- News & Reviews FeedMarian Marie - Simply Me (2007)
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Marian Marie is an unabashed adult soul singer. Oh, there are songs on Marie's debut record, Simply Me, that might have some appeal to the younger set - namely the up-tempo "Wait on Me." But this is the type of album that will get played on repeat when the girlfriends get together to talk. And men, we know what they will be talking about. At some point during the conversation, the women will talk about relationships.
Marie uses Simply Me to literally place her listeners in the room when the girlfriends caucus. Marie includes three short vignettes where a group of women discuss the pitfalls of the dating process, what crisis reveals about a man's character and the importance of being committed to a relationship. Each vignette serves as a theme that either brings a deeper understanding to the songs that precede it or introduce the two or three songs that follow.
It's an interesting concept. It works in part because the songs support the statements made by the women who speak in the vignettes. Take the first theme, "Let's Talk About Dating." The women talk about how people are on their best behavior when they are dating. However, they also noticed that guys become their real selves when the courtship ends. "Let's Talk About Love" and "Supernatural Love," the two songs that precede the vignette, are all about the potential. In the soulful "Let's Talk About Love," Marie sings about the hope and expectations that couples have when a relationship begins. "Supernatural Love," which is another mid-tempo groove, is where Marie expresses the emotions people feel when love is new and your partner is pushing all the right buttons.
The two songs that follow the vignette - "I'm So Hurt" and "Never Should Have Let Me Go" - explore the other side of relationships. In "I'm So Hurt," Marie sings about trying to deal with the painful realization that her lover simply isn't into her. "I'm so hurt/I'm so sad/Still I try not to be mad/I'm so blue this can't be true/Still I try to get over you."
From an artistic standpoint, it helps that Marie has a fully mature voice and can handle slow, mid-tempo and fast songs with ease. She can be mournful and almost needy on "I'm So Hurt," and then flip it 180 degree and be sassy and assertive on "Wait On Me."
Of course, the youngsters talk about love and relationships too. However, the discussions that the younger sisters have are different. The youngsters sometimes dwell on superficial things such as looks and money. They also get mired in the drama. Women, who know from hard experience what money can and cannot buy, tend to focus on substantive things such as honesty, commitment and communication. Young people tend to get mired in drama. Simply Me is vocal confirmation that time brings wisdom, and that adults strive to struggle through the drama and conflict to find solution and affirmation in love from a higher source.
By Howard Dukes
Comments
Marian Marie "Simply Me"
SoulSistah in Hawaii - April 28th, 2008
First, this sistah can blow!
Secondly, thank God we still have a singer who appreciates great lyrics about self empowerment without stomping on a brotha's ego. I'm so tired of hearing all that whining about how "he didn't spend enough money on me". Go get a job!
Thirdly, if you don't already have it, go buy this album. Once you get it in your CD player you will find it SIMPLY hard to turn it off! I start my day and end my nights with prayer to God, SIMPLY ME and finding new reasons to love life.
Bless you my sister, Marian Marie,
A huge fan in Hawaii
Marian Marie
zappnap - May 2nd, 2008
Excellent! Simply Excellent! I love the CD. I liked the words, musical arrangements and mostly her voice.
She sings with such a soulful tonation that it intoxicates me and sucks me in.
Go get it. You will be pleasantly suprised at the number of times you listen to it over and over and over again.
Zappnap
Simply Me CD
oreatha - April 28th, 2008
I love "Supernatural Love", but most of all I do very much love the sincerity of MarianMarie's voice and her delivery of each of the cuts on the CD. I especially like "What Is Going On?". I am an activist and the social implications of this song is incredeible. Everything that is going on today in our world--environment, war, violence, poor education, foreclosures,etc are reflected in "What is going on?" The entire CD is really good!
Red
Simply Me - Marian Marie
mellie - April 28th, 2008
There is a depth of spirituality as well as soul -- sense and sensibility in the thoughtful lyrics of a sister who knows her own sounds and is in touch with the world around her. Marian Marie's "Simply Me" is intelligent music for the thoughtful, meditative music for the reflective, and inspiring music for the heart. There is something to reach the world as well as the individual. Listen to it, think about it, embrace it-- most of all enjoy the mellow sounds of this soulful sister!
