Alison Moyet

The Turn is an excellent piece of work from the talented Alison Moyet. Although quite different than her earlier work (Hoodoo, Essex, etc.), The Turn shows Alison's blusey voice and unique instrumentation. Can't Say It Like I Mean It is an amazing track and definitely a highlight of the album. The Sharpest Corner (Hallow) is another track that is often on repeat in the car. It starts off dramatic and builds from there. I hope folks enjoy the album as much as I do.

I've been waiting for Ms. Moyet to return (or at least revisit) her techno roots (see Yaz in America) - and this record at least revisits it. She continues to grow into a stylist, but now with all of her own material, and touches many genres with this disc. Pure enjoyment!

The wide range of revues on this CD has stalked Alison Moyet her entire career. If the song isn't thumping on the dance floor it must be awful. This release has Alison going down that emotional roller coaster that her original works are. She doesn't lack for bravura or intensity. Each CD Alison Moyet releases evolves stylistically. She has gone from disco diva, to standards torch singer and everywhere in between. This time she takes that alto down the shine of bluesy pop with great success. "It's not the matter Henry" is a particular standout that reminds me of the Hoodoo disc. There isn't a bum track to be had. If Alison Moyet had stuck to dance tracks, we and the world would have lost interest a long time ago.

I am currently constructing my Top 10 favourite Albums and this is absolutely one of them. As another reviewer has said listen to this album a few times it will get under your skin. Best album yet from one the greatest vocalists of our time. Other albums appearing in my top 10 are Wrecking Ball - Emmylou Harris, A Kick Inside - Kate Bush, Tapestry - Carol King, Red Dirt Girl - Emmylou Harris, The Red Shoe - Kate Bush, The Way We Were - Barbra Sreisand, Superman - Barbra Streisand, Hometime -Alison Moyet. Do yourself a favour pair this album with her DVD One Blue Voice its a knock out.

Moyet's voice is used, to no avail. Drab, depressing and dull. Beyond words is the void that is this LP.

Enya's music may be heard by some as celestial, after hearing this collection of songs, some may change their minds. Moyet's voice is out in front, albeit the music's playing, one's ears don't bend to that noise. I liken the "music" on this disc to the gold band that holds the flawless diamond in place. This is true nirvana: Thank you God.

This is a strong song suite sung with Alf's trademark craft and very nicely produced. "Je Crois Entendre Encore" is a beautiful track. (The only demerit I would give is re-writing the lyrics at the end of "Almost Blue")
But am I missing something? My cd didn't have Alfie on it.

I've been a fan of Moyet's take-no-prisoners alto since the Yaz days, and I always knew she had more legitimate music in her. This album hints at that, but never quite lives up to the potential. Her phrasing is dreadful -- she likes to take big noisy breaths between significant words. A few tracks succeed, like the two French-language songs, the English folk song, and "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life," with those amazing sweet old lyrics by the Bergmans. Other choices like "The Man I Love" and two Elvis Costello numbers have been done better by singers from Ella to Audra. Even the pitch-impaired Gwen Stefani did a better job with "Amost Blue."

Rather than give a play by play review, I'll help you out with a quick note to supplement the thoughtful writings (and occassional hyperbole) you'll find in other customers reviews.

When asked about the title for this project by a journalist who was mistakenly thinking she was referring to herself as perhaps "The Voice" (ala Streisand or Sinatra), Moyet hastily pointed out the real meaning of the title: all of these songs place a primary importance on the usage of the human voice as a musical instrument, and afforded her a chance to learn and stretch her own abilities. Rather than anoint herself and give us a predictable and slick package of "Standards", she was simply using the opportunity to learn (as in a college course that might be called "Voice"). Along the way she got to pay tribute to songs that intrigued her. She approaches the legacy of one of the greats here: Dusty Springfield. In fact she covers two songs Dusty had recorded, and her phrasing, though exquisite, is not content to copy anyone. She makes these songs her own, and we, like her, find ourselves learning along the way.

Once viewed in the proper light, it becomes apparent just how wonderful the occassion of these recordings truly is. Anne Dudley was criticized for what some called "boring" arrangements. The word is "understated" or maybe "tasteful", people. For example: I don't recall ever hearing a string quartet on "Windmills of Your Mind", nor do I recall noticing it was used here until one of many recent listens.

