Emma Bunton: Free Me (UK) CD Track Listing

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Emma Bunton Free Me (UK) (2004)
Free Me (UK)\nEmma Bunton\n\nOriginally Released March 9, 2004 (UK) or May 4, 2004\nOriginally Released January 25, 2005 (USA)\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Of all the Spice Girls, Emma Bunton tended to disappear into the background. Her four partners in the group all had powerful personas, and Bunton's bland sweetness simply could not compete next to Victoria Beckham's sultry ice queen Posh Spice or Geri Halliwell's brassy, sassy Ginger Spice. So, when the Spice Girls parted ways after 2000's abortive Forever it seemed inevitable that she would simply fade away. Then again, at one time it seemed inevitable that Gary Barlow would eclipse his former Take That bandmate Robbie Williams on the pop charts, and it didn't turn out that way, so first impressions shouldn't be trusted when it comes to British teen pop groups -- a theory that receives further support with the release of Emma Bunton's superb second album, Free Me. It, quite simply, isn't just the best Spice Girls solo album -- which, given such disasters as Geri's Scream if You Wanna Go Faster, isn't that hard -- it's the best Spice-related record, and the best mainstream British pop album since Robbie at his heyday. Taking a cue from the stylish update on swinging '60s London that Saint Etienne pioneered in the '90s, Free Me is a breezy, effervescent set of light pop. Hints of Bacharach and bossa nova are scattered throughout the album, strings sweep songs into their choruses, beats are strong but take a backseat to melody. This music is stylish without being flashy, thanks in large part to the charmingly tuneful, sturdy songs (all but one bearing a writing credit from Emma). While Bunton may still have a small, sweet voice, she's developed a stronger presence on record, giving this album not just a face, but a fetching persona that's hard to resist. Unlike the Spice Girls albums, or most other dance-oriented pop albums, this is not a singles-and-filler record -- it's a collection of strong, effervescent tunes that are immediately winning and get better with repeated listens. If Bunton weren't a former Spice Girl, Free Me would still be a terrific album, but given her past and how she was pretty much considered a has-been, the strength of this record is all the more remarkable. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAmazon.com Product Description\nFollowing her massive success in 2003 with her brilliant singles 'Free Me' & 'Maybe' & her 2004 smash 'I'll Be There' everyone's favorite former Spice Girl releases her highly anticipated album entitled 'Free Me'. Recorded throughout 2003 in the UK & Spain, 'Free Me' is a diverse, energetic album that oozes sophistication. A marked maturity of sound is featured on this record which Emma herself describes as having, "a real 60's influence". The album features collaborations from such esteemed hit makers as Cathy Dennis, Yak Bondie, Simon Ellis & Henry from Zero 7 & is Emma's most accomplished achievement to date. A great pop record from a great pop star. 12 tracks including all three of the smash hit singles mentioned above, along with a 16-page full color booklet with some great photos. 19 Recordings/Universal. 2004.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nFree and Lovely, October 9, 2004\nReviewer: W. Davidson "pop culture fan" (Melbourne, Australia)\nThumbing her button nose at current chart trends Emma (Bunton, once Baby Spice, now seems to prefer simply 'Emma') has come up with something of a surprise with this contemporary and sophisticated pastiche of 1960's Swinging London, Bossa Nova and bubblegum music. It's a brave move, and a very successful one. \n\n'Free Me' matches Emma's honeyed vocals against equally lush orchestral arrangements, Latin cocktail rhythms and excellent pop songs evocative of Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch, Antonio Carlos Jobim and James Barry. She channels the spirit of 60's Brit girls such as Sandie Shaw and Cilla Black, evokes the lounge calm of Astrud Gilberto and even mixes in the charm of Motown and early 70's easy listening. I'm sensing we're seeing an artist more in control of her output than in the past (the album title alone seems to suggest this, also, Emma has co-written all but one track on the album). \n\n'Maybe' (also a single) is the stand-out track with an infectious melody and its lush Georgie Fame rhythms. The natural extension of the song is the brilliant campy film clip with its way-out Vogue `69 fashions and crazy choreography. I only wish there was a 'Movin' With Nancy' (Sinatra) style TV special to accompany the whole album. There's a touch of James Bond ('Free Me' and 'No Sign of Life'), pop anthems ('I'll Be There') and musical hooks at every turn ('Tomorrow', 'Breathing'). The solitary cover (and current UK single) is 'Crickets Sing for Annamaria' (originally by Latin maestro Marcus Valle). Although perhaps more obviously suited to, say, Bebel Gilberto, Emma pulls it off magnificently. 