|
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
CD Description
Musical powerhouses John Legend & The Roots present fans with a fiery offering, Wake Up! featuring soulful music from the 60’s and 70’s all with an underlying theme of awareness, engagement and consciousness— effectively telling listeners to Wake Up!
After being inspired by the historical Presidential election campaign of 2008, the R&B singer Legend and hip-hop band The Roots felt a need to enter the action. What started as plans for a single quickly developed into a passionate album representing change, hope and activism— not only referencing one particular moment in time, but on a larger scale, holding true no matter what the political climate may be. The resulting album features eleven profoundly evocative songs infused with sounds of gospel, rock and reggae inflections with hip-hop influences. The album is highlighted by familiar tracks like “Wholly Holy” by Marvin Gaye and “Little Ghetto Boy” by Donny Hathaway mixed with the more obscure selections of Baby Huey and the Babysitters’ “Hard Times,” and “Hang on in There” by Mike James Kirkland.
The album features one original composition, Legend’s song "Shine," which is featured in Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim’s documentary film Waiting for Superman. The song demonstrates the strengths of this specific group of musicians. Wake Up! blends Legend’s expressive, thoughtful vocal interpretations with an element of funk that only The Roots can provide.
After being inspired by the historical Presidential election campaign of 2008, the R&B singer Legend and hip-hop band The Roots felt a need to enter the action. What started as plans for a single quickly developed into a passionate album representing change, hope and activism— not only referencing one particular moment in time, but on a larger scale, holding true no matter what the political climate may be. The resulting album features eleven profoundly evocative songs infused with sounds of gospel, rock and reggae inflections with hip-hop influences. The album is highlighted by familiar tracks like “Wholly Holy” by Marvin Gaye and “Little Ghetto Boy” by Donny Hathaway mixed with the more obscure selections of Baby Huey and the Babysitters’ “Hard Times,” and “Hang on in There” by Mike James Kirkland.
The album features one original composition, Legend’s song "Shine," which is featured in Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim’s documentary film Waiting for Superman. The song demonstrates the strengths of this specific group of musicians. Wake Up! blends Legend’s expressive, thoughtful vocal interpretations with an element of funk that only The Roots can provide.
Product Description
Other Other
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Crikey! Soul music really doesn't get much better than this!
(Actually, music of any creed or kind doesn't get much better than this!)
John Legend's collaboration with The Roots is a sonic marriage
made in heaven. Mr Legend has always had a fine voice but
on 'Wake Up!' he digs deep and comes back with the most
confident and convincing performances of his estimable career.
If I had to choose one song from the big bunch of great songs
to have flowered and flourished in the listening world this year
i'll take this ensemble's rendition of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes'
'Wake Up Everybody' (featuring the additional dulcet tones of
Common and Melanie Flora) to take with me to my desert island!
It really is wonderful beyond words. Buy it for this track alone
and then open up your ears and heart to the many other treasures
waiting to enchant, beguile and thrill you!
Marvin Gaye's 'Wholly Holy' is also given a truly sublime work-out
which really will make the hair stand up along your neck and spine!
So too the jaunty gospel-blues of Nina Simone's 'I Wish I Knew How
It Would Feel To Be Free', it's glorious message, given new breath,
life and relevance, as powerfully true as it ever was! Stunning!!
John Stephens' uplifting composition 'Shine' brings the project to a
mellow and memorable conclusion. Mr Legend sings it like an angel!
The instrumental and vocal arrangements are never less than
consummately realised. The production is warm, vivid and wholly alive.
A Masterpiece. Nothing more, nothing less!
(Actually, music of any creed or kind doesn't get much better than this!)
John Legend's collaboration with The Roots is a sonic marriage
made in heaven. Mr Legend has always had a fine voice but
on 'Wake Up!' he digs deep and comes back with the most
confident and convincing performances of his estimable career.
If I had to choose one song from the big bunch of great songs
to have flowered and flourished in the listening world this year
i'll take this ensemble's rendition of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes'
'Wake Up Everybody' (featuring the additional dulcet tones of
Common and Melanie Flora) to take with me to my desert island!
It really is wonderful beyond words. Buy it for this track alone
and then open up your ears and heart to the many other treasures
waiting to enchant, beguile and thrill you!
Marvin Gaye's 'Wholly Holy' is also given a truly sublime work-out
which really will make the hair stand up along your neck and spine!
So too the jaunty gospel-blues of Nina Simone's 'I Wish I Knew How
It Would Feel To Be Free', it's glorious message, given new breath,
life and relevance, as powerfully true as it ever was! Stunning!!
John Stephens' uplifting composition 'Shine' brings the project to a
mellow and memorable conclusion. Mr Legend sings it like an angel!
The instrumental and vocal arrangements are never less than
consummately realised. The production is warm, vivid and wholly alive.
A Masterpiece. Nothing more, nothing less!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Let me nail my colurs to the mast - in my opinion, The Roots are the finest exponents of hip-hop, period. I go back as far as Cool Herc, Soul Sonic Crew and Funk Master Flex through to KRS 1, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest and Talib Kweli. As far a John Legend is concerned, I'm a definately NOT a fan, hard as I've tried. I would not put him in the same class as Bilal, D'Angelo, Jaheim, Anthony Hamilton, Joe etc - the guy just does not move me as some singers can. As owner as both Get Lifted and Evolver albums, I always felt that he was a fine singer, but simply did not have the material to show off his talents. I compare the situation to why so many wanted to work with the Neptunes, Mark Ronson and JDilla (RIP) all geniuses when it comes to musical production.
