On MAMA SAID, Lenny Kravitz builds on the edgy soul-rock of his debut, streamlining his sound in both songcraft and production. The opener, "Fields of Joy," moves from ethereal verses that evoke a bucolic summer's day to power-chord-heavy refrains and screaming guitar solos. The Stax/Volt-esque soul of "Stand By My Woman," the bossa nova groove of "What Goes Around Comes Around" (which finds Kravitz mining a clear Curtis Mayfield influence), and the heavily phased rocker "Stop Draggin' Around" are all finely honed tributes to classic '60s and '70s sounds.
That Kravitz is an unabashed fan of the old school is what, ultimately, makes his music so enjoyable, and he manages to synthesize his influences with style and economy. MAMA SAID's two standout tracks, "Always on the Run" and "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over," are cases in point. The former is a lean, riff-driven rock song that recalls both Jimi Hendrix and early Funkadelic; the latter a string-sweetened ballad that could have been pulled straight from the Philly Soul catalogue. Kravitz's flair for re-imagining rock, pop, and soul, topped by his fine production sense, keeps it all appealing. The buttons he pushes are no less pleasurable for being so familiar.
Audio Mixer: Henry Hirsch.
Photographer: James Calderarro.
Arranger: Lenny Kravitz.
Personnel: Lenny Kravitz (vocals, guitar, organ, bass, drums); Slash, Adam Widoff (guitar); Nancy Ives (cello); Karl Denson, Butch Tomas (saxophone); Mike Hunter (trumpet); Sean Ono Lennon (piano); Henry Hirsch (keyboards, bass); Lebron Scott (bass); Zoro (drums).
Personnel: Lenny Kravitz (vocals, guitar, sitar, Fender Rhodes piano, Mellotron, synthesizer, drums); Adam Widoff, Slash (guitar); Nancy Ives (cello); Butch Tomas, Karl Denson (saxophone); Michael Hunter (trumpet); The Phenix Horns, The Phoenix Horns (horns); Henry Hirsch (piano, organ, Mellotron, mini-Moog synthesizer); Sean Lennon (piano); David Domanich, Zoro (drums).
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Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.55) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's." Rolling Stone (4/18/91) - 3 Stars - Good - "...a talent for crafting and arranging engaging songs..."
A great album This is one of my favorite Lenny Kravitz albums. It is his second album and where is starts to define his sound. At this same time you can feel what is going on with his personal life. At this time, he has a new daughter with his wife, Lisa Bonet. And, his marriage is in strive. A great album for anyone who has loved. Submitted by kevin_tabor (North Tazewell, VA USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Lenny's best This is always the best work from Lenny
so heartful and painful
You usually listen to a record as a collection of songs, some you like some you don't
but not this, man, this could be a 56 min. song
at least but not last Slash's left his sign on two songs and this is how a real guitar should sound!! thanks Submitted by gti16 (BAGNOLO IN PIANO,RE,ITALY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
I think this man is personal You don't like being personal, then you don't what this record is about! Best track - Always on the Run. This has a real psychedelic groove. Yeah :) Submitted by skank992002 (Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Have you heard this album?
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