Dudley and Moyet have taken the high road here. Follow them, and see familiar musical terrain from a delightful and elevated perspective.

There are a number of beautiful pieces in the album Voice that will leave you entranced by enchanting arrangements and Moyet's potent vocalization. Some of these are the "Windmills of your Mind", "The Man I Love", and "Alfie". Among the more appealing songs is the classic "What Are you Doing the Rest of Your Life". A number that so many performers have sung and have done no justice to, Moyets version is simple, romantic, nostalgic, and perfectly balanced. There is nothing generic or "cabaret-ish" about Moyet's Voice album, nor does it conjure images of a chain-smoking lounge singer at a musky downtown bar. The performances in this album by both singer and arranger are as classy as the song themselves.

"Love Resurrection" has one of the finest instrumentations ever recorded. Blatting off with Moyet's voice, the synth-trumpet sails you into heaven. Swing your hips and understand that love comes in the form of a CD. This collection is great pop. As I've stated, "Love Resurrection" is the top track here. Followed by "Honey For The Bees" and "Twisting The Knife". Total fun with substance. Think Yaz(oo), with a Swain/Jolley injection.

I've always been a fan of Alison Moyet, how could you not love a voice like that? Yet the 80's Europop sound hasn't aged well, all those keyboards and synthesised drums sound a little tinny today. Alf has more than it's share of those but it also has something that never goes out of style, a tough yet sensuous voice with the power to shake the room and the sensitivity reach out and grab you, sometimes in the same song. Arrangements aside, Alf still has some very strong material. Love Resurrection, All Cried Out and Where Lies Sleep are great tunes but the hit Invisble sums this album up perfectly. The dated arrangement and layers upon layers of keyboards would suffocate a lesser singer but Alison rises above it and delivers some of her most memorable work. Alf literally cries out for an update yet that voice still delivers. While I prefer Yaz's edgy industrial dance\pop or later Moyet collections like Hoodoo and Hometime where the arrangements better complement the singer, I still can't resist this album. And that's a trbute to Alison Moyet's remarkable voice.

"Love Resurrection" has one of the finest instrumentations ever recorded. Blatting off with Moyet's voice, the synth-trumpet sails you into heaven. Swing your hips and understand that love comes in the form of a CD. This collection is great pop. As I've stated, "Love Resurrection" is the top track here. Followed by "Honey For The Bees" and "Twisting The Knife". Total fun with substance. Think Yaz(oo), with a Swain/Jolley injection.

Alison Moyet really hits paydirt here as there are "Hits" written all over this album.

"Love resurrection" is a highly charged song to start the ball rolling.
"Honey for the bees" continues the upbeat tempo and your feet will not stop tapping anymore.
"For you only" slows it down a beat for you to catch your breath.
"Invisible" is such a great 80's song, I have so many memories from this song.
You are by now "All cried out".
But "Money mile" takes you out on the road again.
Just when you thought it was safe to stop tapping your feet, Alison wings it again by "Twisting the knife".
Finally, "Where hides sleep" is so sweet and vengeful you begin to ask for more.

You will never get tired of this album. Yes, this album has so many good songs you will sing them over and over. I have - since the 80's!

Alison's fist solo offering after her departure from Yazoo began a career away from cold synths and dance repitition.

She showed us how warm she really was with the almost revival feel of "Love Resurection" and the sweet "For You Only".

She showed off her powerful soul notes on epics like "All Cried Out" and "Invisible". Got a little bluesy over "Steal Me Blind" and atmospheric on the ethereal "Where Hides Sleep".

Alison is an important artist and in the mid 80s during the promised and disapointing jazz revivals, ALF brought a breath of freshness and vim! She shames Julia Fordham, blows away Tracy Thorn, and rivaled Sade who at the time wore a white backless Billy Holiday ... dress to connect in people's minds that she was trying to be jazz...thankfully this only lasted one album and she became a star on PROMISE...but enough about her.

ALF is a standard now in the Moyet collection and she has just added another gem, her new album: HOMETIME which is almost scarily her best album ever!!

Buy both and love them...thank you.