What sets The Roots apart are that they are (have evolved) into a hip-hop "band"; their talent in this field is peerless being able to play absolutely anything, with anyone. This being they case, they obviously took time to dissect and analyse Legend's voice and subsequently selected a range of songs which are a perfect foil for his down-home earthy voice.
I first became aware of what was in store by seeing the live performance at the 2010 Fifa World Cup which blew me away - I finally thought "someone has actually worked out how to use this guy!" This album is testimony to that. Yes, apart from "Shine" its full of covers, but unless you have an encyclopaedic knowledge of music, there is lot to which you will not familiar. Apart from the title track, which is the "pull in a wide audience" track, there are a number of absolute gems. Personal favourites are Humanity (a very popular Lovers Rock staple) and wonderful version of Bill Withers (I can't write Left Handed)
I truly hope that Legend decides to look toward more collaborations so he can concentrate on creating some vocal highlights that will stand the test of time. As far as The Roots are concerned, I am once again in shock and awe of their ability to create music that I thought was lost when "auto-tune" became a household name.
Glorious
What sets The Roots apart are that they are (have evolved) into a hip-hop "band"; their talent in this field is peerless being able to play absolutely anything, with anyone. This being they case, they obviously took time to dissect and analyse Legend's voice and subsequently selected a range of songs which are a perfect foil for his down-home earthy voice.
I first became aware of what was in store by seeing the live performance at the 2010 Fifa World Cup which blew me away - I finally thought "someone has actually worked out how to use this guy!" This album is testimony to that. Yes, apart from "Shine" its full of covers, but unless you have an encyclopaedic knowledge of music, there is lot to which you will not familiar. Apart from the title track, which is the "pull in a wide audience" track, there are a number of absolute gems. Personal favourites are Humanity (a very popular Lovers Rock staple) and wonderful version of Bill Withers (I can't write Left Handed)
I truly hope that Legend decides to look toward more collaborations so he can concentrate on creating some vocal highlights that will stand the test of time. As far as The Roots are concerned, I am once again in shock and awe of their ability to create music that I thought was lost when "auto-tune" became a household name.
Glorious
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Quite simply this is the album of the year so far. Every track is a complete masterpiece. John Legend has NEVER sounded this good! Pairing up with The Roots is a match made in heaven. I've been waiting for a soulful album like this for a long time and now it's here. Fair enough its a covers album all but the last track, but nevertheless the songs are covered to the highest quality. Not even one track can be skipped in my opinion, its impossible to pick a highlight without listing every track.
I was an original John Legend fan but lost a bit of faith after his past couple of albums. I hope he continues on this note. You NEED this in your collection!
I was an original John Legend fan but lost a bit of faith after his past couple of albums. I hope he continues on this note. You NEED this in your collection!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good album
An enjoyable album but not as good as the last 2. With hindsight perhaps I should have bought the CD rather than a download - I'm not sure where the downloaded file's gone & can't... Read more
Published 12 months ago by buysupreme
Jazzy Roots
This album does depart slightly from John Legend's previous work. I'd go so far as calling it a "concept" album because I'd say it's more experimental, very much infused with jazzy... Read more
Published 13 months ago by D. Iddon
One of the best albums of 2010
John Legend does it again with a great collection of tunes from yesteryear.
Particularly love his version of Mike James Kirkland's 1972 'Hang on in there'. Read more
Particularly love his version of Mike James Kirkland's 1972 'Hang on in there'. Read more
Published 16 months ago by GT
A terrific Soul album
John Legend has always seemed to me to have something else to give on the vast majority of his output, such a fine voice too often let down by pedestrian songs or production,... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Andy Edwards
less (c)rap more funk
This is a good record especially because it's played by REAL musicians with REAL instruments.
The song are soul classics and the singing of John Legend is fine though not as... Read more
The song are soul classics and the singing of John Legend is fine though not as... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Marco Ginex
Beautiful
Concebido e inspirado durante la última campaña presidencial de Barack Obama, Wake Up! Read more
Published 18 months ago by R. N. ESPIÑEIRA
Wake and rap to it!!
Disappointed with his latest album - read the reviews and thought I would play to like it- Nah.Preffer his other albums/tracks - we don't care etc.. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. Richard Drinkwater
great music
The music is great indeed...
...but the CD was delivered to me opened, probably used -- why?
...but the CD was delivered to me opened, probably used -- why?
Published 18 months ago by Olgierd Rudak
not his best work
a mixed album, think he's trying to "mix it up" too much, stick with what you are best at John. I am slightly dissapointed with this album.
Published 18 months ago by Ninjagirl
Perfect!
Every John's album is different, and it applies for this one too! Is inspirational, full of energy and have a great message to tell. I am just amazed! Read more
Published 18 months ago by Janeysh
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Music > Pop
- Music > R&B & Soul
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
