k.d. lang - Drag

Sensual, seductive, and above all smoky, the latest from k.d. lang is a collection of a dozen tunes that all have some connection to smoking--usually in the romantic, post-coital sense--done up in a lush, orchestrated fashion. Some of these tunes are standards, such as "Smoke Dreams" and "My Last Cigarette," while others are just plain strange selections given some of the oddest readings imaginable. Case in point: the cover of Steve Miller's "The Joker." lang's voice is an incredible instrument, and it's a treat to hear her vamping. But you have to wonder what she's up to, especially because she seems to just say no to tobacco herself, --Jim Derogatis Amazon.com

smokey,sultry,but a little draggy

First, I want to say that K D Lang has an absolute gorgeous voice,sultry,and her style is jazzy and cool, but some of the songs were a little slow. The valley of the dolls theme was why i purchased this and it didnt dissapoint, Smoke Rings was great,with an Hawaiian feel. I think the theme was interesting too. She is so underrated. May 3, 2008

Drag may not be what you think

I have been a huge fan of K D Lang's for a long time now and this CD proved to be as interesting as I had hope for. When I first heard it I just laughed disbelieving my situation since I quit smoking after smoking most of my life...........and had the usual demons to deal with when you have an addiction.........but DRAG turned out to be a CD mainly concerned with smoking!!!! I laughed so hard the first time I listened to it but after that when I would get a craving I put this on and had a smoke mentally......it has kept me off the cigarettes and proved to me yet again that K. D. never ceases to amaze me and has kept me constantly entertained over the years not only with that incredible voice but the sense of humor that is ever present...........way to go! March 28, 2008

The Leader of The Pack

KD Lang plays with a very, very loose concept on "Drag," a collection of songs that have some connection to smoking. That connection is, at times, very fleeting (like "The Air That I Breathe" or "Theme from The Valley of The Dolls") or vivid, like "Don't Smoke In Bed." The real thread here is the languid pace of it all, with Craig Street's production layering everything with smoky, sensual torch-song arrangements. When it works, like the opening "Don't Smoke In Bed," it plays like the most atmospheric of movie soundtracks. When it doesn't (Steve Miller's signature song "The Joker"), it's just awful.

But there are three letter-perfect songs here, "The Air That I Breathe," "Valley of the Dolls" and "Don't Smoke In Bed," that prove Lang's skill at covering Roy Orbison was no fluke. It also came out better a few years down the road when she did interpretations of other Canadian artists on "Hymns of the 49th Parallel." What might have driven this rating up to a fourth star would have been an uptempo song or two; the "Drag" title starts to take on an unintended third meaning.

Still, you keep coming back for that voice. Lang is, no question in my mind, one of the best female voices the 80's produced. She's on a par with Annie Lennox in that category, and the best work on "Drag" (or "Ingénue" or "Reintarnation") maintains her standard of excellence.
August 26, 2007

Not to be played before dark

This disc needs dark surroundings, and preferably a smoky atmosphere. All the songs are downtempo, often sombre. Thematically they are linked by references to smoking (hence the title, which does not refer to kd's dress in the cover shot) but they are not necessarily about smoking. Still, this is one of the more consistent, and consistently good, efforts kd lang has released.

Heartily recommended for the midnight hour. October 23, 2005

Magical

K.D.Lang is to date, the single most talented female vocalist I've ever heard.Her music is unlike any other female artist who is known for there style or singing ability. trust me, I've listened to the greats over the years to the likes of :Ella F. Sara V. Rosemary C. Anita B. All are good, but you could cluster them together and get the same sound. K.D.Lang's uniqueness sets her apart from the rest, she's the embodyment of the so called "songstress" and makes her own sound, her own! December 15, 2004

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