Alison Moyet is a British vocal phenomenon, like a female Robbie Williams. She has a vocal sexiness that is betrayed by a weight problem, but her songs are well crafted and well sung, and you will not be able to get some of them out of your head. The suggestiveness of several lyrics will surprise some folks, but the four stars are real. Alison more than delivers.

Just to put it out there, but I don't know anyone who would ever confuse Yaz's "Only You" with the Platters "Only You". Why would you even put that in your review? Very strange.....

EXCELENTE VOZ DE ESTA MUJER Y SOBRE TODO QUE HACIA MUY BUENA MANCUERNA CON SU ANTERIOR COMPAÑERO EN EL GRUPO YAZOO, PERO ESTA BUENO EL DISCO.

Alison Moyet singles is an extragavanza journey of 20 solid songs more or less all trough this collection . The highpoints are near in the middle of this CD, but the rest is small goodie goodies too. Track 1 The First time i ever saw your face sets the standard with Allison strong voice to carry it trough. the build up is good, and then you are right into it. Track 2 Only You is even more melodious to listen too, with some essential magic on the synthesizers spreads glory into your soul. Track 3 Nobody`s diary is a minor letdown. Ok but nothing more. Too much plink/plonk on the synth, and to little melody. Track 4 Situation has some of the same problems, but the effective rythm helps quite a lot and lift`s it above average. Track 5 Love resurrection is anyway in the high quality departement, with lesser technical wishy washy, and more effective "melody theft" from the right sources of the roots when it all began. Track 6 All Cried Out, is a "vocal screamer" from the highest rank of quality. High quality workmanship in other words. Track 7 Invisible is my all time Moyet favoruite, because she delivers. She sings here heart out on this one, and when here vocal cord strikes like lightning, it`s just heaven above. Track 8 That ole devil called love is a Billy Holliday gem, but Alison Moyet makes it here own. Puuuuuure jazzy magic. Track 9 Is this Love is also nearly up there, but it`s not extraordinary. Track 10 Weak in the precence of beauty, she`s back in the business again. Melodious and effective. Track 11 Ordinary Girls, is a fastback morè rock and roll, with a quite effective beat.
Track 12 Love Letters is the first ballad, and it`s a minor letdown. A stream of clichees. Track 13 It won`t be long is quite ok. The energy is certainly there, so too speak, but not much more, sorry to say.
Track 14 Wishing you where here, has a light country music feel over it. Ok. Track 15 This House is a quality ballad, which showes here voice quality from deep, deep, down, and up,up, there. Magic. Track 16 is the weird one folk rock inspired song which lifts youre soul. Track 17 Whispering your name is a lightweight popsong which sounds like if Cher, had a better voice. Tremendous. Track 18 Getting into somthing. Yeah, but what? A soft spoken disko hybrid. Average. Track 19 Ode to Boy II is an effective "feet steeper, but to chaotic as a whole. Track 20 Solid Wood is solid enough, but nothing more. Anyway she`s an artist that got IT, and i certainly mean "it".

This is a great collection by one of England's best singers. Alison's reading of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" may presage her beautiful "Voice" CD released in the UK last year. "Only You" and "Love Resurrection" may sounded dated to my teenager, but they both pulse with great energy and sound as great to me as they did when they pumped out on the dancefloor in the 80s. Previously unreleased in the US before this 1995 set, "That Ole Devil Called Love" was a song Billie Holiday nailed. Alison plays with the melody and shows a great affinity for this era of song. "Weak In the Presence of Beauty" is also a classic track with Alison's fully committed vocals and great percussion. Tackling a tune that was a major hit for Elvis Presley and has been recorded by Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Peggy Lee & Dinah Washington and then making it sound fresh is a major feat that Moyet accomplishes on her sterling version of "Love Letters." "This House" is a somber dramatic track that Moyet builds into a tragedy of a broken love affair. "Whispering Your Name" is a delightful synth track from the underrated "Essex" CD. "Singles" is a blockbuster set that love resurrects some excellent performances from one of our best singers. Bravo!

"Love Resurrection" has one of the finest instrumentations ever recorded. Blatting off with Moyet's voice, the synth-trumpet sails you into heaven. Swing your hips and understand that love comes in the form of a CD. This collection is great pop. As I've stated, "Love Resurrection" is the top track here. Followed by "Honey For The Bees" and "Twisting The Knife". Total fun with substance. Think Yaz(oo), with a Swain/Jolley injection.

