Search - Chynna Phillips :: Naked & Sacred

Cait E. from LAS VEGAS, NV
Reviewed on 2/2/2007...

This CD has some good moments but without the Wilsons Chynna's weaknesses as a singer are readily apparent.

Standard solo effort from Chynna. Paging Carnie and Wendy

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 11/30/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Following the collapse of Wilson Phillips, one third of that harmony trio made a solo album. She goes for the different producers route, including Glen Ballard, who did Wilson Phillips' two albums, and other 80's stalwarts such as Desmond Child and Rick Nowels. The results more or less work for her, but the fact that she only had the one album shows that she was much more effective as part of the Wilson Phillips trio.The title track has a sound that should be familiar to 80's music fans, as the song was co-written by Rick Nowels and Billy Steinberg. characteristic rhythm guitar of Belinda Carlisle's music."When 2000 Comes" isn't too exceptional, although hearing her say that "I don't need to hear no new age cr-p about love" reminds me that she's not in WP anymore."Remember Me", for exes now under a different oath, is another Rick Nowels production, with haunting synths like Chris DeBurgh's "The Lady In Red." Nowels' good songwriting is still in evidence: "Remember me, because this highway is long, and who knows what will come in years/Remember me, because you can't forget your past/I'm the doorway flooded with tears/The doorways were flooded."If "I Live For You" sounds like it belonged on a Jennifer Rush album, that's because it was produced by Desmond Child. However, her voice reaches shrillness in trying to get that high note, something not to be heard on a Jennifer Rush album. She does better on another Child production, the ballad "This Close."The mid-paced "Turn Around" is the closest to a Wilson Phillips song on this album, along with the backing vocalists."Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me" wins from Diane Warren's penmanship, Desmond Child's production, and the string arrangement.I wonder what got into Glen Ballard, as "Follow You Down" is more the stuff Wilson Phillips should've had on Shadows And Light rather than the overproduced vocals on that album. However, Chynna's trying to get a higher range isn't too successful.The Desmond Child-produced ballad "Jewel In My Crown" is more like it, although these lyrics range from amusing/trite to nice: "You held me high up on a throne/you made a queen out of a clown."The final melancholy separation ballad is the Patrick Leonard-produced "Will You" with its piano and strings. She asks well-tried questions such as "Why have we separated again?" and "Am I too late?/Has heaven already closed the gate?"Chynna's vocal talent is laudable, but it only shows that her voice worked better in unison with les soeurs Wilsons, as the accompanying and backing vocalists Chynna uses don't compare. She does best on the ballads, not much on the engaging numbers."

Blew me away

... | Montreal | 01/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To begin with, I would like to point out that it is an awful shame that this album is out of print. I lucked out years ago and ordered this disc on a whim from BMG because I liked Wilson Phillips, and I absolutely fell in love with Chynna's solo release. She presents 11 solid songs, at least 5 of which could have been huge radio hits. I won't subject you to a song by song evaluation, but Chynna's voice has matured from her WP days. She sings with confidence and skill, and this album should have launched her solo career with a bang. I only hope that she returns to the studio at some point and picks up her career where this album left off. I very strongly reccomend you pick up a copy of this disc if you're lucky enough to find it. Easily my favorite pop album, and a crime that it has been relagated to obscurity when blatant filth currently tops the charts."