John Legend

John Legend has amazed me once again with his musicality. From his first cd "Get Lifted" to this one, you can see a maturity in his music. It is a unique style that sets him apart from most R&B and Hip Hop Singers. He is a very great composer and writer and I am definitely excited to see what he comes up with next!

i like every track on this cd, he has a really good sound and his lyrics are great too.

god i love this cd. i listen to it on weekend mornings, weekday evenings hanging in my room, i bring it to work, i love when i hear john legend at one of my usual sushi restaurants. one of my fave CDs of all time !

John Legend is without doubt talented; extremely talented at that. That fact is probably why it hurts me to say that `Once Again' just isn't as extraordinary as he is. While `Get Lifted' made him a household name (and rightfully so) I felt that the album fell short of the potential I saw in him, and I was really hoping that `Once Again' was going to perfect what he had started and deliver a truly flawless album. While Legend has matured in his lyrical delivery (one problem I had with `Get Lifted' was that it painted Legend in a very immature light) he has yet to really grasp the extent of his talent.

The album opens very strong with `Save Room'; a simple yet commanding track that has a very dated sound; a sound that Legend exemplifies. I love this side of Legend and I wish that he would have tampered with it a little more on the balance of the album. He tackles this sound yet again, to even greater success with `Where Did My Baby Go', which pits Legend against the beautiful ivory keys and he manages to blow me away here. This is what I want to see him embrace, for this side of him is flawless. Instead Legend likes to play with the up-tempo numbers like `P.D.A.', and while he does turn out a good upbeat track here and there, they never really seem to pop like they should. I am not entirely impressed with `P.D.A.' as a song. It just doesn't have anything special. I feel no connection to the song and it comes off almost pointless.

`Heaven' is a much better example of what Legend should bring to a pop track. This song is superbly done, rich with catchy beats and smooth vocals that elevate the song to excellence. After listening to `Heaven' you realize that songs like `P.D.A.' are just so far below what Legend is capable of. Even stronger still is `Stereo', one of my favorite tracks on the album. This track finds Legend vocalizing over an almost hip-hop beat, keeping up flawlessly and delivering cool and confident line after line. The track is sickly smooth and flawlessly constructed.

`Each Day Gets Better' is a nice track, smooth and enjoyable, but it doesn't have the same tone and mood as `Where Did My Baby Go'. `Slow Dance' is one of the better tracks here, funky and smooth. John Legend really focuses his energies in the right direction here and pulls out an extremely effective Motown track that is a brilliant throwback to the music of yesteryear. Again, when listening to this you understand that Legend is so much better than some of the tracks here. `Maxine' plays out beautifully as well, such a nice change of pace. It almost reminds me of classic Eric Clapton for some reason, very entrancing. `Once Again' ends about as strongly as it opens, with the beautiful `Coming Home' which shows a step in the right direction for Legend, a very smart and mature song that speaks volumes for the growth he's gone through as an artist.

I don't understand the use for a track like `Maxine's Interlude', for it brings nothing to the album; just merely takes up space. Then we have the two `Again's'. First up is `Again', which starts off beautifully and shows major potential, and then it falls apart. The chorus has Legend reaching a very uncomfortable note with the word "again" and it just leaves me a little cold. `Another Again' is a much better track, John's vocals much more confident and secure, and the upbeat rhythm adds to the beauty of the track.

One of the tracks highlights is found in the track `Show Me', a very different vibe for Legend that has him sounding like a folk singer with Clapton / Hendrix style guitar work backing up his subdued vocals. The uniqueness of this track, especially when considering Legend's remaining tracks, helps the listener to understand all that this man is capable of. Like I've said, he is amazingly talented; I just wish that he really gave that talent full reign.

In the end I can recommend this album for it is a very good album. It's just not great, and I really know that Legend can deliver `great'. He has it in him, he has proven that time and time again with tracks not only here but also on his debut. It's sad that a slew of his material sounds beneath him. He is better than the sum of his parts. Maybe his third offering will be his masterpiece (they say three times is a charm) and I will wait patiently for that. John Legend has the makings of a legend; that is for sure. His voice is gold, his style is impeccable and his musical talent is undeniable. Once he gets a firm grip on his capabilities I expect him to floor us.

