Fantasia Barrino’s much-anticipated solo CD, Free Yourself, is everything Fantasia’s American Idol performances promised— soulful, personal, powerful.
This young diva-in-training remakes such classics as Willie Nelson’s “You Were Always On My Mind” and the Gershwin favorite, “Summertime” while also incorporating three tracks co-written by Missy Elliot. Produced by the revered Clive Davis, this CD will make itself at home in your CD player or stereo from the minute you open it.
Fantasia deserves serious props for the success of “I Believe”, which went straight to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart last summer, even making Billboard history—Fantasia is the first artist in Billboard’s Hot 100 history to debut at No. 1 with a first single.
The song was co-written by another American Idol contender, Tamyra Gray, who also contributed background vocals to “I Believe.”
Fantasia’s strong yet emotive vocals raise the bar for all performers tackling fresh, new ballads. Its surging, feel-good arrangement is both uplifting and inspiring, reflective of Fantasia’s goals as a performer.
“Baby Mama”, a funky song that sends a shout-out to single moms everywhere, acknowledges the trials and tribulations of single-mama-hood, and offers both hope and recognition for women raising kids alone. Fantasia, single mama to young daughter Zion, says in her bio, “There are a lot of other artists out here who have also been through the struggle and until now, no one has really done a song about being a single mom and I said, ‘let me be the one to do it’. I could really connect to the lyrics.”
In addition to being a hopeful and uplifting song, “Baby Mama” makes those of us who are not baby mamas think about the strength these women must possess, and the props they all deserve. Fantasia has certainly honored this under-appreciated population with this track.
While “Baby Mama” holds the most personal significance for Fantasia, a number of Free Yourself songs also reflect real-left experiences from the singer’s own life, including “Ain't Gon’ Beg You,” produced by the Underdogs (they also worked with Fantasia on “You Were Always On My Mind”). Fantasia can also relate to the “old school-flavored title cut of the album,” “Free Yourself,” produced by Missy Elliott along with “Good Lovin’.” Another Missy Elliot collaboration “Selfish (I Want U 2 Myself)” was not only produced by her, she also busts a nice rhyme on the cut. Missy and Fantasia sound great together.
While America Idol fans will fondly remember Fantasia’s rendering of “Summertime” during the competition, the version recorded on this CD is more traditional, taking less leeway than Fantasia did when she first performed the tune without having ever heard it before.
An even more memorable offering, though, is the old-style R&B rumination about lost love. Mixed with the sound of old, scratched vinyl records on top of the bluesy instrumentation and soulful vocal delivery, this song is refreshingly unique in its presentation.
If Free Yourself has a failing, it is only that Fantasia didn’t cover Bonnie Raitt’s “Let’s Give Them Something To Talk About,” which was her breakout selection during the American Idol 3 competition. Perhaps we’ll be treated to the Raitt song on a later recording, for Free Yourself will obviously not be Fantasia’s only offering. She is here to stay and, considering her very young age, destined to grow even further as a performer.
© 2005 GayWired.com, All Rights Reserved
This young diva-in-training remakes such classics as Willie Nelson’s “You Were Always On My Mind” and the Gershwin favorite, “Summertime” while also incorporating three tracks co-written by Missy Elliot. Produced by the revered Clive Davis, this CD will make itself at home in your CD player or stereo from the minute you open it.
Fantasia deserves serious props for the success of “I Believe”, which went straight to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart last summer, even making Billboard history—Fantasia is the first artist in Billboard’s Hot 100 history to debut at No. 1 with a first single.
The song was co-written by another American Idol contender, Tamyra Gray, who also contributed background vocals to “I Believe.”
Fantasia’s strong yet emotive vocals raise the bar for all performers tackling fresh, new ballads. Its surging, feel-good arrangement is both uplifting and inspiring, reflective of Fantasia’s goals as a performer.
“Baby Mama”, a funky song that sends a shout-out to single moms everywhere, acknowledges the trials and tribulations of single-mama-hood, and offers both hope and recognition for women raising kids alone. Fantasia, single mama to young daughter Zion, says in her bio, “There are a lot of other artists out here who have also been through the struggle and until now, no one has really done a song about being a single mom and I said, ‘let me be the one to do it’. I could really connect to the lyrics.”
In addition to being a hopeful and uplifting song, “Baby Mama” makes those of us who are not baby mamas think about the strength these women must possess, and the props they all deserve. Fantasia has certainly honored this under-appreciated population with this track.
While “Baby Mama” holds the most personal significance for Fantasia, a number of Free Yourself songs also reflect real-left experiences from the singer’s own life, including “Ain't Gon’ Beg You,” produced by the Underdogs (they also worked with Fantasia on “You Were Always On My Mind”). Fantasia can also relate to the “old school-flavored title cut of the album,” “Free Yourself,” produced by Missy Elliott along with “Good Lovin’.” Another Missy Elliot collaboration “Selfish (I Want U 2 Myself)” was not only produced by her, she also busts a nice rhyme on the cut. Missy and Fantasia sound great together.
While America Idol fans will fondly remember Fantasia’s rendering of “Summertime” during the competition, the version recorded on this CD is more traditional, taking less leeway than Fantasia did when she first performed the tune without having ever heard it before.
An even more memorable offering, though, is the old-style R&B rumination about lost love. Mixed with the sound of old, scratched vinyl records on top of the bluesy instrumentation and soulful vocal delivery, this song is refreshingly unique in its presentation.
If Free Yourself has a failing, it is only that Fantasia didn’t cover Bonnie Raitt’s “Let’s Give Them Something To Talk About,” which was her breakout selection during the American Idol 3 competition. Perhaps we’ll be treated to the Raitt song on a later recording, for Free Yourself will obviously not be Fantasia’s only offering. She is here to stay and, considering her very young age, destined to grow even further as a performer.
© 2005 GayWired.com, All Rights Reserved
Article provided in partnership with GayWebMonkey.com.
