Sheena Easton - Madness, Money & Music

I Just Love Sheena Easton

Now here is an woman that is indeed one of the best female's around today. When i first brought this alumb i was amaze at how good she was.

Rondall May 30, 2008

The Best of the Early Albums

Throughout Sheena Easton's radio career, one can look back and classify her music into three stylistic periods: the first four albums (1980-1983), the "Prince era" (1984-1991) and post-Top-40 (1993-current). It is this reviewer's opinion that her first four albums were the best musically and "Madness, Money, and Music" tops them all. The re-issue CD contains the original ten tracks and three bonus tracks. With the bonus tracks, one half of the album contains ballads.

What truly brings this album over the top is a combination of Sheena's vocal interpretation and the orchestration, especially in the ballads. This is where she really shines. The melodies are well constructed and the lyrics meaningful, giving her the opportunity for a greater freedom of expression. Songs like "In the Winter," a cover of a Janis Ian song, and the bonus track "So We Say Goodbye" scale down the orchestration to the bare minimum with just her and the keys. If those tunes fail to touch you emotionally, I don't know what will.

Her version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" was one of the first to be recorded and is by far one of the best versions out there. It's very simply put together with piano, drums, bass, keys and backing vocals. She sticks closely to the melody, keeping it soft for the verses and belting it out for the choruses. If you're a fan of that song, you really owe it to yourself to check it out.

On the flip side, Sheena kicks up the pace with driving rock tunes like "Weekend in Paris" and the title track. Both tracks, very different from her mid-80's dance music, are more in the style of early Heart and Pat Benetar. Some of her words are tough to make out when she reaches for those high notes; otherwise, they're great tunes - I wish she had stuck with this style. The only downside to the album is the one that was released as a hit, "Machinery." I don't know why the label chose that song - it's about as corny as they get. Any other song off the album would have been a better release.

If you're a fan of "Sugar Walls" and "Strut," this album may not appeal to you. Listen to the samples, anyway - openly. I think you'll discover a much more creative side of Sheena. April 12, 2008

Excellence in Madness....

This is by far one of Sheena's best albums, and unfortunately one that bombed in the US at a time when it could have continued the upwards swing that came from her first two US releases. There is not a loser track on the whole album - aside from "Machinery", which is just odd - and it contains an absolutely beautiful version of "Wind Beneath My Wings". (For those die-hard fans, you should find "Todo Me Recuerda A Ti" to hear the equally beautiful Spanish version). "I Wouldn't Beg For Water" is a standout tune showcasing the best of Sheena's powerful voice. This album has some great pop tunes on it and an amazing cover of Janis Ian's "In The Winter"; "You Do It" (covered by Diana Ross the next year) and the title track which should have been the collections' lead off single. Unfortunately, the aforementioned Machinery took that honor and ultimately quelled the popularity of the album. March 31, 2007

By far my favourite

The last of Sheena's British albums. I loved it back in the 80's and it still holds up now. The ballads are by far the best thing on the album with Ice Out In The Rain, In The Winter and I Wouldn't Beg For Water all stand out tracks. But by far the best song is her version of Wind Beneath my Wings. This is beautifully sung and vastly superior to the over-sung Bette Midler travesty that was the hit version. An under-rated album and unfortunately the last album she did in this style. Her American albums just weren't the same. May 20, 2006

One of her Best Vocal performances

When Sheena Easton burst onto the music seen, she was known as the short (5") Scottish lass with the powerful voice. Madness, Money, & Music, Miss Easton's third album, showcases that title to perfection! Sheena Easton has always been one of my favourite singers, and though her last couple of albums have fallen by the wayside (Fabulous-somewhat understandable unfortunately, Freedom-admit I have not heard it yet), she still has the ability to blow your socks off with her vocals. This album, I feel, showcases her best vocal performances despite the fact it came nowhere near the sales of the first two. The third track "I wouldn't Beg for Water" has one of her most heartfelt vocals and hits some notes that "SOAR". Two others that showcase are the title track "Madness, Money and Music" & "In The Winter". When you blend the marvelous Sheen Easton and excellent orchestrations, you have this album. If you are looking for more rock/pop type songs of her next couple of albums you will not find them here, but you will find pure vocal talent with emotion to spare. May 6, 2005

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