CD quality was great, but the case was a little flimsy and not well made, this will be one of those cases that breaks after you've only had it for five minutes.

Ordinary People and Used To Love U are very good, old-fashioned soul songs with a modern twist. Unfortunately there's not much else here that maintain that high quality except for the sublime interlude Let's Get Lifted Again. Now here John Legend & Co. are really onto something special.

Perhaps it's just the hype that has surrounded Mr. Legend for the last few years or so, but after listening to "Get Lifted" I wonder what the fuss is about. Sure he has soft vocals and appears talented on the piano, but I think every 'fan' has heard better.

He is no "Luther (Vandross)." Not that he should or wants to be compared to that great voice, but those songs stand the test of time and are iconic in this genre of music. Legend is entertaining and light, but not groundbreaking. Perhaps we have gotten so used to hip-hop tainted songs about violence or even the sappy, doo-wop love songs from R&B boy bands that populated 1990s airwaves, making John Legend somewhat of a breath of fresh air. Maybe so, but I expected more.

That is not to say that he is not talented. His live performance DVD is spectacular, and some of the tracks from his follow up cd are amazing, particularly "Show Me," which is haunting and beautiful with some of the most thoughtful yet simple lyrics that truly great songs are made.

A few elements of "Get Lifted" are cute. The voicemail message from his parents is a nice touch, although it is juxtaposed against the explicit lyrics of one of the tracks that indicates even this fresh new voice can't seem to stay away from testosterone laiden rap lyrics about sex.

The cd is worth having since there are so few original male vocal R&B artists making thoughtful, relaxing and contemporary music. I recommend buying the DVD instead.

Seriously, it's one of the best debut albums I've ever heard. Almost all the songs are standouts. Definitely worth the cash spent.

John Legend is amazing. The soul, the swagger, the sexy!! I can hear this cd all day, everyday!!

This is a great album - John Legend is tremendously talented and its well displayed through out the entire album. The beat is hot, the lyrics are touching, funny and true to life - it is one album that remains in the 12 disk changer as others are swapped.

The best music i heard for a long time.i had sacd version.very very good.

Don't buy this dics. Its expensive and you may not be able to download it to your ipod. Check the warning in small print first.
Even if the music is great. What good is a CD you can't play on your ipod.

Jon Legend delivers on his name. He has a voice similar to Stevie Wonder's but still has his own unique style. He has a very complex vocal range and is fun to listen to. With hip hop beats mixed with his unique singing style, you will be both singing and dancing to Jon Legend the all the way through. This album is definately worth buying.

This album is almost there - with some ingenuity provided by Kanye and some great vocals from John, it has it's shining moments. The album seems to lose steam in the middle. I would recommend the DVD/CD version for just a few dollars more - it's cool, providing some live concert video footage and interviews. It's worth the purchase just to learn more about this prodigy talent. John Legend has the chops and the skills, I think that a little more refining and working with some producers that can help him fine-tune some lyrics and instrumentation could make his next album a 5 star. Glad he's around and looking forward to his next record, just wish he'd ask his "musical guests" to keep the lyrics clean.

It may be a little late to be just listening to John Legend's album Get Lifted, but like they say, better late than never. And when you hear people that don't even like listening to R&B say that they like this album, that tells you something. It's damn good.

There are plenty of standouts on here, like "Used to Love U" and both versions of the title track. And "It Don't Have to Change" is a nice gospel-flavored track that has him and the Stephens Family reminiscing on how it used to be in the neighborhood. The funky "Stay With You" is also a highlight.

John also does well when he lets the music dominate. We all know how great "Ordinary People" is, but another standout is when Miri Ben-Ari lends her strings to "Live It Up". And "So High" is aptly titled because I didn't expect John to be able to do falsetto very well, but he proved me wrong.

