Macy Gray

The soundtrack arrived within about a week. (I never opt for faster delivery.) It was exactly what I wanted and, as far as I can tell, plays flawlessly.

This music is so faithfully performed by the very talented ensemble that it brings back the 1920's vividly. Each song reflects a specific style of the music popular at the time. After listening to this CD I had to see the movie (which was also terrific) and then I had to buy the sheet music. Usually I simply enjoy a CD and move on. This one reached me.

The cd is very good. There are only songs, no speaking parts really, even ones that precede certain songs. There are a couple of songs that are not in the movie or that were inspired by the movie. The first time you listen to it if you haven't read the fine print it kind of throws you for a loop. I highly recommend it for all who love the movie!

I truly loved the music with the movie is excellent. I was very impressed of the singing of the movie stars.

Rob Marshall and company got it exactly right in transferring Chicago to the screen. Though I was not a Renee Zellweiger fan, she changed my opinion with her total tartiness here (and she was terrific in Cold Mountain), she dances competently, and sings the role wonderfully. Katherine Zeta Jones was perfect as Velma Kelly. The rest of the cast are marvelous too....Queen Latifah coudn't have been better cast. Though I have never been conviced of Richard Gere's acting ability, he pulls off the role of Billy Flynn admirably, even his singing and dancing work effectively. They brilliantly wrote a screenplay to encompass most of the stage show, where songs were cut, they needed to be. A well deserved Oscar winner for effectively bringing a musical back to the screen!!

I ordered this at the last minute for a Christmas gift and it came in plenty of time and in great shape! thanks so much!

Stevie Nicks singing Silent Night is the best I have every hurd the arrangement was beautiful. Thank you

Although the entire cd is very enjoyable, Bon Jovi does a great interpretation of Elvis with "Blue Christmas". Very enjoyable cd for all.

This, like all of the 'Very Special' Christmas albums, offers a very fun alternative to the typical christmas song. This one definately favors modern rock, so if you're looking for Nat King Cole, break out your 45's and get out of here.

No this isn't the greatest CD ever made, but there are many really excellent tracks performed by some of my favorite artists. If you are a fan of Natalie Merchant than this CD is a must have. That track alone is worth buying the whole disc. The rock version of the Chipmunk Song is also very cool. The rest of the CD is fun and enjoyable. I guess you must be young enough to enjoy the newer artists. I have the classic christmas artists versions as well, so it is nice to mix it up a bit. Put all my Christmas CD's in my 200 disc changer on random!

Even it is a good album with really good soul and funk elements you can get bored very quickly to listen it.

...as always, perfection. I have recently introduced my soon-to-be 70 year old mother to Macy with this album. Needless to say she is now a fan. Just buy this album, you will be glad you did.

If you're like me, you like all different types of music depending on your mood. When you're not sure what you want to hear but you want to get in the groove, this is the CD you want to listen to.

Macy Gray literally hit the charts in 2000 completely out of nowhere. Her unique sound and listenable R&B singles like "I Try" caught the music industry completely out of left field, and Gray herself achieved numerous nominations and awards at many award shows, and deservedly so. Though she isn't the best singer by any means, her style is consistent and deliciously unique. "I Try" is, of course, the standout track on her debut album On How Life Is, and it remains to be her biggest hit. The remaining songs on her record follow suit: from the revenge-driven "I've Committed Murder" to the soul-induced "Do Something," On How Life Is remains a debut album from an individualistic singer-songwriter that is both completely original and completely irresistible.

How long of a career do you think this funk diva will have, eh? I give her at the most, say, five years before she completely shreds her raspy sandpaper-on-broken glass voice. Will I celebrate? YES. Oh, to be rid of this monstrosity of a singer! Anyone who buys ANYTHING by Macy Gray does not deserve eardrums, because this ain't music, it's pure torture. What a waste of Vinyl Chloride!!! Excuse me, I just had to clear my throat. Heh-heh-eh-hack-hack!!

This being my first Macy Gray album, I cannot compare to previous albums. Nonetheless, I am thoroughly pleased with the entire CD! I cannot believe this album didn't blow up. It's excellent. I don't know if it was marketing because seems like I saw Macy on EVERY iPod billboard/commercial/ad during that time.

