Rachelle Ferrell

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The first album by Pennsylvania's Rachelle Ferrell was a jazz project released only in Japan. This pop-soul followup curbs most of her jazz moves, but you can sense Ferrell's background in the way she slides gracefully through harmonies and in the way she brings a strong adult sensibility to the love songs. Like fellow jazz/R&B crossover artists Anita Baker and Oleta Adams, Ferrell is at her best on the smoldering ballads, where her smoky voice epitomizes sensuality. All the same, her Minnie Riperton-like wailing on the uptempo "It Only Took a Minute" will raise the hairs on the back of your neck. --Geoffrey Himes

Tracks:

I'm Special
Welcome To My Love
Waiting
It Only Took A Minute
With Open Arms
'Til You Come Back To Me
You Can't Get (Until You Learn To Start Giving)
Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This
I Know You Love Me
Sentimental
Could've Fooled Me
Too Late
Peace On Earth

Amazon.com

The first album by Pennsylvania's Rachelle Ferrell was a jazz project released only in Japan. This pop-soul followup curbs most of her jazz moves, but you can sense Ferrell's background in the way she slides gracefully through harmonies and in the way she brings a strong adult sensibility to the love songs. Like fellow jazz/R&B crossover artists Anita Baker and Oleta Adams, Ferrell is at her best on the smoldering ballads, where her smoky voice epitomizes sensuality. All the same, her Minnie Riperton-like wailing on the uptempo "It Only Took a Minute" will raise the hairs on the back of your neck. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

A Staple in the Rotation.......2007-07-12

I have had this CD since 1992 and it remains an all time favorite. What ever music tastes one has, this is sure to compliment on various levels...
AMP

Jazz Lover.......2007-07-07

This CD is by far one of the best jazz vocals in long time.Such great control of the voice. Iam in awe of her talent. She is truly a jazz singer extrodinare. It is amystery to me why this album was released in Japan first and not the USA.

Supremely gifted artist but. . . ........2007-05-14

This sophmore CD from Rachelle Ferrell showcases a singer who is as baffling in concert as she is supremely gifted. Apparently influenced by everyone from Aretha and 70's gospel great Sara Jordan Powell to Deneice Williams and Minnie Riperton, Ferrell's multi-octave voice approaches operatic proportions! Ferrell can soar as high as Williams or Riperton and then dive as deeply as Cassandra Wilson or Sarah Vaughan. Her stylistic range is equally broad: she can easily slide from gospel to blues to pop-soul and cool jazz. Unfortunately, she often seems more focused on wowing the audience with her chops rather than on making any emotional impact. In so doing, she leaves the melodies of her songs behind in a flurry of spectacular (and sometimes annoying) vocal runs. Ferrell's musicianship is so dizzying that it seems as if she herself does not know what to do with her wondrous gifts. Still, this CD offers the very best chance to experience her mesmerizing power when she decides to stay within the confines of conventional melody. Thankfully, her vocal pyrotechnics don't get in the way of the songs here on her second CD. She effortlessly glides from the smooth pop-soul of "Till You Come Back to Me" to a thrilling gospel-inspired duet with Will Downing ("Nothing has Ever. . .") to the stately elegy of "Peace On Earth" (where she is featured with only piano accompaniment). Rachelle Ferrell's prowess is often hair-raising, undeniably thrilling. But too often she sacrifices feeling for empty showboating and this can be very frustrating for the listener.

Sensual Music At It's Best.......2006-04-21

Rachelle's eponymous album gave us such a glimpse of jazz, pop and quiet storm r & B! Such good tunes as "Waiting", "Til You Come Back To Me", "Welcome Into My Love" and "You Can't Get (Until You Learn To Start Giving" are masterpieces. The Whole album is slamming. If you don't believe me, then cop dis!

Three words Amazing,amaizing,amazing........2006-03-16

This cd was made in Japan and it is absolutely Rachelle Ferrell at her jazzy best.This cd is now deleted,but if you can find one get it at any cost its a collectors dream come true.Please be warn that her voice sounds like an instrument with amazing highs and lows so be prepared to be blown away.

Average customer rating:

Don't Be Fooled by the Reviews :(
Rachelle Ferrell
What a Voice
Music of HER mind...
One word -- Awesome!

Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
Rachelle Ferrell
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Rachelle Ferrell
First Instrument
Live at Montreux
Greatest Love Songs
20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

ASIN: B00004W55E
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
Sista
Will You Remember Me?
I Forgive You
I Gotta Go
Why You Wanna Mess It All Up?
Gaia
Run To Me
Reflections Of My Heart
Satisfied
I Can Explain

Amazon.com

The voice! On Individuality Rachelle Ferrell's astonishing instrument (as it certainly deserves to be called) soars and swoops through a six-octave range, which makes her a rarity in the modern R&B of nubile sopranos. Ferrell is as comfortable delivering a deep, velvety growl as a soprano soar. Her work as a jazz singer-songwriter has clearly sharpened her vocal technique and added a perceptive subtlety to the arrangements that accompany it, which dwell in sweet 'n' lowdown, unplugged bass territory. Individuality is a compact, intensely personal album. It covers topics from sisterhood ("Sista") to jilted love ("I Gotta Go"), all through the eyes of a mature woman. With this album's unslick production and sincerity, Ferrell continues to set herself apart from the pack, expanding the parameters of R&B to accommodate her and her voice, not vice versa. --Lizz Mendez Berry

Customer Reviews:

Don't Be Fooled by the Reviews :(.......2007-02-25

I purchased this album thinking it would be incredible considering the rave reviews. I remember Rachelle's sultry voice from the early 90s and remembered some of her performances and decided to purchase an album. Well to my surprise, this album did not turn out to be what I expected. I truly think this is a very bad, sloppy and boring album. I had purchased this album along with her self-titled album Rachelle Farrell and this have had to been the worst purchases I've ever made on amazon along with Earl Klugh's Naked Guitar. Her albums sound like demos and although Individuality was made 12 years after her self-titled album, the album did not sound any different. There was absolutely no growth despite the reviews claiming to have had a fresh new sound.

Rachelle Ferrell.......2007-02-03

An interesting individual who sets has set her soul to music. Four stars!!

What a Voice.......2006-12-15

This woman has a voice that is indescribable. Vocally, I do not think that anyone can touch her or Teena Marie. Their voices are definitely God given. This CD is excellent and Rachelle is an artist in a rare form.

Music of HER mind..........2005-02-04

I saw Rachelle perform at the Newport jazz festival around 93/94 when she was promoting her first CD. I was impressed with her voice and her singing, but outside of a few forgettable originals she was just rehashing standards I've heard a thousand times before. From that point on I never really thought about buying any of her music...but I respected her as a singer and performer because of her talent.

A couple years ago a friend of mine (who is more into vocalists than I am) recommended this CD to me and I told him my opinion of Rachelle. He then told that "If that's the way you feel then you should DEFINITELY run out and by this CD". He was telling me that this CD was a statement of independence from her previous record contract that was forcing to just use her voice to rehash old standards and go for that gimmicky appeal of her multi-octive range (think Stanley Jordan on guitar). This CD, on the other hand, was all about the music SHE wanted to make...hence the title "Individuality(Can I be me)?"

I decided to give her another shot and boy was I glad I did.
The kind of music she wanted to make is exactly the kind of music I like to listen to! The vocalese, the instrumentation,
the songwriting, and the arrangements are all stellar. Add in the outstanding recording quality and it's also a great CD to test out your audiphile equipment.

Can you Remember and Mess it All up are my personal favs...but there is plenty to love here. Hopefully her future projects will focus on the type of music SHE wants to perform and not have to appease clueless self centered record executives.

Can you imagine how much music we would have been denied if Stevie Wonder hadn't taken the same stand against Motown in the early 70's? Ditto Ray Charles, Thelonious Monk, et al.

If you like this type of music I can also recommend Peace Beyond Passion by Me'shell N'deocello. Also an outstanding recording. Her politics may be abrasive to some...but who cares?! It's all about the music! Dionne Farris' solo album
also come to mind.

One word -- Awesome!.......2005-01-07

Rachelle Ferrell continues to mesmorize. Her voice is amazing, her lyrics have depth, and her spirit is boundless. She has truly put out another great album. I have every one, and try my best to see her each time she performs in the Atlanta area! I just wish that the masses would lift her to the level she deserves. My only complaint is that she makes us wait TOO LONG! I can hardly wait for the next project. I expect the best!

Average customer rating:

Outstanding!
Some fine singing
limited cd play
First Instrument
Extraodinary

First Instrument
Rachelle Ferrell
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
Rachelle Ferrell
Live at Montreux
Greatest Love Songs
Outrun the Sky

ASIN: B000005GWF
Release Date: 1995-04-04

Tracks:

You Send Me
You Don't Know What Love Is
Bye Bye Blackbird
Prayer Dance
Inchworm
With Every Breath I Take
What Is This Thing Called Love
My Funny Valentine
Don't Waste Your Time
Extensions
Autumn Leaves

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding!.......2007-04-11

I saw rachelle in Los Angeles and was not impressed, she did a lot of R&B. I just got turned on to this CD and find it one of the most incredible Jazz albums ever. It is too bad she would rather do R&B, there was truely room in the universe for another great jazz vocalist.

