Let It Be
A funky introduction to the album talking about whatever the style, just let it be.
The Real Thing
Guitars take us straight from the introduction into the title track, which has a rocky, harder sound to it. Reggae guitars join and fit right in. Scott sings about herself with lyrics that could only come from this published poet. The choruses are slow but, at times, the words are sung so fast that Beyoncé would have trouble keeping up. A brass finale rounds this song off well.
Hate On Me
The lead single from the album starts with some dark strings and we immediately know that this is not going to be all sunshine and light. A hip hop beats drops over the low strings that become a permanent fixture. Jill is saying that no matter what she does for some people, they will never be satisfied and will still Hate On Her. Her conclusion is to let them get on with it, whilst she stays true to herself and does what she feels is right.
Come See Me
Organs and brass start of this song, which has a contrasting sound to 'Hate On Me'. Whilst that track feels almost angry, this one is calm as calm can be. It deals with lovers separated by a great distance and how financially, we may not always be able to simply hop on a plane to be where we want to be. We hear how Jill is feeling being apart from her love. The song is beautiful.
Crown Royal
Written as train of thought, this short track (1min 48secs) is one of my favourite on the album. The Deluxe Verstion of The Real Thing does have this extended into 'Imagination/Crown Royal Suite', however. You will also be able to see a live performance on the bonus section of the 'Live In Paris' album. The sound is hard to describe but the result is great.
Epiphany
Drums provide the only accompaniment for a spoken vocal joined part way in by guitars. Jill always includes poetry in her Words And Sounds Albums, 'Exclusively' and 'Watching Me' both from 'Who Is Jill Scott?' being personal favourites. This is still good.
My Love
Another release from the album where one of Jill's lovers gets married, which takes her by surprise. The spoken introduction is great and bettered on the Live At The House Of Blues performance that can be found in the same bonus section of 'Live In Paris'. Jill rationalises her lover's choice for marrying but makes it quite clear that her love is, 'Deeper, Tighter, Sweeter, Higher, Flyer'.
Insomnia
This song is a narrative of Jill laying awake throughout the night (we get regular time checks), waiting for her lover to arrive or call. She knows that this is not how it is supposed to be and is, as she herself says, 'miserable'. The vocal is smooth and the spoken words where Jill realises what has happened to her is a great touch.
How It Make You Feel
This is the one song that sometimes gets skipped, which is a shame, as the message is great. It is a slow song to black men who treat their black women badly and don't give them the respect that they deserve. They are asked to stop and think about how they would feel if all black women were gone. The verses cites the beauty in the women that they treat with indifference with some truly great imagery.
Only You
The piano provides the introduction to this song with some haunting strings and a slow hip hop beat. The verse starts low and sets the tone for the song. It is a song to a lover how it is all about them and how nothing will distract her from them. The beat gets harder as the song goes on, litterally hammering the point home. A grower.
Whenever You're Around
This is a favourite of mine and is a bouncy, almost upbeat song, despite the lyric. The words are to a partner and reveals that Scott has been receiving welcome attention from a love rival. Nothing has happened yet but she hints that it may well do soon as there is something missing in her current relationship. She is lonely, whenever you're around she sings to him. The instrumental section is great and builds the song until a more powerful vocal hits us with the bridge; showing her frustration with the present situation. I love this.
Celibacy Blues
The title gives away the style of this short track, coming in at 2mins 15secs. Only a guitar accompanies Scott on this song about abstinence, if you can call needing new batteries every night abstinence! Brushed drums join in towards the end of the track with an electric guitar to round things off nicely.
All I
When I first heard this album, this was my favourite song. A bass drum starts off what soon becomes a very sexy rhythm. This sexiness is reflected in the lyrics, which read, 'All I dream about is making love' and then progress into some pretty steamy territory. One for the bedroom.
Wanna Be Loved
Another personal favourite, this one is spoken and sung simultaneously. The vocal is staccato in places, just like in 'Love Rain'. Coincidence? I think not. This is a seriously great track.
Breathe
Serving as an outro rather than another song. It is as funky an affair as the intro and has a sung vocal that sounds like it is going to break into a rap at any point, which is does eventually do. It is about Jill herself so how can this not be good?
The third installment of Words And Sounds is as good as its predecessors and shows that there seems to be no problem with this lady coming up with good song after good song. Everybody seems to be wanting to work with this lady ('Collaborations', anyone?) and it is a surprise that comercially this grammy-winning artist isn't at the top of the charts all around the world. She is as good live as she is in the studio, as those who own her two live CDs or have been fortunate to see her do her thing will testify. I have seen her once and would recommend her without a doubt. You need to watch her though, she'll leave, do an encore, leave again and then wait until you are pretty much at the door before literally running out on stage with a big smile on her face to do a few more tracks.
One of my favourite artists, you have to buy this.
Jill Scott's Official Website: www.jillscott.com
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