I am so glad I picked this up. I look forward to hearing more form Macy. I'm waiting to receive her other 3 CDs. Whether they're similar or different at least she has her own sound.

Fave tracks:
* Finally Made Me Happy
* Shoo Be Doo
* One For Me
* Okay
* What I Gotta Do
* Honorable Mention - Strange Behavior (funny and I like it)

Happy listening!

I have to say that one thing that bothers me about the user reviews I'm seeing online is a complete lack of understanding of the history of Macy's music. I read one review where the user complained about The Id and The Trouble with Being Myself as being copies of each other, while inferior to On How Life Is.

There is one string of common truth throughout these reviews in that there are similarities between albums - but those conclusions are based on superficial observations.

If you deconstruct all of the albums, there are several long-running parallels - one of the major reasons that I'm so pleased with all of the albums. This is not a process of carbon copying - this is a process of creating and sustaining artistic motifs that are very unique and creative. These motifs comprise the qualities that distinguish Macy Gray from ALL of her contemporaries.

We have appearances of song types that become her motifs... for example, we have I've Committed Murder, Gimme all Your Lovin or I Will Kill You, My Fondest Childhood Memories, and Strange Behavior appearing on the four albums respectively. People - this is a motif - this is a consistent delivery from Macy to her listeners. This motif of killing folks as extreme acts of love and/or desperation is a comedic element - it's funny. It's not supposed to be taken literally (as was a critique from one reader on Strange Behavior).

We also have other such motifs as I Can't Wait to Meetchu, My Nutmeg Fantasy, Every Now and Then, and Everybody - across the four albums respectively. Listen to the songs... they all appeal to that same universal "I can jam to this" feeling. They generally have upbeat themes that are inspiring and make you feel good when you listen to them. Plus, the lyrics are all positive and about having a good time - and here's an important message from Macy - be yourself

Other motifs include baladesque songs such as Still, Please Don't Come Around, She Ain't Right For You, and Glad You're Here. Not of the exact same message, but invoking sentimental emotions from the listener.

Now - in light of just these brief analogies, I want to emphasize the factors about what has happened to Macy Gray that really makes me sad as a devoted fan. I firmly believe that sales screeched to a halt because The Id was released one week after 9/11. If the first album had 3.5 million sales (no reference, I saw that on the web), and the Id had only .5 million sales, the 9/11 argument seems reasonable. After all, it's not like there weren't any hits off of The Id - it's just that the country was preoccupied. Time passed by, and the The Trouble with Being Myself, which was a perfectly brilliant album, chocked full of new material (very catchy, yet original - no good reason for insufficient marketing, airplay, etc.) was overshadowed by the hiatus between albums, and the declined sales from the The Id.

Flash forward to Big - another awesome album, somewhat subverted with all the collaborations which did nothing to help promote the album (evidently), and again, we have the problem of lousy marketing, NO airplay, no nothing. Why? I honestly don't get it... I can't help but track these recurring, unfounded gripes about The Id and The Trouble With Being Myself - almost as if to say that Big is a day late and a dollar short, albeit Macy's "best work to date."

I would agree that Big has many awesome qualities and is a terrific album, especially if you compare it to other modern releases... but I don't think it's the best work to date, and I think all of her "fans" and collaborating artists have abandoned her. I think it's mostly a lack of effort more than anything - effort to look out for concert dates (and buy tickets to them), effort to peek in for new releases, effort to look for her in the box office (she's a great actor and should be in more movies), and so on. I don't think that some of the Big collaborations necessarily hurt the quality of each song, but I do think that those appearances were made in order for her record label to better market the material, emphasizing will.i.am, Timberlake, Nas, Fergie, etc.... But I have not seen those individuals in the maintstream talking about the album, promoting sales, or even doing inclusive tours - why? I don't know... maybe they don't want to get too original, floating off into music "Oblivion." Maybe those cuts are too far away from cookie cutter... It's just really strange.

So rather than post garbage about comparisons to previous albums (really just showing a lack of artistic/creative understanding), why not make more effort to support an artist who we all love? I saw the Big concert when it toured through Baltimore - it was awesome, as were the Brand New Heavies, the opening act (another underrated talent). My only complaint about the show was that more people should have been there. And they would have been if even one local station played just one of the singles released - Finally Made Me Happy on the airwaves for a couple weeks would have been sufficient to pack the house.

