Saul Williams

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Arriving six years after he made a splash with the film Slam and three years after his debut disc Amethyst Rock Star, the second album from spoken-word standout Saul Williams is a knot of contradictions. It challenges hip-hop orthodoxy through the liberal use of heavy rock samples and beats (see especially "Grippo")--not to mention incendiary cameos from rockers Serj Tankian (System of a Down) and Zack De La Rocha (Rage Against the Machine)--but it also gets bogged down at times by repetitive riffs ("List of Demands"). At his best, as on the opener "Talk to Strangers," Williams's measured delivery packs an entrancing power. Elsewhere, however, he sounds like he's just reading, not flowing, and his words fall flat. It doesn't help that Williams occasionally lapses into lecture mode, broadly dissing commercial hip-hop in the spoken-word piece "Telegram." He fares far better when he turns his lyrical lasers on legitimate foes, like the oil-thirsty warmongers in "Act III Scene 2." --Anders Smith Lindall

Saul Williams,Saul Williams,Fader Label,Hip-Hop,Political Rap,Pop,Rap,Spoken / Comedy / Radio Shows

Saul Williams

Saul Williams

Average customer rating:

Disappointing

Not Just Another MC

Great discovery...

BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!

Already the 2nd Hiphop-album I love this year..

Saul Williams
Saul Williams
Manufacturer: Fader Label
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Poetry | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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The Dead Emcee Scrolls: The Lost Teachings of Hip-Hop

Said the Shotgun to the Head

She

Slam

The Seventh Octave - The Early Writings of Saul Stacy Williams

ASIN: B0002XEDZI
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Talk To Strangers
Grippo
Telegram
Act III Scene 2 (Shakespeare)
List Of Demands (Reparations)
African Student Movement
Black Stacey
PG
Surrender ( A Second To Think)
Control Freak
Seaweed
Notice Of Eviction

Amazon.com

Arriving six years after he made a splash with the film Slam and three years after his debut disc Amethyst Rock Star, the second album from spoken-word standout Saul Williams is a knot of contradictions. It challenges hip-hop orthodoxy through the liberal use of heavy rock samples and beats (see especially "Grippo")--not to mention incendiary cameos from rockers Serj Tankian (System of a Down) and Zack De La Rocha (Rage Against the Machine)--but it also gets bogged down at times by repetitive riffs ("List of Demands"). At his best, as on the opener "Talk to Strangers," Williams's measured delivery packs an entrancing power. Elsewhere, however, he sounds like he's just reading, not flowing, and his words fall flat. It doesn't help that Williams occasionally lapses into lecture mode, broadly dissing commercial hip-hop in the spoken-word piece "Telegram." He fares far better when he turns his lyrical lasers on legitimate foes, like the oil-thirsty warmongers in "Act III Scene 2." --Anders Smith Lindall

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-06-07

I really enjoyed Amethyst Rock Star. It really took me aback and made me rethink my take on Hip Hop as a whole. Williams' latest however falls short in my opinion. I find it much less compelling and less musical (for lack of a better term) than his first. Perhaps if you're a big fan of his spoken word this album will be for you, as I find it much more "beat poet" than hip hop.

Not Just Another MC.......2006-01-04

There are no "interludes" or "skits", but I would not call all 12 tracks "songs". Saul Williams showcases his talents as a rapper, a singer, and a spoken-word artist (he's also an actor). "List of Demands (Reparations)" and "Grippo" both have crazy beats; the rest of the songs are OK, but not nearly as remarkable. Still, he's deep, so prepare to dig it. Lyrics in booklet.

Great discovery..........2005-12-10

I saw Saul in concert with NIN recently at Voodoo Musicfest in NOLA. He was awesome. Of course, he had NIN backing him so his show was great. He performed "List of Demands" and "African Student Movement". I was so impressed that I bought the album. I like both of the songs that I heard performed live as well as "Act III Scene 2(Shakespeare)" with Zach from Rage Against the Machine as a guest. "Telegram" is also a great song.
It's an album that has lots of great beats varying from slow to fast. Saul changes his vocal style on different tracks, it's particularly funny when he does a song in a 50 cent voice. It also has some political messages put forth in a refreshing tone. It never sounds like Saul is trying to hammer you over the head with his ideas.
It's been in my rotation non-stop since I bought it.

BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!.......2005-08-17

For someone who has been listening to hip hop and a lot of other music since a teen, there is something on these tracks for everyone. Secondly, the lyrics that Saul has are gripping to the socially conscious. In such a mad world that we live in, Saul has a way of just getting it all out. If you like rage against the machine, public enemy and KRS1, you need to here this. If you like punk rock, you need to hear this as well. I can go on and on about Saul Williams. From the moment I heard this amazing stuff live I knew I had to buy this album. To hear his message is nothing short of a refreashing release for all that is wrong in this world in music, world politics, racism and just life in general. Thank you Saul for representing an honest voice in this ill time we live in. We need more like you.

Already the 2nd Hiphop-album I love this year.........2005-05-05

..and that comes out of the mouth of a man who used to hate hiphop. Well, I still hate mainstream-hiphop (or better, mainstream in general), but again a hiphop-album blew me away this year. The first one that blew me away was 'Young Dangerous Heart' by Subtitle, wich was released at the beginning of this year. Yet, I find this to be better then Subtitle's album, wich had some flaws..
This is nearly flawless. Overall, this is labeled as 'hiphop', but you can clearly hear the rock- en electro-influences on it. It's a bit Rage At The Machina-esque. From the openingtrack 'Talk To Strangers' I was hooked. The piano is very good, but the lyrics are the real stand-outs. He's a lyrically genuis. On 'Grippo' and especially 'Telegram' you can hear the aggresive rock-style he uses frequently. Also, he seems to have alot of critism on hiphop. On 'Act III Scene 2' you can hear the unmistakeble voice of Zach De La Rocha from RATM. I could go on about each track, but I'm not going to do that. I'll just say 'Black Stacey' is a classic! Very personal and again the piano, that song is worth the price of this album alone. I not only recommending this to hiphop-fans, but also to fans of good music with an open mind. Now if you excuse me, I have some repeated 'Black Stacey'-listening to do.

Average customer rating:

Looking for Something Different
Not a poetry album
Making Spoken Word Accessible
Probably closer to 4.75 stars
Lyrically wonderful

Amethyst Rock Star
Saul Williams
Manufacturer: American Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Saul Williams
Not in My Name
Said the Shotgun to the Head
The Dead Emcee Scrolls: The Lost Teachings of Hip-Hop
Slam

ASIN: B00005QKBM
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Tracks:

Lalala
Penny For A Thought
Robeson
Tao Of Now
Fearless
Untimely Meditations
Om Nia Merican
1987
Coded Language
Our Father
Wine

Amazon.com

Performed by a raucous sextet made up of beats, bass, guitar, cello, viola, and griot, Saul Williams hip-hop sounds like modern chamber music. It's music informed as much by Hendrix's star-strangled striations and Miles Davis's alchemical electric period as it is the krunk-krunk of contemporary hip-hop. On Amethyst Rock Star Williams exorcises urban music of its self-destructive excess, channeling its rowdy energy into a ritualized raising of consciousness. The single "Penny for a Thought" breaks into jacked-up breakbeats as Williams calls out those who sell their souls into artistic slavery for the same chump change paid to their chained ancestors. He makes like a soothsayer on "Robeson," reeling off a call for the heroic figures of the past to make their presence known in the future. Williams's singing voice is as robust as his words, soaring like a veteran rock croaker; on "Fearless" he attempts to dissolve the influence of an unnameable "she" on his psyche by spontaneously bursting into song. "Coded Language," a linguistic mantra first recorded for the DJ Krust album of the same name, makes a return appearance, sounding not a bit out of place with its warp-speed breaks and nitroglycerin orchestration. Saul breaks out on the epic closer, "Wine," a torch-burning call for collective empowerment that comes off like Purple Rain for the no-age generation. --Chris Campion

Customer Reviews:

Looking for Something Different.......2006-04-15

This man truly has a gift when it comes to word usage. Simply put, I love this CD. It comes off very different(I think thats why I like it so much). Something like a combination of Slam Poetry, Hip Hop, and Rock. If your growing tired of mainstream music and looking for something new, refreshing, and different... look no further.

Not a poetry album.......2006-03-27

This album, despite a lot of people talking about it as a poetry album, is most certainly not a poetry album. It's a hiphop album. Saul himself talks about "Rocking the party" in "1987", a track that leaps from chamber music beginning to electric guitar rock beats with big hihat and cymbal drumming throughout.

Of course, as Saul shows on "Coded Language", his style of "emceeing" is actually quite closer to the role of a traditional concert emcee than the modern hiphop "MC". In other words, he's often announcing, talking in an interesting manner, or yelling over the beats, as opposed to actually "rhyming" as an MC.

At the same time, it works. At other times it doesn't.

