Looking for Emeli Sandé's acclaimed album Our Version of Events? You might like to know that she has released a special edition featuring five bonus tracks, including the Labrinth track "Beneath Your Beautiful", plus the Naughty Boy single "Wonder", and her memorable cover of the classic Lennon hit "Imagine". |
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Track Listings
| 1. Heaven |
| 2. My Kind Of Love |
| 3. Where I Sleep |
| 4. Mountains |
| 5. Clown |
| 6. Daddy (feat. Naughty Boy) |
| 7. Maybe |
| 8. Suitcase |
| 9. Breaking The Law |
| 10. Next To Me |
| 11. River |
| 12. Lifetime |
| 13. Hope |
| 14. Read All About It (Pt. III) [Bonus Track] |
Product Description
Review
Emeli Sandé’s aptly-named solo debut single Heaven was arguably the finest British pop song released in 2011. The Scottish singer-songwriter’s seraphic vocal swoops and producer Shahid ‘Naughty Boy’ Khan’s reassuring old-school breakbeats were warmly received by listeners, while a striking similarity to Massive Attack’s Unfinished Sympathy can rarely hurt a song’s success.
Considering Heaven, which opens Our Version of Events, and the fact Sandé has written for everyone from Alicia Keys and Leona Lewis to Tinie Tempah, Sugababes and even Susan Boyle, it's perhaps reasonable to expect the most consistently great pop album since Girls Aloud’s Out of Control. Although this doesn’t arrive, we do have a charming and occasionally moving record full of care and polish, effort and grace.
"I can’t buy your love, don’t even want to try / Sometimes the truth won’t make you happy," sings Sandé on My Kind of Love, amid filtered pianos and surprisingly understated gospel chants. Lovely stuff, but it would have been a more compelling listen if the track was ludicrous and overblown, like the brilliant George Michael and Mary J. Blige cover of Stevie Wonder’s As.
Previous single Daddy is better. There’s a dose of believably bad male behaviour: "But friends keep telling you what he did last night / How many girls he kissed, how many he liked." Fittingly, the brooding mood created by a trip-hop beat and dramatic strings is reminiscent of another man famously lacking caution in his relationships: James Bond. On this evidence, expect Sandé to soundtrack a 007 movie within the next five years with the help of former grime man Khan.
A change of tone towards slow folk for Breaking the Law brings forth the album’s best lines: "Point it out, I’m gonna steal it / I will break in late at night, shake up how you’re feeling." Metaphorical though Sandé’s lyrics are, they retain a heartfelt truth, and it’s easy to imagine her peering round a corner at last summer’s protests and riots jotting notes feverishly.
Lifetime has a reference to books being burned and statues falling, while Hope includes the line, "I hope we can fix all that we burn". Barely a year after the Arab Spring, is it too much to hope for a politically-conscious pop star? One who can write brilliant songs and get fans thinking about something other than their broken hearts and rampant libidos?
The album ends with a version of Read All About It, the number one song she performed with Professor Green – whatever her motivation for including it here, neither Sandé’s talent nor ambition are in question. It seems unlikely she’ll make another album as restrained as this one, but it will be interesting to see whether she embraces a bolder sound, develops her own big ideas or, perhaps, delivers a captivating combination of the two.
--Lou Thomas
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Debut album from the BRIT Awards' 2012 Critic's Choice Award winner Emeli Sandé, Our Version of Events includes the Scottish singer-songwriter's hits "Heaven" and "Daddy".
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
129 of 136 people found the following review helpful
By Scorpio
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
As I approach my 65th year, I have despaired at the direction of a great deal of modern popular music. Emilie Sande is, to me, a bright light in a dim world. She has great talent as a songwriter and a soulful voice that touches your heart. She deserves to succeed: a talent which could storm the World. A truly great soul singer.
61 of 66 people found the following review helpful
By sashafierce
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I pre-ordered this album as I love one of the songs on it. I do this a lot and then find I don't really like any of the other songs. I'm glad to say that I love every song on this album.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard Emeli Sande in 2011 when her debut single "Heaven" received repeated airplay on the radio and shot to Number 2 in the singles chart. The use of very similar arrangements to Massive Attack's "Unfinished Sympathy" determined that this song would be an instant hit. It was a very smart move, propelling Emeli into the limelight. A few singles later and the album "Our Version Of Events" is released to massive critical acclaim. It is clear from the first listen that this girl is destined for stardom with her distinguished image, powerful well chosen Pop songs and beautiful pitch perfect vocals.