'Lay All Your Love On Me' co-penned by Cathy Dennis (Kylie, Britney hit machine) is more cute than the chart-blazer I was expecting, but excellent nonetheless. \n\n'Who the Hell Are You' reminds a little of Emma's Spice Girls past (and not just because of the title) and 'Amazing' is the song they should have left off the album. As she has side-stepped current fashion for longevity and quality I doubt this album will age the way that the records of many of her contemporaries do. Even her Spice sisters, I mean, will you be listening to Geri Halliwell's "Scream If You Want to Go Faster" five years from now? Are you listening to it now? Who's Geri Haliwell? \n\nAfter a strong start and solid centre 'Free Me' does lose a little steam towards the end but overall it's a brilliant example what a great pop album can be: Fun, catchy, memorable and all without pandering to the trends of the current market. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nBunton's Sounds are Superb. Simply, Superb!, February 27, 2006\nReviewer: V. "Spy Guy" (Texas, USA)\nSince I was a kid in the 1960's, I've always enjoyed the pop sounds of that era. The lounge sounds of Burt Bacharach, Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66, of "Look of Love" Dusty Springfield and Marilyn McCoo. And, I thought original music in the genre had long since disappeared, only to be enjoyed on reissued CD's and the occassional James Bond rerun (Connery only). \n\nWell, here it is again in the sounds of Bunton on "Free Me". In a word, this is a "lush" album. Frankly, I was surprised. My daughter was but a moderate Spice Girls fan, and I would only get an ear of their music through her door. Didn't know much about them. But, a while back I was poaching the books while drinking my coffee at Borders when I heard something over the PA I hadn't heard in a long time--original 1960's influenced melodies. When the clerk told me who the artist was, I admitted to having never heard of her (I didn't know any of the Spice Girls by name only) but bought the album on the spot and took it home. \n\nI have a vintage 1968 Corvette in which I pretty much only play vintage 1960's music. But the "Free Me" album is a great interface for pure pleasure driving the car--especially at night. This album is simply SUPERB, lush, in evoking moods--much in ways of Bacharach, Sinatra, and Springfield. \n\nBunton is spot-on with regards to vocal timbre of the 1960's, but even more impressive are the orchestral arrangements. It is quite apparent that no expense was spared in the hiring of top notch musicians for this album. The album is well-made. After listening through a few times, set your player to Random to see just how nicely produced is each song. Insofar as Bunton was also a co-writer on each song, this just proves that she had a sense of wanting to capture the important pop tonalities of the 1960's from the start. \n\nIronically, the only time the album lags is when she departs from the '60's pop sound for a modern duet ("Amazing") that sounds like the theme to the 1980's Bruce Willis/Sibyl Shepard "Moonlighting" television show. Odd, and out of place, the inclusion of this one. \n\nOtherwise, an excellent effort from Bunton that is highly recommended for someone looking for music influenced by the 1960's atomic lounge pop sounds. It's lush, it's fun, it's romantic, and it's a different sound for today--especially in a top-down 'Vette in the summer nightime city. I very much hope she stays with this for a while. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA delicious slice of 60s pop with a scoop of bossanova., February 13, 2005\nReviewer: Ear Candy (Boston, MA USA) \nDespite this being Emma Bunton's second time around as a solo artist, 'Free Me' is actually her first disc to be released in America. In 2001, Virgin Records oversaw the release of her first album, 'A Girl Like Me,' which was not released in the US market. Shortly after they dumped her from their roster. \n\nYet out of her departure with Virgin came 'Free Me,' Bunton's more mature, sophomore effort overseen by 19 Records. On her first album Bunton hadn't quite found her sound. It was a bit erratic and possessed a hodge podge of pop tracks mixed with lite R&B tracks, whereas 'Free Me' possesses a unique 60s sound reminiscent of Petula Clark. Working closely with music guru Simon Fuller and 19 Recordings, Emma managed to find her sound and craft an album that is not only timeless but original. \n\nThe album's opener and title track, 'Free Me,' possesses a sexy James Bond theme with a heavenly chorus and lush horn sounds. Bunton's voice sounds ever so sweet and blends wonderfully with the rich instruments found on this track. What follows is 'Maybe,' the album's pinnacle and arguably one of the most infectious pop songs of the last decade. Straight out of the 60s, Emma works her magic with catchy 'ba da ba da ba' bits strewn over a