Giving Props When Due
DJ EWalt - April 28th, 2008
This CD was well put together. She broke down the male behavior in her CD but didn't male bash. What added a special touch was my favorite cut "Song to my Brotha" where she gives thanks to the men who are being men. Very mature vocalist and she was very clever with the cut "Wait on Me". I enjoyed listening to the CD from begining to end and I'm looking forward to hearing more from Marian Marie.
Sho Ya Right!
Marian Marie
rashaad - April 29th, 2008
I heard and seen this talented young lady sing live. She sung a song in honor of the great men in her life (Song To My Brothas)....her father, grandfather and uncles, men who have been Fathers Forever. It brought tears to my eyes. I immediately went out and purchased her CD....awesome! It will blow you away! Marian is sultry, classy, elegant and one dynamic entertainer who brings a presence with social lyrics addressing the state of the world today. Look out world.......Marian Marie is here to stay! Can't wait for her next CD!!
Marian Marie "Simply Me"
nikol1275 - April 29th, 2008
"Simply Me" is an album that I play from beginning to end and over and over again! Marian Marie's voice..let's just say she can SANG!! Her soulful voice draws you in from the START. You can feel the emotion in her voice on each and every cut. "I'm So Hurt" and "You Never Should've Let Me Go"...my favorite songs!
Hooked on this CD from the first time I heard it
sxemba - April 30th, 2008
I've been following the career of this talented sistah for years and anxiously awaiting this CD. Folks if you don't have it, you don't know what you're missing. It's wonderful to hear true singers without all the added studio "glitz and glam"... just true passion coming straight from the heart. This is the kind of singing that sounds exactly the same when you hear it live. I've seen her live, and this gurl can SANG!!
Ms. Marie has managed to communicate that passion through this CD which is simple and honest, yet it still allows you to glance into her heart as she sings and discusses relationships, men, and the whole "dating thang" with the ladies. But she doesn't forget the brothas. "Song For My Brothas" can be compared to Angie Stone's anthem celebrating Black men.
This is definitely one to watch out for!!
Signed,
"It's Ladies' Night and the Feelin's Right!"
Marian Marie rocks!
harlemjack - April 30th, 2008
Props to SoulTracks for writing such a supportive review of Simply Me. Marian Marie has put her heart and soul into the project and you can feel it in every song. Real, deep, true, and with a voice that flows through every song, THIS is a true album. Great music from start to finish.
Siimply Me CD
bjwalker - May 2nd, 2008
My husband and I both enjoy the versatility of this CD. As active seniors we have fun dancing and grooving to every song. This is truly a hit and should be placed on top of the charts there is something for everyone to enjoy. Congrats to you Marian for such a masterful piece of art.
Marian Marie
mriggins - May 3rd, 2008
It is so refreshing to hear a new amazing voice who can give me "chill bumps"like artists use to do back in "the day".The way Marian Marie sings the words in the songs lets me know she knows and has lived Life.It feels like her soul is talking straight to my soul like we are two good friends.Thank you so much FRIEND!Welcome to my world!!!!
Marian Marie
MeNFriends1 - May 2nd, 2008
The new CD by Marian Marie is superb. I do have several favorites even though I love the entire album. "What do you do" is a standout on the album for me. "What is going on" says a lot about things people need to hear. And "Supernatural Love" is definitely going to be a hit. "Bad Situation" is a funky dance tune that jams. This is an album that was put together with a lot of love and experience. It's just the kind of music that both young and old will enjoy. Good job Marian Marie. I am one of your biggest fans. I'll be waiting for your next CD.
