First Listen – Raúl Midón takes us for a smooth ride on “You & I”

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    (March 23, 2017) Not to be confused with Stevie Wonder’s earnestly sung classic, Raúl Midón’s “You & I” is a light, soul pop confection with an easy manner and a couple of surprising flourishes. As is usual with the blind singer-songwriter with the golden pipes and sensitive touch, Midón’s latest single from his ninth album, Bad Ass and Blind, is understated and reserved, but still sticks close to the ribs.

    (March 23, 2017) Not to be confused with Stevie Wonder’s earnestly sung classic, Raúl Midón’s “You & I” is a light, soul pop confection with an easy manner and a couple of surprising flourishes. As is usual with the blind singer-songwriter with the golden pipes and sensitive touch, Midón’s latest single from his ninth album, Bad Ass and Blind, is understated and reserved, but still sticks close to the ribs.

    The tune sneaks up on you as a repeat-worthy cut, courtesy of some heavenly harmonies on each of the hooks following some fairly straight-ahead verses. The bridge too offers a swaying transition into a gentle, hat-in-hand doo-wop before returning to the vamp out in one of today’s increasingly rare, traditionally structured pop song. The simple melody and quiet way Midon has of professing his love and commitment is hummable and sung in a range most unsolicited co-leads will have little problem mastering as they croon along in their cars. On an album that travels across the tracks of jazz, pop, light rock, and soul, the whole effect of this little single is one sublimely sweet engine that could. Come aboard.

    By L. Michael Gipson

    Raul Midon - "You and I"