One frustration: you almost wish Williams would allow himself to be more of a musician at times and play WITH the band instead of treating it as his backing track and yelling over it all the time.

"Our Father", is a track of poetry (or a speech, really), set over top of music. The music itself seems to serve no purpose. Same goes for other tracks like "Penny for a Thought", more poetry over music with no relationship between the two.

In actuality, his best tracks are those that allow him to play *with* the band:

-"La, la, la", a short traditional-type rap track.
-"Om Nia Merican (I'm the American)" a rock song with ripping heavy guitar chords and slam poetry rockin' on top of it. Almost like something Rage Against the Machine would make, that one.
-When he sings, as on "Fearless", Williams something like a cooler freer version of Lenny Kravitz.
-Williams' poetry slamming down with respect for the drum track and his backing singer (the beautiful ethereal Canadian singer Esthero) on "Tao of Now"

These songs are much more visceral, there, present, pushing, natural-sounding... organic.

Overall, an album that struggles with definition and struggles often with defining itself.

Making Spoken Word Accessible.......2005-08-08

I'm not going to go into great detail although I am tempted to rebut the reviewer who tagged this album with 2 stars. That reviewer is obviously a pure hip-hop fan that is offended by Saul's challenging of the current state of rap and hip-hop music. This album has something for everyone...the rap fan, the rock fan, and the fan of poetry. I just can't believe it has been out this long and I never heard of it.

I happened to go see Saul at a multi-band concert this summer and was so impressd that I swore to buy an album. I thought it would be less impressive than his live performance, but it dramatically exceeded my expectations. Any album that can make pull out my Mars Volta CD has jolted itself to the heights of my playlist.

Probably closer to 4.75 stars.......2005-02-04

Dude from Columbus should have his top 1000 reviewer status stripped. He has no idea what he is talking about. First of all, considering that this an artistic project, I see nothing wrong expressing one's views even if they are didactic or pedantic. What is wrong with saying that the state of affairs have gone bitterly awry? Be honest with you, I angry with him. Secondly, this album has more than few shining moments. I think the entire album is a step above stellar. I beseech the reader to buy this album. This album is an interesting blend of contemporary poetry and hip hop. Like the Last Poets and Gil Scott Heron before him, Saul Williams lyrics have meaning. His use of profanity was a bit strong for me, but once again it is his perogative.

Lyrically wonderful.......2005-02-02

It's funny, because this album belongs to so many genres that i feel a more worldly person just even listening to it. Some songs have a rock feel, some have a more hip hop feel, but overall this CD is meant for those who would like to be enlightened... and go back and listen to it and realize that there is a whole array of verses that you completely missed. Saul's stuff is already being studied at high school and college levels, for a very good reason. It is one of the best albums I have heard in a very long time.

Average customer rating:

Response In a Form
an inspirational reflecive peice of our time

Not in My Name
Saul Williams
Manufacturer: Synchronic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Poetry | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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Saul Williams
List of Demands
The Seventh Octave - The Early Writings of Saul Stacy Williams
The Dead Emcee Scrolls: The Lost Teachings of Hip-Hop
Slam

ASIN: B00009IB43
Release Date: 2003-06-17

Tracks:

The Pledge (Live @ Central Park)
September 12th
Bloodletting
The Pledge Remix - DJ Goo
Not in Our Name Remix - DJ Spooky
The Pledge Ill Bootleg MP3 Remix - DJ Spooky
The Pledge Remix - Coldcut
Give Blood (Phantom Dancehall Mix) - DJ Spooky

Customer Reviews:

Response In a Form.......2004-03-21

This is a wonderful representation of the blending of Slam Poetry and Music for a common cause. It is also an accurate representation of why Saul Williams and Slam poetry should be added to the list for Contemporary American Literature. You can't get more contemporary than the issues addressed in this album. check out his website to hear samples and videos of the album www.notinournamemusic.com

an inspirational reflecive peice of our time.......2003-11-29

Thank you Saul Williams for this CD. This album is the modern answer to activist folk music of the 60s and 70s of which I am very fond. A hip-hop masterpiece which reflects the spectrum of imaginative words and beats that are more and more usually ignored in favor of trite and repetitive noises. This album brings tears to my eyes even months after I bought it as I shout along with Mr. Williams "Not in My Name!" This is a worthwhile purchase for the spoken word aficionado, hip-hop enthusiast, and the peace lover and activist inside of you.