I've never been what you would call a "fan" of Macy Gray, but I absolutely love this album. It's been rotating in my CD player for a while now and I am still lovin' it like the first week I bought it. There are some nice tracks on the album and her unique voice compliments the sound and lyrics quite nicely. If I had to pick a favorite (kind of difficult since there are several that I am fond of) it would be "What I Gotta Do". What a wonderful tribute to her children and to working mothers. Kudos Macy!

Back, with a vengence. Completely caught me off guard, the level of excellence. Welcome back from your snooze Macy. I knew THIS was in there.

I'm new to Macy Gray, and what an introduction this was! I've enjoyed the entire CD, and I absolutely love her voice.

Of all her CD's this is the one that I really like. Her later albums weren't nearly as good in my opinion and certainly didn't get any air play on the radio.

I enjoyed this CD but I expected more. I have her first CD and this one is basicaly a remake of that with maybe 3 new songs that are just Ok. I would really recommend Macy Gray's newest CD "BIG" it is very good. I would rate it a 5. Every song is different and she has some that are my favorites ( Finally Made me Happy, Shoo Be Doo, Strange Behavior, One For Me). You would listen to this CD over and over. She adds humor(as she always does) to some of her songs such as "Strange Behavior". Do check out her "BIG" CD!

Don't you have to have more than one hit song to make a Best of album?

Macy Gray sings so sweet an pure, yet with an edge and engery that speaks of an active, intense passion. She's great to listen to while driving. It then reminds you of when you played it last night.

this would make a terrific torturing device.and if the POW is deaf,just show him/her the cover !!!!!

The movie was sensational, it seems almost impossible to capture all of it in a soundtrack, but they did a wonderful job of it. Every sngle song captured the spirit of the movie, it was almost like going to a broadway musical because of the quality of this music. Catherine Zeta- Jones did a amaizing job of singing the songs "All That Jazz", "Cell Block Tango", "I cant Do it Alone",and so many more. This music is almost magical, I would recammend this soundtrack for anyone!

If you loved the movie Chicago I'll garenty that you'll fall in love with the soundtrack. You can never get to bored of "all that jazz" with Catherine Zelta Jones singing it, you can tell that she's the real star of the soundtrack. Don't be surprised if you run across "The cell block tango remix" and all that junk, it just didn't blend in with all the other songs, I always avoid it.

the movie had great songs and great music and this soundtrack captures all of it.

I'm surprised by the enormous volume of glowing, 5-star reviews here. This soundtrack isn't THAT great. Maybe I'm biased. I was fortunate enough to see "Chicago" on Broadway in early 1997 (the matinee right before the cast walked over to Radio City for the Tonys, of which it won 3 or 4). That was a few months after it opened, with the original revival cast: Bebe Neuwirth as Velma, Ann Reinking as Roxie, James Naughton as Billy, Joel Grey as Amos, Marcia Lewis as Mama Morton, and D. Sabella as Mary Sunshine. Right afterwards I bought the CD and have listened to it many times since. So I can't help but be stuck on it. (I even have the 1975 Broadway recording, which I like though not as much as 1997.)

This soundtrack simply does not feature the vocal chops to be found on the Broadway recordings. The music itself is comparable, but certainly not an improvement. And the rap version of "Cell Block Tango" is a too-obvious attempt to take modern pop "stylings" (if you can call it that) into consideration when they are NOT at all relevant here. (Okay, more bias, since I despise rap.) Plus that last track with Anastacia, or whatever her name is, is awful. She tries so hard to sound like a modern R&B singer, but she can't do it. (And, again, I hate modern R&B, so yet another pre-disposed strike for me).

I liked the movie, but it (and the soundtrack) don't hold a candle to the Broadway "original revival" cast. I highly suggest getting that recording instead. You'll hear Bebe Neuwirth wail even better than Chita Rivera did, and James Naughton blows away Jerry Orbach (and certainly Richard Gere, by FAR).

