The Dana Owens Album
 | Interscope Records, 2004, Audio CD Customer Rating: 215 reviews Recommend |
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"...a collection of timeless classics chosen and covered by the Queen herself"
Everyone grows up... even rappers. Pioneering female MC Queen Latifah shows a newfound level of maturity on The Dana Owens Album. A set of standards the rapper/actress decided to cover, the album features a host of jazz classics and R&B favorites.
Latifah is at her seductive best when playing the sultry siren on Al Green's "Simply Beautiful." With a little help from Green himself, Latifah's vocals slide over the warm, organ-drenched instrumental. The result is one that works today as well as it would have several years ago. Similarly, the big band-backed "Baby Get Lost" swings with bluesy groove that is pure nostalgia.
However, it's when Latifah mines more standard fare that the album seems to hita snag. Fans of James Moody's "Moody's Mood for Love" may want to skip Latifah's version, as it misses the subtle perfection of the original. Her rendition of "I Put a Spell On You" doesn't falter, but it's not impressive either. It ends up being the kind of performance that finds you constantly waiting for more but never getting it. The same can be said for her cover of the Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin'."
That said, with Latifah's recent critically acclaimed turn in the film Chicago, this album's timing couldn't have been better. And with help from legendary producer Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin), The Dana Owens Album is an interesting and impressive new chapter in the star's diverse career. — Rashaun Hall
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- Baby Get Lost
- I Put a Spell on You
- Simply Beautiful
- The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
- Moody's Mood for Love
- Close Your Eyes
- California Dreamin'
- Hard Times
- Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
- Hello Stranger
- If I Had You
- Lush Life
Title: The Dana Owens Album
Sales Rank: 2371 in Music
Artist: Queen Latifah
Label: Interscope Records, 2004-09-28, Audio CD, 1 Disc
Package Dimensions: 5.7 x 5 x 0.4 inches, 0.22 pounds
- Another side of Queen Latifah!
- She has a great voice & I enjoyed this CD. There were only a couple of songs that I thought were "overdone," but I recommend this CD for those who enjoy the standards and Dana's talented vocals and delivery. More reviews
- Chase Von's Review of The Dana Owens Album
- When I first heard this ladies version of "California Dreamin" I loved it! Only one problem? Who was singing it? Seemed every time I caught it on the radio I would miss the part where they said who it was by. So you can imagine my surprise when I found out it was Dana Owens, AKA Queen Latifah! Over the years I've… More reviews
- Irksome lack of knowledge of the LYRICS
- I do like Queen Latifah as an actress. I do not like her as a so-called 'jazz singer'. Why not? Well, heck she didn't get the lyrics right SEVERAL times. Particularly in Lush Life. Gee, people, if you are gonna pretend you 'love jazz' then you should at least know the lyrics to the songs you attempt to sing. For those of us who are… More reviews
- well done
- the Queen suprises a lot of folks with this cd composed of all singing. With a jazzy, R&B feel to it. It takes you on a trip and doesnt bring you back until the last song is over with. Its very soothing, comforting and her voice is strong when needed and subtle yet passionate on other tracks. But throughout the Dana Owens… More reviews
- the queen crosses over!
- queen latifah followed up her fantastic performance in 2002's 'chicago' with a cd of light jazz standard of many decades.
if i'mnot mistaken, she dedicated the album to her mother, but this is one for the many fans that knew she could deliver the goods with a great set of melodies and lyrics.
every track is golden but the… More reviews
