Bob & Kate,
Just my two cents BUT...Joan's latest ("How Sweet It Is") is a big
disappointment to me---and I LOVE her! I mean, great song choices for sure,
but I don't care for the forced 'vibe' I get of trying to make this one a
hit. It's a bit too MOR---smooth and sanitized for me. Also, too many songs
are swamped in horns, faux strings and background vocals, and I've never
really cared much for the bland approach to production favored by a certain
John Leventhal.
Having said that, I HIGHLY recommend her previous release, "Righteous Love"
(2000). It's 'harder,' edgier and much more challenging---and thus, at the
same time, much more rewarding. As far as sales go, it bombed big time. Yet,
I think it's the best record of her relatively short career.
XXXOOO,
Billy