Average customer rating:

Tickettyboo!
FINALLY!
merry andrew cd
Who Sings on the Merry Andrew recording

Merry Andrew

Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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The Great 3 CD's
A Jolly Theatrical Season
The Great Waltz (1965 Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Cast)
South Pacific (1967 Lincoln Center Cast)
The King and I (1964 Lincoln Center Cast)

ASIN: B000FUF6W2
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Tracks:

THE PIPES OF PAN
CHIN UP, STOUT FELLA
EVERYTHING IS TICKETTY BOO
YOU CANT ALWAYS HAVE WHAT YOU WANT
THE SQUARE OF THE HYPOTENUSE
SALUD (BUONA FORTUNA)
MEDLEY: THUNDER AND BLAZES / BILLBOARD MARCH
HIPPOTAMUS RAG
CIRCUS WALTZ
LASSUS TROMBONE
MINOR MARCH
BOZOS SONG (MARCH)

Customer Reviews:

Tickettyboo!.......2007-06-02

It took a lot of research to find out what film "Everything is Tickettyboo" came from -- "Merry Andrew" -- and I defy anyone not to be cheered by this song. It never fails to make me smile! I looked for it for years, and bought the CD on the strength of that song alone; however, the rest of the songs on the CD are pretty good too, as you might expect from Danny Kaye. I would really like to see the film. Any hope of a DVD?

FINALLY!.......2007-01-12

Love this CD and film. Also, if you like the music from the Larry Harmon BOZO cartoons...the Capital BOZO music is here!

merry andrew cd .......2007-01-11

THE CD IS JUST GREAT!! I WISH THE MOVIE WAS OUT. BUT BUYING CD WILL ADD GREAT
MOVIE SOUNDS. JOSEPH NAJARIAN

Who Sings on the Merry Andrew recording.......2006-08-24

Performers other than Danny Kaye are obviously singing on the new DRG CD release of the film musical Merry Andrew. It's fairly standard practice to indicate in the who sings each song and where songs are dubbed, to indicate who dubs for who. DRG has not bothered to do this for this recording. This is especially strange as DRG tends to cater to niche markets that are interested in vintage Broadway and Hollywood recordings. Can anyone provide me a complete list of musical numbers that identifies the performers for each song? Private responses to therson@twcny.rr.com would be most welcome.

Average customer rating:

Virtuoso Players Gild the Lilly
Keep looking - there is much better stuff than this
Diasppointed
This album is an absolute disaster
Take My Advice, I'm Only Tryin' to School Ya -

Bagpipes & Brass

Manufacturer: Klavier
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Highland Cathedral
Amazing Grace
Canadian Bagpipes American Brass
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Highland Cathedral

ASIN: B00005AAZ6
Release Date: 2000-10-01

Tracks:

Highland Cathedral
Scotland the Brave
Girl I Left Behind Me
Hector the Hero
Far and Away
Green Hills of Tyrol/When the Battle Is Over
Lament for Jef AR Oenven/An Dro
Murray's Fancy
I Love My Love
Cabar Feidh/Farewell to Nigg
Ye Banks and Braes O' Bonnie Doon
Henry the Fifth Overture
Amazing Grace

Customer Reviews:

Virtuoso Players Gild the Lilly.......2007-04-19

Reviewers who write that these are fine musicians playing lousy arrangements are correct. That's it exactly. The slower cuts are better than the up-tempo ones. Apparently this CD is a big hit with bagpipe tooters. So be it. The rest of us should pass it by or purchase it used.

Keep looking - there is much better stuff than this.......2005-10-05

This album is a perfect example of how a bad arrangement can ruin great music despite the best efforts of great musicians. Everything about this recording is right; selection, performers, sound engineering. Except that the tracks are horribly over-arranged with all sorts of distracting, subtracting variations and trite bridging passages.

Diasppointed.......2005-07-12

I am not saying the music is bad or the quality is lacking, because it is not. If you are looking for traditional music played in the traditional way, then this CD is not for you. It is like listening to everyone's interpretation when they sing the "Star Spangled Banner". There is no need to jazz things up that were not written to be. The titles are old but the variations on the score have a lot to be desired if you wanted to hear these songs played the way they were meant to be played.

This album is an absolute disaster.......2005-06-08

It's said that music soothes the savage beast, but bagpipes will do just the opposite. They will make the hair on your neck stand on end, your blood pressure go through the roof and prepare you to go to war. This album does neither.

The one piece which should most strongly produce the desired result is Scotland the Brave. In this album it is three minutes and twenty seven seconds, the first minute an ten of which are dedicated to fanfare. After that an orchestra plays some stylized version and, I think, I can detect a hint of bagpipes in there somewhere. When one has heard it done "correctly", one can recognize this as a total disaster.

