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Queen
Latifah - The Dana Owens Album (Interscope)
Released: September 2004
A few years ago, I watched a
movie called "Living Out Loud," and saw Queen Latifah's name in the
credits. I remembered that she'd been in some forgettable TV series, and
that she was considered to be a first-rate rap artist; but I don't much
care for rap.
When I heard her sing "Lush Life" and "Be Anything (But Be Mine)" in that
movie, and saw her act - well, I became a fan. I ran right out and bought
the "Chicago" soundtrack just to hear "When You're Good To Mama."
I heard this one was coming long before it was here. I snapped it up.
It's very good. The only disappointing cut on the disc is "California
Dreamin'."
It's the one that doesn't fit.
"Lush Life" is there, and is worth the price of the disc alone. Her
version of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" is pedal-to-the-floor fun. "Baby Get
Lost" is also great fun; "Simply Beautiful" is a cover of the old Al Green
tune that features a duet with Green.
The cover of the old Barbara Lewis tune "Hello Stranger" is true - right
down to the mushy organ backing her up.
I really hope we get to hear more like this. In the meantime - I'll keep
coughing up money for discs like the new Rod
Stewart standards album, just for a tune to keep feeding my Queen jones.
Three microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(01/17/05) |