MeNFriends1
Marian Marie Sings
AnnieLJ - May 2nd, 2008
Marian Marie, thank you very much for beautiful music that soothes the soul and really reaches out and touches a lot of us. The dialogue on the album is what's happening on a daily basis and really makes the album so real for many. I love all of the songs. I don't know if I have picked my favorites yet because they are all so good. All of the versions of "What is going on" are great and I really love the jazz version. Keep up the good work and God Bless. Thank You
Annie
Marian Marie
MoMoE - May 2nd, 2008
After listening to this CD I am so pleased to see that a young artist is creating some great listening and dancing music. Marian Marie is talented and gifted that's for sure. Her lyrics get right to the core of the feelings of so many of us. It is music that is soothing, and exciting at the same time. I love the jazz version of "What is going on". A great sounding alto sax that really speaks what Marian Marie says in her lyrics. I hope this album reaches the top because it is coming from a great new artist that I feel everyone will love and appreciate. Keep writing and singing Ms Marie.
MoMoE
Marian Marie - Old School, Meaning & Feeling
Pney - May 3rd, 2008
Marian Marie's new CD, Simply Me hits the charts with Old School Music ballet style but with an updated hip-hop flavor. Her songs have a lot of meaning and feeling most of us can relate to. I look forward to the next CD.
Martha
Marian Marie
petrakat - May 4th, 2008
Thank You Marian Marie for making a CD I can listen to over and over. Her soulful voice is so soothing. Once you put in the CD you just want to let it play. She talks honestly about relationships, but she doesn’t tear men down. I appreciate Marian Marie writing songs like “Wait on Me” to let women know its ok to say wait, and “song For My Brothas” to let men know that they are appreciated. Buy this CD I know you will enjoy it.
I Love the entire CD
cevans4 - May 5th, 2008
This is one of those discs you can listen to and enjoy every song. I really enjoy good soul music and this lady has what it takes. In this day and age of over-produced same old thing R&B it is refreshing to hear something rooted in history yet freshly current.
Well Done! Well Done indeed!
Marian Marie.... Simply Me
Fredawn - May 7th, 2008
What a GREAT CD.... not only do you hear the lyrics but you FEEL them deep down in your soul. Being a man, I am thankful that our ladies can say and think...why not be "Simply Me". Tell all the brothers to go out and buy this CD- just maybe after listening - they will want to say "Let's Talk About Love" and not have to hear..." You Never Should've Let Me Go"... Marian Marie-You Are What's Going On!!!!!!
I love the new CD by Marian
Growing Up Foxy - May 8th, 2008
I love the new CD by Marian Marie - "Simply Me". It's starts out so powerfully when she says "Lets talk about love"! I also enjoy the "chatting" that takes place between the 'sistahs'. My favorite cut on the CD is the final song "What is Going On"? The question is so appropo to what is happening all over our nation- even in the Democratic Primary.
Marian, your CD is so timely and right on target! GREAT JOB!
Simply me is simply us!
kwilliams0915 - May 8th, 2008
After listening to the CD the first time, I have fell in love with it. The lyrics speak to the heart and soul of the listener. The music is fresh and original and makes traffic on the freeway more managable while grooving to her soulful sound.
The open dialog between songs reminds me of hearing my female friends speak openly about relationships. Maybe single brothers should listen to it with an open mind to hear what the sistas are talking about. Right or wrong, just listen to gain insight.
Ms. Marian Marie, we look forward to hearing more and more from you. My wife and I can't wait to hear you on the radio on a regular basis.
Marian Marie & Simply Me
epowerwoman - May 9th, 2008
epowerwoman
The talented Marian Marie has taken music to a new level of interaction and experience. I move from experiencing myself through the vocals to joining in with the groove and adding my own comments to the conversations. I am moved as well as challenged. My favorites are "Let's talk about Love" "Supernatual Love" "Songs for My Brothas" "What do you do?" I want to keep going. Let's just sum it up and say that this CD is my favorite and my favorite song depends on what mood I'm in at the moment and "What's Going on" at the time. I love this CD. I truly appreciate her special tribute to our "Brothas" and plan to make it a special birthday and father's day gift for the "Brothas" in my life. By the way, Howard Dukes, I think your review is "Right On!" Thanks for your perspective.
"Simply Me"......Pure
fchowdhury - May 11th, 2008
Simply Me, is an album full of touching into life experiences, understanding the differences between a man and a woman. Understanding how we as couples can bring love, enjoyment, happiness, honesty and resolve to any relationship thru communication.
An album full of soul!
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