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Welcome to EvO:R Entertainment |
The Independent Musicians CD Reviews
Welcome to the EvO:R Independent CD Reviews Section.
I would like to take a few minutes to introduce ourselves to everyone. The EvO:R review section
features reviews from various independent musicians that submit material for our consideration.
I wanted to let you know a little
about our review teams collective thoughts on music. It's important to let the people that we review know how we
think of their music and how we listened to their creations.
First of all, we strongly believe that if your music stinks then
the world should know about it! After all, you have the nerve to charge as much for
your stuff as the majors do so it better be pretty damn good. If your material is good, we'll be glad to
tell the world. I We will hold nothing back! That is a promise.
The EvO:R CD Review Team
In The City
by
Jodie Levinson
Reviewed by: Charlie Harrelson
Lessons of life and love put to music and sung by a marvelous up and coming singer.
In the City is music from the streets played by solid musicians that
know how to lay back and let the singer preach the gospel of life.
In the City marks Jodie's first full length album with veteran and Emmy-winning composer/producer, Lisa Ratner.
I did a search of Lisa Ratner and came up with little evidence of any Emmy's. The only mention of the awards where linked to
Jodie's CD but who cares at this point.
Lisa did a fantastic job with the production. I wished that Levinson would have pulled the rap segment from track 3.
I think the idea was to cover
as many vocal styles as possible to exploit the artist's versatilty and I think a producer should be the one to
step forward and say that something doesn't fit because that segment was the only let down.
SOME WORDS FROM JODIE:
"I write songs to help keep me sane and also to track my time. I spend most of my day listening to music
that inspires and enlightens me, as well as reading books with narrators whom I can relate to. I hope
that my stories resonate with listeners and the songs make people feel good! I 've learned so much
this past year making In the City, and I cannot wait to get back into the studio and continue to
create and carve out my sound."
The title song is the class act of the album as it really brings out the fun that can be created in the studio.
I was dissapointed to not see credits for flute and horns on the title track so I am to assume they are all
generated through samples or sythesizers. I must give producer Lisa Ratner a tip of the hat for this one because
they sounded live. Track 2 was a lot of fun to listen to as well. It's just a happy song. In a world that we live in today
with all the talk of war on terror, financial termoil and politcal double talk it is nice to listen to
a song which can make us smile.
In the City delivers a polished performance that is well produced. For a first effort this CD goes way beyond the
freshman expectations. My only suggestion is for Jodie to save the rap for the rappers and do what you do best.
Song Samples from the CD
All song samples are from Jodie Levinson's page on CD Baby.
Quand Va T'il Arriver
You Make Me Smile
Lazy Sunday
Books, Tea
Grass Ain't Green
Matter of Taste
Rough Boys
Strangers
In the City
Like the Rain
In the Studio:
Produced , Arranged and Engineered by Lisa Ratner for East West Music.
Mastered at Fastrax Studios in South Salem, N.Y. by Lisa Ratner.
The CD was well recorded with the sultry voice of Jodie coming through the mix
with amazing detail and sharpness.
The engineer (Lisa Ratner) didn't drowned Jodie's voice with delay and reverb relying on mic placement
and maybe a touch of compression. What you hear is her voice, not the studio and I loved that.
Conclusion:
You have read my only complaint about the rap part on track 3. The rest of this CD is first class story telling
put to a solid foundation of great music, musicians and production. I would be very pleased if this was my first album and I
look with great expectaion for this artists the next effort.
Rating
10 star rating average – This CD gets 7 1/2 stars.
It's a great CD to just sit back, relax and listen to a great singer/songwritter.
Charlie Harrelson...EvO:R Reviewer.
The EvO:R CD Reviews Home Page
Want EvO:R to review your music?
It will be honest and above all, very interesting.
All you need to do is send your CD to:
Charlie Harrelson
EvO:R Reviewer
855 Markham Wood Rd
Longwood, Fl.
32779
Reviews will appear in the order that CD's are sent so don't delay
as it takes a couple weeks now and we just got started!
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