I've always been a fan of Alison Moyet, how could you not love a voice like that? Yet the 80's Europop sound hasn't aged well, all those keyboards and synthesised drums sound a little tinny today. Alf has more than it's share of those but it also has something that never goes out of style, a tough yet sensuous voice with the power to shake the room and the sensitivity reach out and grab you, sometimes in the same song. Arrangements aside, Alf still has some very strong material. Love Resurrection, All Cried Out and Where Lies Sleep are great tunes but the hit Invisble sums this album up perfectly. The dated arrangement and layers upon layers of keyboards would suffocate a lesser singer but Alison rises above it and delivers some of her most memorable work. Alf literally cries out for an update yet that voice still delivers. While I prefer Yaz's edgy industrial dance\pop or later Moyet collections like Hoodoo and Hometime where the arrangements better complement the singer, I still can't resist this album. And that's a trbute to Alison Moyet's remarkable voice.

"Love Resurrection" has one of the finest instrumentations ever recorded. Blatting off with Moyet's voice, the synth-trumpet sails you into heaven. Swing your hips and understand that love comes in the form of a CD. This collection is great pop. As I've stated, "Love Resurrection" is the top track here. Followed by "Honey For The Bees" and "Twisting The Knife". Total fun with substance. Think Yaz(oo), with a Swain/Jolley injection.

Alison Moyet really hits paydirt here as there are "Hits" written all over this album.

"Love resurrection" is a highly charged song to start the ball rolling.
"Honey for the bees" continues the upbeat tempo and your feet will not stop tapping anymore.
"For you only" slows it down a beat for you to catch your breath.
"Invisible" is such a great 80's song, I have so many memories from this song.
You are by now "All cried out".
But "Money mile" takes you out on the road again.
Just when you thought it was safe to stop tapping your feet, Alison wings it again by "Twisting the knife".
Finally, "Where hides sleep" is so sweet and vengeful you begin to ask for more.

You will never get tired of this album. Yes, this album has so many good songs you will sing them over and over. I have - since the 80's!

Alison's fist solo offering after her departure from Yazoo began a career away from cold synths and dance repitition.

She showed us how warm she really was with the almost revival feel of "Love Resurection" and the sweet "For You Only".

She showed off her powerful soul notes on epics like "All Cried Out" and "Invisible". Got a little bluesy over "Steal Me Blind" and atmospheric on the ethereal "Where Hides Sleep".

Alison is an important artist and in the mid 80s during the promised and disapointing jazz revivals, ALF brought a breath of freshness and vim! She shames Julia Fordham, blows away Tracy Thorn, and rivaled Sade who at the time wore a white backless Billy Holiday ... dress to connect in people's minds that she was trying to be jazz...thankfully this only lasted one album and she became a star on PROMISE...but enough about her.

ALF is a standard now in the Moyet collection and she has just added another gem, her new album: HOMETIME which is almost scarily her best album ever!!

Buy both and love them...thank you.

Before this CD, the only other album of Alison Moyet that I owned was her 1984 debut "Alf" which contained the brilliant ballad "All cried out".

I only came across this CD recently despite it having being released in 2002. Apparently her former label Sony didn't want it released as they feared for its commercial viability, so she released it on her own label.

Produced by The Insects (very cool name :-)) who have worked with Massive Attack, what we get are epic, cinematic ballads, Trip Hop, and even Dub with almost poetic lyrics. Opening cut "Yesterday's flame" is a brooding ballad which sounds like something you've heard before, only it's a new Moyet co-composition. The title track "Hometime" (with double bass, and an instrument labelled "weird bass"), and "Say it" are Trip hop; swirling dramatic strings and electronic flourishes. Both are brilliant.

My favourite song is "Ski" which is electro Dub (if there's any such thing). I just love the deep bassline and beats. "Do you ever wonder" is a beautiful Pop ballad, the most commercial sounding in my opinion.

"If you don't come back to me" is a lush cinematic ballad with echoing effects, while the haunting "You don't have to go" has a quivering riff, and builds to a powerful vocal climax.

So, was Sony right in rejecting the album? Alison Moyet became the 5th best selling female act in the UK in 2002. Sales aside, this album is a real gem.

