By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the first 2021 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews!
We have a lot of music to unpack! So let’s get the party started.
Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook, Vol.1 by Barry Gibb & Various Artists
Music icon Barry Gibb kicks off this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. The last surviving member of the Bee Gees released his third solo album: Greenfields. The legendary singer-songwriter recruited a plethora of music superstars to re-record the Gibb Brothers songbook. From icons Dolly Parton and Olivia Newton-John to country music stalwarts Keith Urban and Little Big Town, Mr. Gibb’s team did a superb job assembling his collaborators. There are several highlights, including a haunting cover of “Words” with Dolly Parton, “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You” with Keith Urban, and “How Deep Is Your Love” with Little Big Town and Tommy Emmanuel, which will give listeners chills. I believe that Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook will unite music lovers of different generations to honor the Gibbs’ impeccable musical legacy. A-
Tracks to Download: “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” “Words,” “Lonely Days,” “How Deep is Your Love,” & “To Love Somebody.”
“Somewhere” by Aretha Franklin
It is hard to believe that on August 16, 2021, it will mark three years since the Queen of Soul passed away. Sometime this year, Atlantic Records will release a massive collection that features the late Aretha Franklin’s recording catalog. In this catalog, fans will find an alternative version of Ms. Franklin’s cover of the classic West Side Story anthem: “Somewhere.” While the “Chain of Fools” singer recorded the piece in 1973, the alternative version still showcases Aretha Franklin at her most refined in the early stages of her lengthy career. A+
“When the Lights Go Down” by Bonnie Tyler
Over the past few years, I have become a fan of the legendary Welsh pop rocker Bonnie Tyler. Icon vs. Icon reported that the “Total Eclipse of the Heart” vocalist is dropping her eighteenth studio album: The Best Is Yet to Come. Her first single, “When the Lights Go Down,” is pure magic! Ms. Tyler sounds fantastic, and the track is superb from start to finish. I am looking forward to hearing more from Ms. Tyler as the year goes on! A
“Afterglow” by Ed Sheeran
It has been a while since we heard from the “Perfect” singer-songwriter. For Christmas 2020, the four-time Grammy winner released a new song as a holiday gift. Ed Sheeran co-wrote the track with songwriters David Hodges and Fred Gibson. “Afterglow” is a beautiful song from start to finish, and it marked Ed Sheeran’s return to music. A-
“Anyone” by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber kicked off 2021 by releasing a new single: “Anyone.” He co-wrote it with Andrew Watt, Jon Bellion, Michael Pollack, Raul Cubina, and The Monsters & Strangerz. When I first listened to this song, I immediately thought that this could be his “Daylight” (Maroon 5’s 2012 hit). It is probably one of the “What Do You Mean?” singer-songwriter’s top songs of the last five years. Well done, Justin and team! B+
Head to the bottom of the page to check out the first Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch Edition of 2021!
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