And the DVD version isn't worth it. It really only has a 10-minute featurette that I'm willing to bet is on the DVD that's about to come out. And I can see that some people here have taken Richard Gere too seriously when he mentioned that Renee Z has a Billie Holiday quality to her voice. I laughed when I heard it then, and I laughed again when I see people repeat it here (as if it's their own words--yet they spell her name Billy). Not that Renee is bad (nor is Catherine ZJ), but by no means is she anywhere near the ballpark Billie Holiday is still in 45 years after her death. (And before anyone else takes Richard Gere too seriously: no, Catherine Zeta-Jones isn't really like Dusty Springfield, either).

Wonderful sound track! Anyone, who enjoyed the movie, will certainly relive the experience listening to the CD. I cannot wait for the DVD to be released in August.

I was late to purchase this CD. I started my Macy collection with Big (5 stars) and decided to keep it going. I'm glad I did. I really like this CD. I didn't care for Macy's voice when she first came out with I Try, but another reveiwer mentioned that after a while it can grow on you. And it did just that. Macy is soulful and I love her style and raspy delivery. Also her lyrics are entertaining, different, funny at times.

Fave tracks:
* Gimme All Your Lovin or I Will Kill You
* Don't Come Around
* Relating to a Psychopath
* Harry
* Shed (Hidden track)

I think this CD is definitely worth picking up, especially at the price. I am thoroughly pleased! Go Macy~!

Happy listening!

I hear George Clinton's Parliament and Prince, maybe even a touch of the Beatles here - but most of all I hear Macy Gray. Respect Sister!!! You're real. Funky, Jazzy, Souly, Bluesy - and cheesy (but the best cheese).

Well... at least the album has a fitting title.

In the liner notes, 'the id' is defined as the actions one does before thinking. That perfectly describes this album. It sounds jumbled and very spur of the moment. She made this album before thinking about how bad it was and how it would ruin the reputation she established with her debut. Almost every song is a half-baked idea that wears out its welcome at the 2 minute mark. They are funky, I'll give them that, but otherwise this is not worth the buy. I would suggest her debut or her third album. Both are much better.

This CD is genious. It was so underated and unexcepted because pop radio refused to play it. Everyone thought Macy was a pop princess after the success of her first CD and single that won grammys. But this woman is one of the most creative artists of our time. On this release she is crazy all over the board. It's funny, it's fun, it's catchy and everyone has thought the things she's stood up to sing about even if they don't want to admit it. When you listen to this CD, come at it with an angle of fun! Music is here to inspire and play with. Enjoy it, like Macy does!

When I first heard Macy Gray's voice, I feared that the mass public would jump on her bandwagon because of her unique vocal styling then dump her by her second disc. I truly enjoyed her debut disc for the more soulful vibe but this one definitely had to grow on me because it exposed a lot more of her vocal weaknesses than her debut did. But what she lacks in vocal prowess was more than made up for in the funky production of the overall disc.

My favorite tracks are: SWEET BABY, DON'T COME AROUND, FORGIVENESS, SEXUAL REVOLUTION & RELATING TO A PSYCHOPATH.

Two other songs that I enjoyed are: HEY YOUNG WORLD PT II & HARRY (love the organs & overall music production).

I like the comparison between Macy & Billie Holliday because both have very unique singing voices which may take the uninitiated a little time to truly appreciate but once you give yourself a chance & time to listen, I think you'll like more than you dislike.

The soundtrack arrived within about a week. (I never opt for faster delivery.) It was exactly what I wanted and, as far as I can tell, plays flawlessly.

This music is so faithfully performed by the very talented ensemble that it brings back the 1920's vividly. Each song reflects a specific style of the music popular at the time. After listening to this CD I had to see the movie (which was also terrific) and then I had to buy the sheet music. Usually I simply enjoy a CD and move on. This one reached me.

The cd is very good. There are only songs, no speaking parts really, even ones that precede certain songs. There are a couple of songs that are not in the movie or that were inspired by the movie. The first time you listen to it if you haven't read the fine print it kind of throws you for a loop. I highly recommend it for all who love the movie!

I truly loved the music with the movie is excellent. I was very impressed of the singing of the movie stars.