When I first heard that Alison was working with the Insects Production team, not knowing who they were, I thought it sounded like an interesting match. It doesn't really work here, within the LP you'll find depressing compositions that owe more to lyrical poetry. Moyet's voice is triumphant, but the music writing leaves so much to be desired. Not one track here you can sing-along with or even dance to. I love the Moyet ballads, but the Insects should have understood her fan base to the extreme. This is like a nap to an insomniac. Give us the cloud of down again Alison, we need a full night's dreaming.

Here's my two cents about the mixed reviews of this album: you get what Alison is trying to accomplish, or you don't. True, just about all of her fans fell in love with her voice when she was one-half of Yaz(oo), and then when she became a solo artist. What La Moyet did so well, for so long, is belt it out like no one's business. She delivered the goods, and then some. If you're solely into that Alison, Alf and Singles are your ticket.

What is clearly evident is that Alison had a solid idea for an album, but it didn't fit the mold of what her then-record company wanted her to sound like. Unless you're Madonna, the big record companies want you to more or less sound the same. Moyet is hardly the only artist to hit this roadblock- Toni Braxton is another example.

The stupid thing is that this album is a no-brainer. It's precisely what you want to hear when you're sipping martinis at the bar of a hip restaurant, driving around town in the wee hours of the night, or getting intimate. Sony should have handed out free samplers of this CD like candy at hip bars and java joints everywhere to generate word-of-mouth. But no, Big Brother Media got a tension headache!

Thankfully, Moyet had the COURAGE to believe in her musicianship. While I do like the Alf-era Alison, the belter with the pipes of gold, it gives me goosebumps to witness how she's grown as an artist. The best tracks on Hometime percolate, inviting you to drink the fine brew.

The most emblematic number is More, but there are several jewels in this crown. Yesterday's Flame is an apt opener, but Should I Feel That It's Over grabbed me. I just love the line, "Why wrap it up so precisely?" Her vocal delivery is as divine as ever.

My favorite part of the album are Say It, and Ski. Say It just keeps building, until Alison's singing, "say it, say it, say it" over and over with pure, unadulterated bliss. Ski ups the ante, raising the temperature by several degrees. It's my favorite track, and the most experimental, perhaps.

Do You Ever Wonder? is the most pop-oriented moment on the album, a real winner and a major told-you-so for those naive enough to think she's lost her vocal mojo.

The penultimate track, The Train I Ride, will have you floating on a cloud of effervescent bubbles.

There isn't a single loser among the eleven tracks. I think the title track is the one moment that feels a little forced, but it isn't a bad number.

As a last word, it puzzles me why some reviewers describe Hometime as "dark." Raindancing it's not, but it's no funeral dirge or Jagged Little Pill, either. Hometime is a heady mix of deft lyrics, intelligent vocals, and trip-hop brilliance.

It is with great pleasure that I write this review. As a fan of Ms. Moyet's, it is marvelous to see how far she has matured since her days in Yaz. This is no pop-tart here. This is a woman indeed.

I am very pleased with the evolution of her voice, songwriting and creative style. Bravo Alison. This was well worth the money spent to puchase it.

In these days of junk artist (Britney et al, it is very gratifying to see a female artist bring some much needed depth and skill to the table. Do you self a favor and give this superb album a listen. You will be glad you did.

WITHOUT A DOUBT ALISON MOYET'S BEST, MOST CONSISTANTLY SATISFYING SOLO RECORDING. SOLID ALL THE WAY THROUGH - NOT A CLUNKER IN THE BUNCH. A FINE AND LONG AWAITED RETURN.

As one reviewer said, its almost a greatest hits. It is a greatest hits for those who don't know. It is lacking some of her really moving songs like "Blow, Wind Blow" and "Stay" from Raindancing. To me, Alison has always shined brighter in more ballad-like songs. I have been listening to her ever since I heard "Winter Kills" from Upstairs at Erics, nearly 30 yrs ago and her songs still move me.