And it is the lead single and first highlight "Heaven" that sets the album off in style with powerful rhythms and vocals. The fourth single "My Kind Of Love" follows and is just as instantly addictive and melodic. "Where I Sleep" is a relatively short but sweet mid-tempo track with a lovely melody. Two inspiring and heartfelt ballads follow in "Mountains" and the beautiful piano led "Clown". The second single "Daddy" follows, speedening up the tempo once again and bringing back those powerful rhythms. However, ballads seem to be Emeli's prefered territory as the following three are superb: "Maybe" is a beautiful string led ballad, whilst the second highlight "Suitcase" is breathtakingly emotional and the acoustic guitar led "Breaking The Law" is raw and spine tingling. "Next To Me", the infectious brilliant third single and third highlight, follows but we return immediately to another sumptuous piano led ballad, "River". "Lifetime" is a pleasant enough uptempo Soul influenced number and "Hope" is another nice ballad, but Emeli's acoustic piano version of "Read All About It" brings another emotional moment and adds a fourth highlight to this wonderful album.... Read more ›
And it is the lead single and first highlight "Heaven" that sets the album off in style with powerful rhythms and vocals. The fourth single "My Kind Of Love" follows and is just as instantly addictive and melodic. "Where I Sleep" is a relatively short but sweet mid-tempo track with a lovely melody. Two inspiring and heartfelt ballads follow in "Mountains" and the beautiful piano led "Clown". The second single "Daddy" follows, speedening up the tempo once again and bringing back those powerful rhythms. However, ballads seem to be Emeli's prefered territory as the following three are superb: "Maybe" is a beautiful string led ballad, whilst the second highlight "Suitcase" is breathtakingly emotional and the acoustic guitar led "Breaking The Law" is raw and spine tingling. "Next To Me", the infectious brilliant third single and third highlight, follows but we return immediately to another sumptuous piano led ballad, "River". "Lifetime" is a pleasant enough uptempo Soul influenced number and "Hope" is another nice ballad, but Emeli's acoustic piano version of "Read All About It" brings another emotional moment and adds a fourth highlight to this wonderful album.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Glenn Harvey
Format:Audio CD
Emeli is a fantastic singer and musical artist. The album is rather relaxing and chilling. It's a good one to play in the back ground or in the car after a long day at work.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Aledscave
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Amazing album, well worth waiting for the special version, every song is outstanding. Emeli will be making music for a long time to come!
54 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By Don Panik
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
This is a fantastic record, signalling a fresh, new emerging talent. Emeli Sandé has a great voice, great song writing abilities and a striking look. Couple that with her intelligent and grounded Aberdonian personality and wide ranging contacts in the music business coming out of her track record of writing songs for other people and you have an apparently sure-fire recipe for success.
You will have heard and noticed some of the singles released, but I first became properly aware of her from her appearance on Jools Holland, where she did a stripped down version of 'heaven'. I liked the breakbeats /trip-hop version which is the opening track on the album, but when you hear it taken down to an acoustic level you really appreciate the raw talent. To that extent the comparisons with Adele are inevitable (given that Adele now sets the bench mark and did a similarly impressive live take of someone like you on the same show, and not least because Emeli's first name happens to be Adele!)
This is a record varied in style. There are some excellent pop songs with full pop production, as well as slower more acoustic numbers. Her great voice and gift for melody are the linking threads, but some may find that range of styles detracts - sometimes this feels more of a showcase than a coherent album. But what a showcase! Subject matter for songs tends towards love: lost, found and yearned for. The lyrics however are often fresh and intelligent, and on occasion ('river') seem to transcend the human towards religious overtones (well that's my take anyway).
In summary, this is a great debut which will have wide appeal. Highly recommended.
You will have heard and noticed some of the singles released, but I first became properly aware of her from her appearance on Jools Holland, where she did a stripped down version of 'heaven'. I liked the breakbeats /trip-hop version which is the opening track on the album, but when you hear it taken down to an acoustic level you really appreciate the raw talent. To that extent the comparisons with Adele are inevitable (given that Adele now sets the bench mark and did a similarly impressive live take of someone like you on the same show, and not least because Emeli's first name happens to be Adele!)
This is a record varied in style. There are some excellent pop songs with full pop production, as well as slower more acoustic numbers. Her great voice and gift for melody are the linking threads, but some may find that range of styles detracts - sometimes this feels more of a showcase than a coherent album. But what a showcase! Subject matter for songs tends towards love: lost, found and yearned for. The lyrics however are often fresh and intelligent, and on occasion ('river') seem to transcend the human towards religious overtones (well that's my take anyway).
In summary, this is a great debut which will have wide appeal. Highly recommended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Pen Name
Format:Audio CD
I bought this for my girlfriend's birthday and she loves it. The product itself was in mint condition and arrived quickly. I have not heard the album myself but my girlfriend says it's brilliant.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By paul
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was a present for my wife and she loved it, I also liked it and put it on my ipod, very good. Easy on the ears.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
crochet momma
Beautiful album. This cd has been playing in my car ever since I purchased it. Buy it you will not be disappointed. Speedy delivery and packaged well.
Published 4 days ago by H. Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous
What can I say I love every song and play it over and over again can't wait for a new one.
Published 5 days ago by Denise Galliford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marmite lady
Why is it that Emile Sande can entrance and annoy with the same tune at different times? Sometimes I'm enraptured by her singing and sometimes I think how trite it is. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Mr. R. C. SPENCER-SMITH
4.0 out of 5 stars
great
the of the best singers around at the moment, but was let down by not able to watch the video.
Published 6 days ago by frank
5.0 out of 5 stars
fab cd
Really good tracks on thus album. Worth purchasing. Suits all age groups too! Words are included with tracks so you can sing along if you fancy!
Published 7 days ago by deb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good music
Very good catchy music, some are a bit slow and soothing, while others just make you want to turn up the volume!
Published 8 days ago by stephen croft
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing album
Been wanting this for ages, brilliant, lived up to the long wait, hope the new one is as good as this
Published 8 days ago by mrsjbfish
5.0 out of 5 stars
Our version of events by Emili Sandee
Brilliant album, the girl reaslly can sing. Bought as present for husband and he plays it constantly so thank you
Published 9 days ago by superfly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Our version of events
Love this CD. Not a huge fan of a lot of the music out there today as it sounds like it could have been churned out in half an hour. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Savannah Copland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glad I Waited for the Special Edition
I like all of Emelie Sande's singles but am glad I waited for the special edition of her album as the bonus tracks really do make it for me.
Published 9 days ago by Ms. Lauren Plant
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