Lovers Rock/ Lovers Live (CD & DVD)
Lovers Live(DVD)Sade fans may experience a range of emotions while watching the first-rateLovers Live, but one thing they won't feel is shortchanged--not with nearly two hours of concert footage, 22 songs (including almost all of herLovers Rockalbum), and DVD bonus features galore. That sultry, soulful Sade sound is in full effect throughout the concert (filmed at two Southern California locations in 2001), brought to life by a capable band, some superbly evocative visuals and sound effects, and, of course, the singer herself. The show is dramatic, but never overly theatrical; best of all, Sade, while perhaps not the world's greatest performer, is an adult--you'll find no pop-princess posing here. Of the nine songs fromLovers Rock, "Slave Song" and "Immigrant" are especially moving, revealing that Sade added some new flavors to her sound during her protracted layoff from performing. This show is pure Sade--and that's a good thing.--Sam GrahamLovers Rock(CD)Sade's brand of elegant pop/R&B; owned the charts in the '80s, making the Nigerian/British chanteuse one of those artists whose very name becomes the adjective to describe their sound. After an eight-year layoff, Sade and her core band (and longtime producer Mike Pela) are back with a CD that is both a stunning reaffirmation of her artistry and a solid soulful collection. Perhaps the best thing that can be said aboutLovers Rockis that it picks up where Sade left off, which means you will hear no cool beats or hot hired hands or hip-hop cameos. This is Sade music, and on the first single, "By Your Side," she glides back into the spotlight on gentle, countryish, sparse wings--singing, once again, about love's power to redeem. Of course, Sade knows that love can stink: listen to the dub-riddim-tinged "Every Word" and cry tears of recognition. Decidedly female but utterly universal, grown up yet not hardened,Lovers Rockranks as one of the best of the year, and marks the return of a true original.--Amy Linden