Barefoot on the Beach

Editorial Reviews
From Jazziz
Countless musical trends have steamrolled by since the mid '70s when this wry singer-songwriter first graced the adult-music world with his cryptic hit, "Popsicle Toes." Since then, Franks has stood his ground. On Barefoot on the Beach, he remains charmingly cool and collected; his voice, still wistful and onionskinned. And he has continued to grow as an observational lyricist.

Franks just doesn't buy into the top-40 school of "hook or forget it" songwriting. He's more interested in weaving quirky, esoteric images over solid grooves. (His backing music - Bob James, Dave Samuels, Chuck Loeb, Bob Mintzer - varies between classic, subtly brassy Steely Dan and colorful smooth-jazz vibes.) "You could jump a DC-8 and probably be here by eight" sets the tone for the frolic of the title track. Everything is fair game, from references to Ingrid Bergman and Rhett Butler on "Heart Like an Open Book" to congratulating Ponce de Leon for the youthful drive of his lover on "The Fountain of Youth."

He's quite the humorist, too. On "Double Talk," he tells a cheating mate, "Each time you lie, your profile grows... it looks just like Pinocchio's." "Mr. Smooth" is a crisp commentary on a stuck-up man. But even when Franks is expressing displeasure, his heart is light. He covers all the aspects of love from the supreme joy of "Now Love Has No End" to "Why Spring Ain't Here," but the minute he starts to boil over, he's back to the beach, having a blast. This is the kind of spring-in-your-step music Franks fashioned his career upon.

Tracks:

Barefoot On The Beach
Heart Like An Open Book
Now Love Has No End
The Fountain Of Youth
When You Smiled At Me
Double Talk
Every Time She Whispers
Why Spring Ain't Here
A Walk In The Rain
Mr. Smooth
Like Moon Behind A Cloud

Customer Reviews:

relax time.......2006-02-21

This CD is a relax in a tub of bubbles or on a good feeling memory trip. There are a couple of suprise artist with in duets with Michael that will blow your mind. You can invision yourself walking on the beach with the warm breeze touching your body. Enjoy!

Doesn't get any better..........2005-05-06

than Michael Franks. I heard this in a friend's car, and was spellbound - I had no idea who Michael Franks was at the time. Needless to say, I went a-searching, and fell in love with his utterly different, unique style.
Fantastic album, particularly 'Now Love Has No End' and ' Mr. Smooth'.

Great New Start, Great Finish.......2002-11-08

"Barefoot On The Beach" has the distinction of being both debut and swan song for Michael on Windham Jazz. Currently Michael is without a label but is touring stateside. "Barefoot" has Michael playing with contemporary Jazz, all these songs have hooks suitable for Jazz radio airplay. "Now Love Has No End" is an optimistic duet featuing Valerie Simpson, her voice beautifully compliments Michael's. There are really no surprises here, Michael still has his conversational singing style as he does all his other releases, he just played with the soundscape a little. The scatting employed in "Mr Smooth" is a bit of a departure, as is the blanking of the "F" word in the fade out. Hey, we are having an adult conversation after all.

"Bare______on the beach".......2002-07-21

sunset on the beach, or candle light in your home with your loved one. if you listen to this whole album, you will be more than barefoot by the last song. enjoy.

barefoot on the beech.......2001-07-28

One of the best I've heard ever. the band has so much heart and precision, it is a must have

Average customer rating:

Barefoot on the Beach
Michael Franks
Manufacturer: Bmg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000MZHV0A
Release Date: 2007-04-02

Tracks:

Barefoot on The Beach
Heart Like An Open Book
Now Love Has No End - Michael Franks, Valerie Simpson
Fountain Of Youth
When You Smiled At Me
Double Talk
Every Time She Whispers
Why Spring Ain't Here
Walk In The Rain
Mr. Smooth
Like Moon Behind A Cloud

Average customer rating:

Barefoot On The Beach
Dennis Davis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000PYDNIM

Product Description

1 Big Time Plans 2 Let's Get Right to It 3 Hot Texas Night 4 Barefoot On the Beach 5 I'd Do Anything 6 This Moment 7 Lessons 8 Can't Stop Thinking About You 9 Everyday 10 Nothin' I Like Better Than You 11 Turn Down the Lights 12 When Life Is Floundering (it's Time to Go Fishin') 13 Thank You Lord

Average customer rating:

Barefoot on the Beach
Michael Franks
Manufacturer: Bmg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000FWGU0M
Release Date: 2006-08-07

Tracks:

Barefoot on The Beach
Heart Like An Open Book
Now Love Has No End - Michael Franks, Valerie Simpson
Fountain Of Youth
When You Smiled At Me
Double Talk
Every Time She Whispers
Why Spring Ain't Here
Walk In The Rain
Mr. Smooth
Like Moon Behind A Cloud

Album Details

Special 24bit K2 Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Average customer rating:

Barefoot on the Beach

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000563R2
Release Date: 2006-07-27

Music:

Music

Music