This album is a pretty good starting place for people interested in Alison Moyet but don't already have EVERYTHING SHE HAS EVER DONE or for those who NEED her versions of 'Ne Me Quitte Pas' and 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do'.
Almost all of the essential singles are here except 'Hoodoo' from the album of the same name and most of her singles with 'Yaz/Yazoo'. A greatest hits package of Ms. Moyet really can't be comprehensive without 'Situation', and the original version of 'Ode to Boy' or 'Only You' however in terms of singles - this is close. Fans of Alison Moyet know that many of her album tracks are better than the singles and the record companies really should be releasing a greatest hits package with a second 'B-sides' and rarities cd.
Thankfully, the track 'This House' (which still makes me ache) is included as is the track 'Ne Me Quitte Pas', however the add ons 'Blue' and 'Our Colander Eyes' are dated sounding and disappointing. The songs are listed in chronological order but personally, I prefer G/H packages that are more random.
Alison Moyet is a major talent and deserves a bigger audience. My criticisms are more based on being a long time fan so I think I know everything, but pick this up - you won't be disappointed.

Alison Moyet's sultry, sexy voice is showcased in fine form on this 2nd-off "Greatest Hits" compilation. I would compare Moyet's voice to the bluesy lounge singers of the twenties and thirties, with a plaintive edge to it that is particularly heartbreaking on subsequent listenings. Norah Jones has a more contemporary and similar quality--but Moyet has been around since the early eighties, in the synth-pop wunderkind band Yazoo, or Yaz. Her solo career has soared--but primarily overseas. She's met with lukewarm appeal Stateside...nonetheless, I've been a fan since the beginning, and this CD is worth the price and then some.

Alison moyet was famous in the mid 80s thanks to the duo-band Yazoo and her following solo-career.
Have to say this compilation is sooooooo brilliant. Firstly, because of her voice. Although I believe she's an underrated singer, she has one of the most deep and soft voice in the female musical scenario.
Secondly, songs are very nice, a mix of pop style with lovely ballands and smash hits like ALL CRIED OUT, RESURRECTION, ALL IS LOVE and many others.
If you like her voice this is the best CD to buy. It is worth the money.

Ciao,
Enrico

,,,this is bad. I must be missing something. I had read several reviews about Moyet's voice, which is decent enough, but the material is indescribably bad. Imagine songs that make the Thompson Twins sound profound and you will be close. Lame techno, syntho, Euro rock. Mine's going straight to the resale bin.

Alison Moyet is a singer and songwriter of rare talent and has graced several genres in her career to date. Using her voice almost as an instrument, Alison adds real warmth to three Yaz tracks. Velvety smooth on the Vince Clarke-penned pop gem 'Only You' and her own compostion, 'Nobody's Diary'. Zesty and feisty on 'Situation', a song she co-wrote. I can't think of another singer who could humanise eletronic music in quite the same way. Comparing Alison with, say, Annie Lennox is like comparing velvet with glass.

The middle section of the album covers Alison's first two solo albums ('Alf' and 'Raindancing'). Commercially, this was her heyday and, in the UK, she was feted as the best pop singer around and rightly ruled the UK charts. Artistically, her best work was yet to come and the 90's singles really show the woman off. Her refusal to compromise may have slowed her chart performances a bit but the quality is most definitely there. Listen to 'It Won't Be Long', 'Ode To Boy', 'Falling'.... Gritty, powerhouse vocals over genuinely intelligent lyrics. None of your two-bit Morrissette angst here. We're talking color, verve and imagination. The gorgeous ache of her own composition, 'This House'... The real-world romance of 'Wishing You Were Here'.... Then the campy Broadway disco of 'Whispering Your Name'.... The power in her guitar-led version of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' will lift your soul. I'm telling you, this is great stuff!

What ever you do, make sure you get this special edition with the 11-track live CD. Subtitled 'No Overdubs', this bonus collection showcases a REAL singer who can pull an audience along with her no matter what. The sheer beauty of 'Dorothy' and the earthiness of 'Getting Into Something' really deliver the goods. Moyet also takes a smattering of cover versions and makes them utterly her own: the smokey late-night jazz of 'Love Letters'... The down-home blues of 'Chain of Fools'... And listen to how she commandeers 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do', wiping the floor with the 'Grease' original.

The great news is that a new album is scheduled for release in January 2001. Hopefully its success will prompt the re-release of her two finest albums to date, 'Hoodoo' and 'Essex'. This 2CD set should tide you over nicely until then.