“La Dona”,Teena Marie
“La Dona”,Teena Marie, Cash Money, 2004
“La Dona” is positioned as a comeback CD for Teena Marie. It is hard to imagine a greater return than this one. There are seventeen tracks (one is spoken word) that feature what she is remembered for – strong production and an even stronger voice.
In case you have forgotten, Teena Marie is a white artist with a black voice. Unlike many artists who have flirted with soul music, she has always been immersed in it. “La Dona” features duets with many urban artists, including Rick James, who produced her at Motown. Some of them rap a little, but only to frame romantic vocals.
There is not a loser in any of the songs here, all of which were written or co-written by Marie. All have a rich sound and drip with sexuality. She may have been carefully photographed for the CD sleeve photos (she was born in 1957), but her voice is as powerful and enticing as ever; her high range is still dynamic. When she makes a “Honey Call,” you would not hesitate to answer the phone. When she sings “My Body’s Hungry” – well, you get the idea.
“La Dona” is a persona Marie has adopted here. The first track is a short, “Godfather” influenced skit in which she explains that she is recapturing her place in the music world – not for herself, but for “famiglia.” “La Dona” is absolutely an offer that you can’t refuse.
- Dave Howell
(This article first appeared in the FMSound music site.)
“La Dona” is positioned as a comeback CD for Teena Marie. It is hard to imagine a greater return than this one. There are seventeen tracks (one is spoken word) that feature what she is remembered for – strong production and an even stronger voice.
In case you have forgotten, Teena Marie is a white artist with a black voice. Unlike many artists who have flirted with soul music, she has always been immersed in it. “La Dona” features duets with many urban artists, including Rick James, who produced her at Motown. Some of them rap a little, but only to frame romantic vocals.
There is not a loser in any of the songs here, all of which were written or co-written by Marie. All have a rich sound and drip with sexuality. She may have been carefully photographed for the CD sleeve photos (she was born in 1957), but her voice is as powerful and enticing as ever; her high range is still dynamic. When she makes a “Honey Call,” you would not hesitate to answer the phone. When she sings “My Body’s Hungry” – well, you get the idea.
“La Dona” is a persona Marie has adopted here. The first track is a short, “Godfather” influenced skit in which she explains that she is recapturing her place in the music world – not for herself, but for “famiglia.” “La Dona” is absolutely an offer that you can’t refuse.
- Dave Howell
(This article first appeared in the FMSound music site.)