Some fine singing.......2007-01-22

First of all, I liked this CD, but was not exhillarated like most of reviewers....
Extraordinary vocal capacity is but one of the prerequisits of a great singer; for instance, compared to Ferrell, Billie Holiday had limited vocal range, but her rhythmic abilities, subtle melodic imagination and the quality of tone (timbre) made her a divine singer... She had, I guess and inborn tallent for interpretation, like Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Jon Hendricks and other great jazz vocalists.
Rachelle Ferrell is very strong on vocal technique, her sense of rhythm is excellent but somehow her interpretations are not fully satisfactory to me. It would be silly to speak of "the soul" of her singing, but at points, although fine, it sounds almost mechanical, with insufficient expressiveness in slower tempos, where her vocal gymnastics cannot be so prominent...

I'm sorry to hear she mostly recorded R$B music; this album shows promise for becoming a true vocal giant some day...

limited cd play.......2006-11-10

the music is great, the cd is made cheaply (too thin) the cd plays on my boom box but will not play in my auto cd player or my dvd player connected to my television.

First Instrument.......2006-09-06

What an appropriate title for this disc because Rachelle's voice IS like an instrument - a finely tuned one at that! I fell in love with her voice on the more r&b tinged Rachelle Ferrell album and have since backtracked and bought her previous releases as well.

This disc is just sheer perfection from beginning to end and feature Rachelle's crystal clear vocals and perfect phrasing as well as her interpretations of some old standards like BYE BYE BLACKBIRD & MY FUNNY VALENTINE.

My favorite tracks, however are those that she wrote because of the beautifully heartfelt lyrics:

WITH EVERY BREATH I TAKE - exquisite!!

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME - very sassy, Nina Simone-esque lyrics

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS - excellent

I'd highly recommend this disc to all Rachelle Ferrell fans and jazz afficionados alike - it's an excellent addition to your collection.

Extraodinary.......2006-02-27

First Instrument is beyond appropriate for this CD. Rachelle has a beautiful instrument and this album totally displays her talent.

Average customer rating:

Wow!
Ferrell Live
Amazing!
Rachelle does it again.
AWESOME, BY ANY STANDARD

Live at Montreux
Rachelle Ferrell
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
First Instrument
Rachelle Ferrell
20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
Greatest Love Songs

ASIN: B000063RSY
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

Claude Nobs Intro
You Send Me
You Don't Know What Love Is
Don't Waste Your Time
My Funny Valentine
I Can Explain
I'm Special
Bye-Bye Blackbird
Prayer Dance
With Every Breath I Take
Me Voila Seul
On Se Reveillera

Customer Reviews:

Wow!.......2006-11-17

I wouldn't really call myself a Rachelle Ferrell fan but after really listening to this CD, I have to say I am now. I think she wayyy overdoes some of it but even then, her control is absolutely unbelievable. I honestly don't know many artists today or since that could match her.

My favorite track is "My Funny Valentine." Of course its been reheated many times by many talented artists. The odd thing is that Rachelle delivers a fairly tame and classy version when I expected exactly the opposite.

The best track is "I can explain." The vocal command she displays on this track are second to none. Only Patti Labelle and maybe Whitney Houston come to mind when trying to come up with comparable voices. She seems to effortlessly go from in Me'shell Ndegeocello to Minnie Ripperton on the same track without forcing it. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm makin some serious statements but I don't make them lightly. Rachelle is extremely underrated. Take a listen. I mean reallllly listen and you'll see what I mean.

Ferrell Live.......2006-07-10

Multi-talented Ferrell is at her pristine best on this live recording. Although her studio albums show off her diversity, none of them capture her true, six-octave vocal range like "Live at Montreux". This is one of only a few live recordings where the listener actually feels present at the show(s). A must own for all jazz enthusiasts.

Amazing!.......2005-11-10

I can not describe the great ability this woman has to transform her voice into an instrument. She has one of the most amamzing voices I have heard in my life.