Sometimes things can get a little corny, though. "Alright" has him steppin' up to the man that he stole his current girl from, and it really makes him seem like a poser. And as much as everyone likes "Number One", I think it's pretty okay, and it starts out with, "Now you can't say I don't love you/Just because I cheat on you." Huh? Kanye's verse doesn't help matters either. Finally, "I Can Change" sounds exactly like "Used to Love U".

Still, there are enough good songs on here to make up for those small missteps. So hurry up and check this album out if you haven't already, because Get Lifted will help you do just that.

Anthony Rupert

This cd has real good music, and I would recommend it, but if you plan on ripping it to iTunes or any other media server, think again - you can't! It's 2005 peeps we don't like carrying around frisbees anymore so nice your protection on the "copyright infridgement". Don't support the companies that choose to put out products with this!

Ordinary People and Used To Love U are very good, old-fashioned soul songs with a modern twist. Unfortunately there's not much else here that maintain that high quality except for the sublime interlude Let's Get Lifted Again. Now here John Legend & Co. are really onto something special.

Perhaps it's just the hype that has surrounded Mr. Legend for the last few years or so, but after listening to "Get Lifted" I wonder what the fuss is about. Sure he has soft vocals and appears talented on the piano, but I think every 'fan' has heard better.

He is no "Luther (Vandross)." Not that he should or wants to be compared to that great voice, but those songs stand the test of time and are iconic in this genre of music. Legend is entertaining and light, but not groundbreaking. Perhaps we have gotten so used to hip-hop tainted songs about violence or even the sappy, doo-wop love songs from R&B boy bands that populated 1990s airwaves, making John Legend somewhat of a breath of fresh air. Maybe so, but I expected more.

That is not to say that he is not talented. His live performance DVD is spectacular, and some of the tracks from his follow up cd are amazing, particularly "Show Me," which is haunting and beautiful with some of the most thoughtful yet simple lyrics that truly great songs are made.

A few elements of "Get Lifted" are cute. The voicemail message from his parents is a nice touch, although it is juxtaposed against the explicit lyrics of one of the tracks that indicates even this fresh new voice can't seem to stay away from testosterone laiden rap lyrics about sex.

The cd is worth having since there are so few original male vocal R&B artists making thoughtful, relaxing and contemporary music. I recommend buying the DVD instead.

Seriously, it's one of the best debut albums I've ever heard. Almost all the songs are standouts. Definitely worth the cash spent.

John Legend is amazing. The soul, the swagger, the sexy!! I can hear this cd all day, everyday!!

This is a great album - John Legend is tremendously talented and its well displayed through out the entire album. The beat is hot, the lyrics are touching, funny and true to life - it is one album that remains in the 12 disk changer as others are swapped.

i love John Legend. he has a very beautiful voice and when he sings, its like not having a worry in the world because there is nothing but beauty surrounding you. His voice is like getting a hug from a person you haven't seen in a lifetime and you can't let go. His music is inspiring, and sensual, with a kick to it that is of old R&B with a little new R&B.
He is wonderful, he is remarkable, he is John Legend and there is no other. I love you John Legend!... Keep fillin my heart up with your soul.

I love this song! I've never really listened to John Legend before this but his soulful voice really captures you! It's such a soothing song that so naughty at the same time. lol. The first time I heard this song they were playing it on the Eric & Kathy show on Chicago's WTMX 101.9 The Mix for their Two Strangers and a Wedding Social Experiment. They played it during the wedding reception and he is just as good live as he is on this CD....if not better! That's a hard quality to find in artists now-a-days. Long story short (too late) BUY P.D.A.!!!!!

I went to school with him and other than being extremley talented he's a sweetie too. He's always been a great singer, it's so so wonderful that he's made it, this is wonderful for him. I am truly so happy for him and all that he's done for him self!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless =0)

Totally love this album. I must confess it was very VERY pleasent surprise when I receive this item and had the DVD with the concert. There is only one thing: I live in Europe and don't think I will be able to see the DVD.... but I also haven't tried. If I'll be able, I hope to have such good result from it as from the CD.

But I must say: the CD is NOT live (as I thought it would be when I purchase it). Nevertheless..... is FABULASTIC!!