SITE TOOLS
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Dianne
Reeves
Never Too Far
By Steven Fullwood
Best
described as Dianne Reeves' "R&B album," Never Too Far
is at best an attempt to further the singer's own musical journey
while cashing in on those enthralled with her classic Better
Days. George Duke lends a producing hand, and the results are
uneven at times and listless at others. Yet her fantastic cover of
Rickie Lee Jones' "Company" alone makes the disc worth
purchasing.
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The title song is a sweeping ballad that
demonstrates Reeves' flexibility as a vocalist, and presents her as a
contender for middle-of-the-road, Whitney Houston-esque tunes. On
"Haven't I Seen You Before," written and produced by the
gospel outfit Take 6, who also contribute honey-smooth background
vocals, Reeves takes each and every curve with the style and flair of
a jazz vocalist. She slows things down a bit on "More to
Love," and "Come In," the latter of which Reeves digs
into with relish.
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The aforementioned tunes, in addition to
"We Belong Together" and "Company," are the main
reasons to add Never Too Far to your collection. On "We Belong
Together," Reeves takes off on a cosmic journey letting her
substantial voice creep and bounce around Duke's synthesizers. With
"Company," written by street storyteller Rickie Lee Jones,
Reeves' vulnerability taps the heart as she falls face-first into the
song. Jones' bare story of love loss is beautifully captured in
Reeves' clear-as-a-chime phrasing - a triumph of proportions. M
June 2002 |
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