Rob Marshall and company got it exactly right in transferring Chicago to the screen. Though I was not a Renee Zellweiger fan, she changed my opinion with her total tartiness here (and she was terrific in Cold Mountain), she dances competently, and sings the role wonderfully. Katherine Zeta Jones was perfect as Velma Kelly. The rest of the cast are marvelous too....Queen Latifah coudn't have been better cast. Though I have never been conviced of Richard Gere's acting ability, he pulls off the role of Billy Flynn admirably, even his singing and dancing work effectively. They brilliantly wrote a screenplay to encompass most of the stage show, where songs were cut, they needed to be. A well deserved Oscar winner for effectively bringing a musical back to the screen!!

Not to say that Macy Grey cannot produce a great ballad but this triple threat singer,songwriter and producer just seems so much more at home throwing down her gritty,quirky singing to incredibly funky songs such as the brightly catchy "When I See You","Come Together" and the speedy,horn fueled jazz funk extravaganza of the closing "Every Now And Then".She also gets a little reflective on the midtempo funky soul groove "She Don't Write Songs About You".Unfortunately this albums loses a lot of steam especially in the case of "It Ain't The Money" which Macy totally spoils in an effort to "reach the youth market of 2003" by adding a clever but contrived rap by Pharoahe Monch;Macy Gray has more then enough ability to stand on her own without the presense of rappers and this is made no more clear then on her lastest (and somewhat superior) album Big.The rest of the album is good but points out Macy's other slight flaw of trying to be too musically diverse and eclectic.Considering her freakish persona,borrowing heavily from her 70's counterpart Betty Davis Macy sounds very good on the ska inflected "My Fondest Childhood Memories" and the too beat heavy string ballad "Jesus For A Day" but are just too bogged down by her ambition rather then having it be a help to her sound.Sadly the rest of the remaining songs on this album (again) focus on hip-hop beats "for the kids" (to quoate Miles Davis referring to his very Macy Gray-sounding classic On the Corner) and soul balladeering trying hard to replicate the sound of her breakthrough hit "I Try" from five years earlier.So four classics out of twelve isn't bad and nothing on this album is truely awful.But fans totally intolerant of contempory-hip hop-disguised-as-retro R&B might want to steer clearly.Otherwise a potent musical experience awaits you.

The Trouble With Being Myself is definitely Macy Gray's best work to date. This is seriously one of my favorite albums. It is excellent. Songs like "Screamin'," "Speechless" and "My Fondest Childhood Memories" are superb, as is the rest of the album. The lyircs on here are such an improvement from her past works, too. Yeah, some of them are still very strange and freaky, but a lot of them are deep and relateable. I highly recommend buying this album. It's really a shame because this was her least successful release, but it it her best.

Macy Gray sadly would suffer a slight decline in her popularity, a common problem with some whose debut to critic's can never be bested in their eyes. Macy continued to release new music in her own distinct vein with 2001' "The Id" & this, 2003's "The Trouble With Being Myself". Though the critics finally "got" this record, beyond her fans, Top 40 radio had moved on from the neo-soul movement, & one of the most promising soul singers fell into obscurity sales wise.

I myself was one of the few who purchased this great album back in 2003, & continues to spin it today. This album to me is what we need more of in RnB: original, yet accesible beats & melodies, a voice that no one can forget, & thought-provoking lyrics. This record gives that & more.

"When I See You" opens the album with a fresh slice of funk, finding Macy still knows how to party & make that feel good music. Another highlight is "Jesus For A Day" which I really can't put into words, but can only say 'wow'. I also enjoyed "Things That Made Me Change" & "Speechless" which found Macy dealing with many introspective issues as with on her debut, but with the idiosyncratic nature of her sophmore follow-up.

I like how Macy adrresses the idea of love as something tangible, but that once you have it, you have to be able to hold onto it without losing what you "grabbed" it for in the beginning. She seems to channel the up's & down's of romance well through song.

I recommend this to any Macy Gray fan who never got a chance to listen to this underrated album, which combines what made both of her previous efforts great.

"the trouble with being myself is that I'm too embarassed to admit that I swallowed a frog and my record execs are pimpin' me to put out mess despite my suffering vocal skills"-Macy Gray

Macy is in a class of her own. This cd is almost perfect. I love her unique voice. She is funky and soulful. Nobody matches the soulfulness of her voice. The songs are unique, strange, and wonderful. She is so quirky and real.