I purchased this cd, after hearing a little of her first cd, which I also loved, but while on a date a friend of mine played
"I Can Explain" off of the cd and it almost brought tears to my eyes and after purchasing the cd, I can not seem to stop playing it. I instantly ran to find out when I could see her in concert and to my surprise she is going to be in the DC area today. Sadly enough, I won't be in attendance but I can only imagine the showcase of talent she will display at the show.

This cd is def. a must for any Rachelle fan.

Rachelle does it again........2005-08-23

I can not step away from this album. It is a must have for anyone who appreciates a great voice.

AWESOME, BY ANY STANDARD.......2005-04-20

If you like the human voice and all it can achieve, you cannot but stand in awe after listening to this record, which shows what this woman can do with that instrument that is her voice. WOW !!! In this recording of a 1991 live concert at Montreux Jazz Festival, to which she was invited as some sort of back voice to artists of great and well deserved fame (Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan and others), she must have certainly stolen the show after her demonstration of vocal prowess & ability.
It is not only that she could really convey all the sentiment that the lyrics intended to... it will be the sheer power of her voice what will blow your senses off. Though sometimes her interpretations might resemble the effect of vocal fireworks, she does not overshadow either the spirit or the melody of the song being sung, which is a fortunate achievement, to say the least.
While nearly all of the songs in that CD are real treasures, in my opinion, the highlights of the whole CD are three songs, tracks 5 ("My Funny Valentine"), track 6 ("I Can Explain") & track 7 ("I'm Special")... and you may add "Me voila seul", a song written by Charles Aznavour which she sang as beautifully as it may get.

I'll bet you will feel all the electricity, all the exhilaration that such crowd felt back then, when she finished singing "I Can Explain", a dark, deep, extraordinarily heartfelt song of her own, which she not just only sang beautifully but also playfully where most singers simply would have given up, after reaching the highest note possible...

Hats off to her & her god-given talent !!!!... I simply wish I had been there then... ;-)

Average customer rating:

Track Listing

2001: A Sound Odyssey
Dexter Freebish, Coldplay, Maren Ord, Brent Jones & The T. P. Mobb Everclear , Pru, Dark Blu, Dave Koz, Rachelle Ferrell, Amy Correia Sunday , and The Dandy Warhols, BT, St. Germain Shannon McNally
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NK6S6M

Customer Reviews:

Track Listing.......2007-03-21

Track Listing:

1) AM Radio - Everclear
2) Leaving Town - Dexter Freebish
3) Yellow - Coldplay
4) Perfect - Maren Ord
5) Goodtime - Brent Jones & The T. P. Mobb
6) I Konw - Sunday
7) Candles - Pru
8) Quit Tellin' - Dark Blu
9) Love Is On The Way - Dave Koz
10) I Forgive You - Rachelle Farell
11) Life Is Beautiful - Amy Correia
12) Bitter Blue - Shannon McNally
13) When It All Goes Wrong Again - Everclear
14) How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead
15) Idioteque - Radiohead
16) Godless - The Dandy Warhols
17) Get Off - The Dandy Warhols
18) Shame - BT
19) Sure Thing - St. Germain

Average customer rating:

Live at Montreux
Rachelle Ferrell
Manufacturer: Toshiba EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000641Q5
Release Date: 2002-05-16

Tracks:

Claude Nobs Intro
You Send Me
You Don't Know What Love Is
Don't Waste Your Time
My Funny Valentine
I Can Explain
I'm Special
Bye Bye Blackbird
Prayer Dance
With Every Breath I Take
Me Voila Seul
On Se Reveillera

Average customer rating:

The House That Nat Built
Nat King Cole, Tisha Campbell, Rachelle Ferrell, Us3, Various artists Greg Osby , and Minnie Riperton, New Version Of Soul Richard Elliot
Manufacturer: Capital
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000QGQG8S

Product Description

Various Artists / The House That Nat Built Track Title 1. Nat King Cole / A Word From Nat 2. Renée Diggs / Oasis 3. 66 Mello -- New Version Of Soul 4. Mr. Gutterman (Space Change Mix) -- Greg Osby 5. Let's Stop Foolin' Around (Single Version) -- Somethin' For The People 6. A Word From Nat -- Nat King Cole 7. I Want To Know Your Name -- Walter & Scotty 8. Day By Day -- Portrait 9. What's The Flavor? -- Young MC 10. Cantaloop (The Slain Pass Mix) -- Us3 11. A Word From Nat -- Nat King Cole 12. Why Won't You Love Me? -- Tisha Campbell 13. I'm Special -- Rachelle Ferrell 14. Black Togetha Again (Marley Mix Clean) -- King Tee 15. Never Gonna Break Your Heart -- Richard Elliot 16. Inside My Love -- Minnie Riperton 17. Mr. Cole Won't Rock & Roll -- Nat King Cole 18. (Snippets) -- Coming Soon 19. A Word From Nat -- Nat King Cole 20. Capitol Records Promo / Check Out Capitol's "Gold Series"

Average customer rating:

A Staple in the Rotation
Jazz Lover
Supremely gifted artist but. . . .
Sensual Music At It's Best
Three words Amazing,amaizing,amazing.

