Geri Halliwell Schizophonic CD

After leaving the enormously popular Spice Girls in May, 1998, Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) re-emerged and reinvented herself with SCHIZOPHONIC. The album is based on her experiences over the past year and shows a maturing Geri displaying "woman power" over "girl power." "Look At Me" is bombastic pop a la "Livin La Vida Loca," with a bossa nova feel to it that would fit perfectly on an Austin Powers soundtrack. "Lift Me Up" has a Spice-ish quality and features smooth multi-layered harmonies.

"Walkaway," a wistful, well-orchestrated ballad, showcases Geri's fine vocal talents and is an obvious reference to her departure from the top female group on the planet. The remainder of the album employs a variety of styles, as evidenced by the Latin-inflected "Mi Chico Latino." SCHIZOPHONIC is tightly produced and features magnificent musicianship. Spice fans as well as pop connoisseurs should buy this album immediately.

The former Ginger Spice's step into the solo arena does an acceptable job of refashioning her into a "grownup" diva. Generally underdeveloped material doesn't help, but the thin-voiced Halliwell acquits herself well enough on some pop-funk numbers and when tweaking the sort of '60s high camp of which Robbie Williams has been so fond. EMI. 1999.

This limited edition of SCHIZOPHONIC contains a VHS videocassette which features the video for "Look At Me" and an interview with Geri Halliwell.

Personnel: Geri Halliwell, Jenny O'Grady (vocals); Milton McDonald, Phil Hudson (guitar); Dhiren Raichura (electric sitar); Simon C. Clarke (alto & baritone saxophones); Tim Sanders (tenor saxophone); Roddy Lorimer (trumpet, flugelhorn); Paul Spong (trumpet); Richard Edwards (trombone, bass trombone); Annie Whitehead (trombone); Karloss Edwards (percussion); Absolute (various instruments); Tracy Ackerman, Pepsi, Shirley, Anna Ross, Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson, Shama Shah (background vocals).

Personnel: Geri Halliwell, Jenny O'Grady (vocals); Absolute (various instruments); Milton McDonald, Phil Hudson (guitar); Dhiren Raichura (electric sitar); Simon C. Clarke (alto & baritone saxophones); Tim Sanders (tenor saxophone); Roddy Lorimer (trumpet, flugelhorn); Paul Spong (trumpet); Richard Edwards (trombone, bass trombone); Annie Whitehead (trombone); Karloss Edwards (percussion); Tracy Ackerman, Pepsi, Shirley, Anna Ross, Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson, Shama Shah (background vocals).

Rolling Stone (7/8-22, p.146) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...surprising, undeniable charm. She's like a really enthusiastic impersonator, so anxious to win you over that you give in..."
Q (8/99, p.100) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...it's quite good fun. This goes for SCHIZOPHONIC as a whole....it isn't haute cuisine, but then neither is pop music as a whole....[It's] the kind of snack you can eat without ruining your finer appitites."