "Paris Rain", is energizing and delightful; her 1979 self-titled debut already displayed amazing songwriting abilities; her rendition of Sting's "Fragile" on Kirk Whalum's superlative jazz album "Cache" is another masterpiece, and my favorite version of the song; and for the icing on the cake, dig the cool, cool version of her classic "Get Here" as featured in Dave Koz's "Dave Koz & Friends" Christmas album.Brenda, you're fantastic. Keep it up!"

A true hidden treasure

Steven R. Munsch | 08/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this when i was a kid on vinyl,lost it,andthen it took years for it to finally come out on c.d. And let me tell you something guys: Have you ever had an album that you sung and new every word on every song on the album from start to finish? This is my album. From the first intro to the last fade out Ms. Russell puts her soul int the music. She takes you there. Makes you feel her love, her need, her human emotion. This is an artists artist. I have always said that she has always been under recognized for her talents, This is her best album. I know. I have all of them. It was just poorly marketed."