Soul

by Seal

Overview

Although he worked in funk and blues bands early in his career, Seal is by no means a classic soul singer. He's been virtually everything else, starting with house music in his native London, and later turning to various flavors of adult contemporary and pop music. But the power and sincerity of his voice is indisputably great, which makes him a natural to sing soul music -- where passion and conviction are prerequisites. Soul, his tribute album to the great soul songs of all time, is a sincere, well-considered affair, which comes as a small surprise considering the usual type of tribute album (with an easy-to-market concept and an easy-to-digest list of songs). It's the height of ambition not only to cover "A Change Is Gonna Come," Sam Cooke's landmark of hopeful triumphalism, but to place it as the opening song. Seal's version isn't exactly innovative, but he carries it over well. His other choices fall into either of two slots: the inspirational ballad or the sensual love song. Examples of the former come with Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" (another civil rights anthem to place alongside "A Change Is Gonna Come"), James Brown's turgid "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," and Ben E. King's "Stand by Me." (The last is the only unwise song selection; it's practically impossible to wring anything new out of that standard.) The other category, the sensual love song, includes Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long," two of Al Green's hits, and one from the Philly soul canon ("If You Don't Know Me by Now"). What makes Soul an overall success isn't just Seal's caressing vocals and obvious knowledge of how to interpret these songs faithfully without drifting away; it's the subtle yet effective production work of 15-time Grammy-winning producer David Foster. Although his work of the 2000s for Michael Buble and Josh Groban wasn't going to instill hope in the hearts of listeners, he does plenty of good work here, with earthy, organic arrangements and funky beats that are slightly clipped for a contemporary feel. Wisely, he fills in just a few of the portions of each song, relying on most listeners' familiarity with these classics to fill in the gaps. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	11/03/2008
Label:	Warner Bros.
UPC:	0093624982463

Tracks

1. A Change Is Gonna Come
2. I Can't Stand the Rain
3. It's a Man's Man's Man's World
4. Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
5. I've Been Loving You Too Long
6. It's Alright
7. If You Don't Know Me by Now
8. Knock on Wood
9. I'm Still in Love with You
10. Free
11. Stand by Me
12. People Get Ready

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Seal   Primary Artist,Bass,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
David Daughtry   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Keith Allen   Choir/Chorus,Vocals
David Foster   Bass,Piano,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass)
Marcus Brown   Bass,Guitar (Bass),Bass (Electric)
Angela Fisher   Vocals (Background)
Jason Moralis   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Dameka Jackson   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Koko Barnes   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Lawrence Dotson   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Toyia Barnes   Vocals,Choir/Chorus,Vocals (Background)
Nita Hutton   Vocals,Choir/Chorus,Vocals (Background)
Jochem van der Saag   Organ,Synthesizer
John "J.R." Robinson   Drums
Michael Thompson   Guitar,Guitar
Sharon Bryant   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Teddy Campbell   Drums
Angie Fisher   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Larry "D" Dodson   Choir/Chorus
John "4 Daddman" Robinson   Drums
Dean Parks   Guitar
Nathan East   Bass
Tony Wilkins   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Brandon Winbush   Vocals,Choir/Chorus

Technical Credits

David Foster   Arranger,Producer,Audio Production,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Ann Peebles   Composer
Nathan Watts   Composer
Henry Redd   Composer
Brad Dechtor   Arranger
Don Schesky   Arranger
Chris Owen   Assistant Engineer
Courtney Blooding   Production Coordination
Jeffrey Aldrich   A&R
Ellen Wakayama   Art Direction
Donny Phillips   Design
Hank Redd   Composer
Jochem van der Saag   Mixing,Arranger,Engineer,Producer,Sound Design,Audio Engineer,Audio Production,Drum Programming,Organ Arrangement,Vocal Arrangement
Chris Owens   Audio Engineer
Susave Green   Composer
Steve Cropper   Composer
Don Sebesky   Arranger,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Deniece Williams   Composer
Leon Huff   Composer
Smokey Robinson   Composer
Susaye Greene   Composer
Betty Jean Newsome   Composer
Bernard Miller   Composer
Kenny Gamble   Composer
Brad Dechter   Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
James Brown   Composer
Don Bryant   Composer
Curtis Mayfield   Composer
Donald Bryant   Composer
Ben E. King   Composer
Eddie Floyd   Composer
M. Hodges   Composer
Dave Reitzas   Engineer,Recording,Audio Engineer
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges   Composer
Ronald White   Composer
Sam Cooke   Composer
Louis Price   Vocal Consultant
Jerry Hey   Arranger,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Jerry Butler   Composer
Jerry Leiber   Composer
Jorge Vivo   Engineer,Audio Engineer,Digital Editing
Otis Redding   Composer
A. Green   Composer
Mike Stoller   Composer
Al Jackson, Jr.   Composer
Al Green   Composer
Brian "Big Bass" Gardner   Mastering,Remastering
Wilson Pickett   Composer
Willie Mitchell   Composer