A new voice for old songs
349411
Even though many songs are familiar, she puts a beautiful and different spin on them. "A baby changes everything" is one of the most precious songs I've heard. I made everyone listen to it!
3869498
It brings me back to another time, I enjoyed listening to old songs
248082
This does not sound like the ELO I grew up with. But I really like it!
4248907
These Streets is full of songs that have an old school sound sung with a uniquely weathered voice. The lyrics are thought-provoking and capture the spirit of each song's heart-felt theme. I first heard Paolo Nutini when I was watching "the Hills," and they'd played "Rewind." I was instantly hooked. This album contains slow ballads, upbeat tunes, and mellows songs. It's a great variety of sound and worth the buy because you wind up liking every single song.
2462523
Some really good songs from the vault, a couple not so good, why it's not 5 stars from me.  But to hear that familiar voice rising again even in her 60's (!!!) is a treat.  "Lady" is the oldest song, and the one I find most interesting.  Dave Stewart is at the helm again and the production shines!
2262725
I bought this out of pure nostalgia, and was delighted to find songs I hadn't heard in forty years.  In the privacy of my car I'm surprised to hear myself singing along happily.  There is quite a variety of songs.  Those I didn't like forty years ago I don't like any better now, but it was a delight to reunite with such hits as Concrete and Clay, and Sitting on a Fence.

I might add that my radio is tabbed to WQXR and NPR, and I wasn't sure whether so much water had passed under the bridge that I couldn't enjoy the sounds of the sixties today.  I'm a fogey, but I know groovey when I hear it!
3062244
When I first heard of Simon Cowell's great find, I was anxious to hear her sing.  My first impression of "Bleeding Love" was that it was a really insipid song that sticks in your head (like a tumor).  Still, I was impressed with Leona's voice.  Having bought and listened to "Spirit" several times, I've gotta say I'm surprised Simon gave her this material to work with.  While it's true Leona Lewis is truly gifted, she deserves much better material.  It's not horrible.  It's just been done before many times over.  The CD is pleasant but doesn't stand out in any way musically.  Leona's voice stands out and let's face it, anything she sings will sound great.  These songs are well sung -- just not memorable.  Best cut (by far):  "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" followed by "I Will Be" and "Footprints In The Sand."  "Footprints" is a strange song for me.  While pretty, it has that carefully crafted feel to it of trying to be a great song rather than just being an organically great song (if that makes sense).  Will Leona have the longevity to make it in this business?  That's hard to predict.  She's definitely talented.  Let's hope the next time around her people do better by her and the whole effect winds up feeling fresh (yet timeless) rather than tired and dated.
509071
Never heard of the group, but a friend who knows my interest in traditional country music, bluegrass, Southern mountain ballads, and so-called "Americana" gifted me with this album. I think they are quite talented. I liked half the tracks very much. A couple of the vocals are, I think, assigned to the wrong voices, and a few of the songs just do not have memorable lyrics. But they are skilled, and different, and distinct, and worth supporting. As I listened to this effort three times in one day, I could not help but think that the Carolina Chocolate Drops could breath new life into old songs we consider the "property" of the Carter Family, or Jimmie Rodgers. Or even rather "new" songs that sound quite old, like "Long Black Veil." I would love to hear what they might come up with should they tackle the following songs with their "old-sounding but newly thought-out" arrangements: Away Out On The Mountain; Blue Yodel Number One; In The Jailhouse Now; Blue Yodel Number Two; Waitin' For A Train" and Frankie And Johnny (all done in the late 20's and early '30's by Rodgers.) And these Carter Family classics: Sinking In The Lonesome Sea; Gospel Ship; Wildwood Flower; The Storms Are On The Ocean; The Wayworn Traveler; My Home's Across The Blue Ridge Mountains; Black Jack Davy; The Girl On The Greenbriar Shore; Wabash Cannonball; Worried Man Blues, and My Clinch Mountain Home. From comments by the other reviewers here, I learned that the Carolina Chocolate Drops want to preserve the contributions of black string bands from back in the early days of recording, and that is worthy. But they seem to be scholars, not just musicians, and giving songs such as the ones I named, which had popularity among white audiences from the late '20's until World War II, (and a few offered new audiences in the famous folk revival of the late '50's) their unique spin might make an extremely compelling recording. Musicians as good as they are should be performing tunes and lyrics worthy of their talents.
4737733
Why are the voices different?  We like the old voices!
1794198
Bonnie Dobson's voice is very similar to that of Joan Baez's voice, and she is a very smooth excellent singer. On this album on CD her voice is supported by a symphonic orchestra, or at least the string section, which adds a lot to the recording. This is a very easy to listen to collection of songs, good but maybe no aces. It's very pleasant overall. Here she transitions from a folk singer to a pop singer very nicely.
4796022
Excellent renditions of old, but certainly not tired, standards.  Tierney Sutton, along with several others, have breathed new life into songs that have been around for a while and, in some instances, been beaten up by lesser performers.
1684488
This person has a new voice, a new "feeling". This albumn grows with you.

I can't say that its great, but its growing that way.
2236473
Old songs with a new sound, new songs that are going to be classics, there is nothing not to like about this album.  A GEM!
2307318
What a surprise, when I've heard this CD the first time: There are a lot of songs from the american songbook, like "Cry me a river", "Satin doll", Moonglight in Vermont", also uptempo songs like "Fly like an eagle" and the swingin "Brandy", the highlight is a 10 minutes life-version of "Malaguena Salerosa". This man is 75 years old and his voice is better than ever.
Folks in the San Francisco-area, there is a message for you: Trini Lopez will ROCK the RRAZZ-ROOM at the famous NIKKO-HOTEL from June, 26. till July, 1. 2012. It's a "must come", not only for Fans.
Werner Christof, Austria
2793281
Sometimes the Smithsonian Folkways can do only so much to repair old recordings, but this plaintive selection by an incredible singer is well worth having.
151841
Old sound but the voices are really good bway voices. I saw a production of this at Jones Beach in NYC many years ago. The music can't be faulted. Grieg had a thousand hummable melodies. It's due for a revival on bway.
1111609
He should redo the old tune about the Waters of Babylon. Or maybe Soolamin ((Neil Diamond) If anyone could make those old songs happen again,he could. This guy is still magic,and we haven't had enough music in the last 15 years or so.