Somethin' Else
Rachelle Ferrell
Manufacturer: Somethin'else
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
First Instrument
Live at Montreux
Greatest Love Songs
Outrun the Sky

ASIN: B000024TI3

Tracks:

You Send Me
You Don't Know What Love Is
Bye Bye Blackbird
Prayer Dance
Inchworm
With Every Breath I Take
What Is This Thing Called Love?
My Funny Valentine
Don't Waste Your Time
Extensions
Autumn Leaves

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A Staple in the Rotation.......2007-07-12

I have had this CD since 1992 and it remains an all time favorite. What ever music tastes one has, this is sure to compliment on various levels...
AMP

Jazz Lover.......2007-07-07

Supremely gifted artist but. . . ........2007-05-14

Sensual Music At It's Best.......2006-04-21

Three words Amazing,amaizing,amazing........2006-03-16

Musician Magazine's New Music Sampler - A Little Vol. 7

Average customer rating:

Musician Magazine's New Music Sampler - A Little Vol. 7
Sonny Landreth , PJ Harvey , Michael Penn , Rachelle Ferrell , Pahinui Brothers , Soul Kitchen , Peter Appelbaum & The Heroglyphics Ensemble , The 25th Of May , Vinnie James , and Blind Melon
Manufacturer: Musician Magazine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000FH7HP4

Product Description

2 Cd SET - Musician Magazine's New Music Sampler - A Little On The Cd Side Volume 7 // Disc One: 1. Sonny Landreth - When you are away 2. PJ Harvey - Dress 3. Michael Penn - Seen the doctor 4. Rachelle Ferrell - Til you come back to me 5. Pahinui Brothers -Jealous guy 6. Soul Kitchen - I need it bad 7. Peter Appelbaum & The Heroglyphics Ensemble - Chant #9 8. The 25th Of May - It's all right 9.Vinnie James - Save the world 10. Blind Melon- Tones of home 12. Throwing Muses - Firepile 13. Shawn Lane - Get you back 14. Balloon - Now the thrill's gone 15. Bourne and MacLeod - Moonlight dancers Disc Two: 1. Lyle Lovett - You've been so good up to now 2. Walter Beasley - Lil touch of jazz 3. John Wesley Harding - Kill the messenger 4. Dixie Dregs - Medley (Take it off the top) 5. Don-E Love makes the world go around 6. Grayson Hugh - Soul cat girl 7. Scott Henderson, Gary Willis and Tribal Tech - The Big Wave 8. Tom Waits - Goin' out West 9. Jude Cole - Start the car 10. Chuck D - Gun slinging bird 11. Dream Theater - Pull me under 12. Yothu Yindi - Djapana 13. String Trio Of New York - Jump start 14. Peter Kingsbery - A different man 15. The Zoo - Reach out

Brothers & Sisters Love From Philly with Performances By Ben Arnold, the Choir of Hope, Crushboy, Dandelion, Edo, E-tribe, Rachelle Ferrell, Jeffry Gaines, the Goats, Godpocket, Huffamoose, Jaime Kyle, Live, the Low Road, the Outriders, Papa's Gun, Peter's Cathedral, Philadelphia Boys' Choir, Matt Sevier, Suddenly Tammy!, Red Paint People, Ruder Than You, the Roots, Chuck Treece, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Grover Washington Jr., Susan Werner, Josh Wink, Zen for Primates

Average customer rating:

Brothers & Sisters Love From Philly with Performances By Ben Arnold, the Choir of Hope, Crushboy, Dandelion, Edo, E-tribe, Rachelle Ferrell, Jeffry Gaines, the Goats, Godpocket, Huffamoose, Jaime Kyle, Live, the Low Road, the Outriders, Papa's Gun, Peter's Cathedral, Philadelphia Boys' Choir, Matt Sevier, Suddenly Tammy!, Red Paint People, Ruder Than You, the Roots, Chuck Treece, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Grover Washington Jr., Susan Werner, Josh Wink, Zen for Primates

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000FVMRVY

Music:

Music

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