Mama Said

by

Lenny Kravitz

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There aren't many reviews on this page that do justice to "Mama Said," including the rather pompous view of the Amazon staffer at the top.

I would venture to say that this is not only Lenny Kravitz' best album, but his ONLY album that holds up from beginning to end; I find all of Lenny's music this side of "Are You Gonna Go My Way" to be mere shadows of the greatness he exhibited here. I guess I liked him a lot better sounding like Sly Stone and John Lennon and Curtis Mayfield, than I do now, sounding like Jeff Lynne. He perhaps should have gone blacker rather that whiter.

That brings me to one other point.../everyone/ in music cops their schtick from somewhere. Why don't we look back and bag on Sly for copping from James Brown, or rip into Miles Davis for copping from both of them? Or the Beatles and Stones, for ripping off Buddy Holly? Or blah blah blah. You could trace musical theft back to a caveman beating on a tree-trunk drum, if you had enough time to research your bitter little record review.

You're not going to be disappointed if you buy "Mama Said." In fact, I give you my personal guarantee as an Essentially Anonymous Poster that you'll probably like it a lot better than "LENNY."

My first Lenny Kravitz album was "Are You Gonna Go My Way", and at the time I bought that, the store clerk recommended "Mama Said". I finally bought it, and was disappointed. I had come to expect musical sensitivity, discernible melodies, and music that is easy on the ears. I did not find that on "Mama Said". Instead, I got grinding guitars, not a small amount of wailing, and a general lack of harmoniousness. However, I love Lenny's voice, and his style, and I really enjoyed "It Ain't Over" and "Stand By My Woman", which are more what I expect. I greatly prefer "Are You Gonna Go My Way" to this CD, though those who want a harder, more driven edge may appreciate "Mama Said".