bossanova beat that includes light drums, pianos, and horns. It's a blast from the past pop song that one might expect to find as the themesong to an Austin Powers film. And 'I'll Be There' is crafted in the same light. It's dramatic and includes a big, sing-out-loud chorus and a fantastic instrumental breakdown. \n\n'Breathing' is a stand out track which features more of Emma's sweet as candy vocals that drip over subtle maracas and light drums. The long player picks up with another album gem, 'Crickets Sing For Anamaria,' which despite its odd title is an interesting piece. Although it is a cover song and a difficult one at that, Emma manages to make it all her own. Rising up to the challenge, she glides through the difficult, quick chorus with ease. It deviates from the 60s theme slightly in that it is very Latin influenced. It's a definite contender with 'Maybe' for the title of the most unique song on the album. \n\nMidway through the album Emma adopts a bit of an attitude in 'Who The Hell Are You?' Yet her vocals retain the same sweetness found throughout 'Free Me,' despite singing a song about being jilted by a lover. 'I know what I like, I don't like you very much. Here's one thing you can do, stay out of touch,' sings Bunton in the breakdown before the drums kick back in and she dives back into the chorus. 'Lay Your Love On Me,' which follows, is a sexy Cathy Dennis penned track that see's Emma back to oozing sex appeal and talking about the birds and the bee's. \n\nThe 60s fest comes to an end with 'Something So Beautiful,' a number where Emma's light, sometimes whispery vocals sound incredible as they intertwine with horns and strings before being joined by light drums. The disc finishes with two fantastic dance remixes of the title track, 'Free Me,' by Dr. Octavo and Full Intention. While the Full Intention mix is superb, the Dr. Octavo mix goes one step further and surrounds Emma's vocals with swirling synth sounds that turn the song into an anthematic club stomper. \n\nWhile artists like Britney Spears and Hilary Duff rely on electronic music, Emma opts for live instruments. Rich sounds and tone color are heard through the album. 'Free Me' is a triumph, a real delightful throwback to 60s music that would have been wasted had one of Bunton's contemporaries tried to make this album.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nPerfect answer to a quiet afternoon, February 3, 2005\nReviewer: Furiae (USA)\nBack when she was one of the Spice Girls, Emma Bunton made the impression with me of being the most polished, controlled singer out of all the girls. While Melanie Chishom's 'Northern Star' still ranks top as my favorite solo album from a Spice Girl, Emma's album is fantastic in its own right. \n\nEmma's album is very smooth, laid back, and... well.. groovy. Something about the tunes reminds me of the 70's. Even the album art and photos in the lyric booklet and cover evoke the decade. I've found that the CD is great for listening to when relaxing. It's nothing like the music on the radio today, but at the same time, they are great pop songs. \n\nEmma was not the most powerful or dramatic singer, but she was easily the most polished. Her tone is smooth, lovely, and she was always controlled. When she was in the Spice Girls, hers was the voice that always caught my attention as being the prettiest. There is a graceful quality to her tone, and she doesn't need to oversing. Actually, the more laid-back the song, the more her voice sparkled. Power-singing and belting do not show off her voice well at all. That being said, every song on 'Free Me' suits her voice wonderfully. They're not power ballads, but laid-back songs that don't overreach. Even the upbeat songs suit her voice. \n\nTeen candy pop this album is not, so if you're looking for Spice Girls 2.0, this isn't your cup of tea. This album is closer to Dido than it is Britney. \n\nStandouts on this album are: Free Me, Free Me (Dr. Octavio remix), and the gem Something So Beautiful, which is easily the most beautiful song not only on this album, but the most beautiful song I've heard in a while. Something So Beautiful is really a gorgeous song perfectly suited for her singing--her voice makes the song. \n\nAll in all, this is a good album. The songs are good and will definitely get some time on my playlist.\n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nPersonnel include: Emma Bunton (vocals); Graham Kearns (guitar); Martin Hayles, Helene Muddiman, Pete Gordeno (keyboards); Mike Peden, Steve Pearce, Paul Turner (bass guitar); Charlie Russell (drums, programming); Ralph Salmins (drums).\n\nProducers: Mike Peden; Yak Bondy; Cathy Dennis; Fabien Waltman; Tim Lever.\n\nRecording information: 2003 - 2004.\n\nIndustry Reviews\n3 stars out of 5 - [E]asy-listening fluff so lusciously lush and lovingly retro that it's nearly radical...
This misc cd contains 12 tracks and runs 44min 30sec.
Freedb: a10a6c0c
Buy: from Amazon.com

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