Frenchy’s Reloads: John Legend - “Get Lifted”
General Description
Artist/Band: John Legend
Album Title: Lifted
Year: 2004
Church and Nastiness in one?
How I Got Into This Music
TV discovery, nice and simple. First song wasn’t impressive for a coupla reasons: this sounded waaaay to much like Stevie Wonder, and secondly: Kanye West was in the video.. Now I’m starting to slowly change my mind about Mr. West, but it’s gonna take me some time.
Anyways, after the second track, “Ordinary People” I had to check this album out..
Tracks that got my attention:
Used to Love U
Enjoyable lyrics, but like I said, leave Stevie the frag alone, please..
She Don’t Have to Know
Sweetness, this groove gets every couple in the right mood.. Just as long as they don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics.
Number One
Let’s go back to Motown! And since there’s a whole generation that don’t necessarily know that music, it’ll work just fine. Still staying away from commenting on West, though..
I Can Change
Excellent gospel and soul mix, funny how Snoop’s rap still works fine
Ordinary People
This track shows the strength of this artist, remember: ballads are made by the thousands, but only a few can stand the test of time - this one does that easily. Saw his life performance of this track with India Arie - scary stuff - incredible song!
Let’s Get Lifted Again
Haunting and moody track, can’t say it’s beautiful - just an impressive piece of work
It Don’t Have to Change
Good gospel - can’t criticise good gospel without me mom beating my butt to another dimension - so, uhm.. great track!
Conclusion
Skipped a lot of songs during this review, but you should listen to the album as a whole. I do have many a problem with the tributes to real Legends like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye, but hey.. I’m just an old fart, nagging about music that was made before I got out of my diapers, so sue me..
Maybe this’ll get people interested in those who came before mister Legend and paved the way to his relative succes, who knows? Who cares?
“Get Lifted” is a good enough record and John Legend is a talented vocalist and musician.
Rating: 
(but just barely)