Amazing Grace by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards has a version that is just about right. (And that selection gives one the ability to listen to a sample. I can see why this one doesn't!)

Take My Advice, I'm Only Tryin' to School Ya -.......2004-07-07

I bought this album based on the rave reports of the other reviewers, and could NOT be more pleased with the result. Although not Scottish, I am a long-time bagpipe lover, and this album evokes visions of the Black Watch and other highland pipers moving through their intricate paces. The music is an aural feast, and the sound quality is excellent. I keep it in the CD player in the car and find that a quick drive or a long commute both become pleasures when I'm listening to it. Take my advice - if you have even a slight interest in pipes, drums or brass, you're going to love this album. (This is the first time I have ever written a review; it's a very compelling album!)

Average customer rating:

List of Demands
Saul Williams
Manufacturer: Wichita
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Not in My Name
Saul Williams
The Dead Emcee Scrolls: The Lost Teachings of Hip-Hop
Slam
The Seventh Octave - The Early Writings of Saul Stacy Williams

ASIN: B0009JDC20
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Tracks:

Album Version
Kill Memory Crash Remix
Video
Remixed Video

Album Details

The most accessivle Saul material so far, a killer groove wrapped around piercing lyrics.

Average customer rating:

Saul Williams
Saul Williams
Manufacturer: V2
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Poetry | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0009H9YLU
Release Date: 2005-07-04

Album Description

Japanese edition of his 2005 album features two bonus tracks, 'List of Demands' (Reparations) (Kill Mercury Crash Remix) and 'Black Stacy' (Deadbeat's 'Black Arkification Remix). 14 tracks in all. V2. 2005.

Average customer rating:

Laudata

Manufacturer: Norway Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005QDAN
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Laudate Nomen Domini
Jeg Ser Deg, O Guds Lam A Sta
Salve Regina - Ola UstgardTrondheim Cathedral Chor/Oyvind Kare Pettersen/Bjorn Moe
Sing And Rejoice
Peace I Leave With You
Som En Brudgom Til Sin Hjertenskjaer
The Souls Of The Righteous - Jan Olav Vestavik/Espen Moe/Trondheim Cathedral Chor/Oyvind Kare Pettersen/Bjorn Moe
Magnificat And Nunc Dimittis
O Clap Your Hands
Saul - Espen Moe/Trondheim Cathedral Chor/Oyvind Kare Pettersen/Bjorn Moe
Evening Hymn
Heilig Ist Gott
Richte Mich Gott
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Greater Love Hath No Man

Average customer rating:

Not what he is capable of
Saul Williams is the greatest...besides Kool Keith...
sorry but i'm not impressed
honestly this brotha got it
A new twist to the everyday hip hop and it's about time

Amethyst Rock Star
Saul Williams
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Poetry | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Spoken Word | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005EBIP
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Tracks:

La La La
Penny for a Thought
Robeson
Tao of Now
Fearless
Untimely Meditations
Om Nia Merican
1987
Coded Language
Our Father
Wine

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The sheer force of Saul Williams's words puts to shame what most rappers dare to call poetry. It's hard to tell if rap fans will like Williams because while this slam poet is clearly a product of the hip-hop generation, his music is very uneasy listening. Imagine the brutal auditory assault that KRS-One can bring combusted with the imagination of Samuel Delany and political acumen of Amiri Baraka and you get a loose vision of what Williams is capable of. But to truly appreciate him, metaphoric platitudes fall short--simply witness his art. Amethyst Rockstar arms Williams with an electrified backing band capable of pumping out beats as frenetic as the poet's words, including a well-matched duet with DJ Krust on "Coded Language." Cuts like "Om Ni Merican" and "Penny for a Thought" leave lacerations in their wake as Williams pushes the limit of wordplay with cosmos-inspired allegories and machine-gunned verses. His big ideas may be too much for some to take in--clearly, Williams isn't aiming to appeal to the lowest common denominator--but channel surf across the 11 songs on Rockstar and each one has the potential to blow your mind. --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews:

Not what he is capable of.......2001-08-23

I have seen Saul Williams play live twice. Both shows rocked and were funky, trippy and mind-expanding. The use of the viola/violin at the shows provided the emotional thrust and the grooves were just funky. This album portrays little of that. Firstly, I don't understand why he decided to sing for this one. The songs just seem too hard rock and annoying, rather than funky filled trippiness, with mind-expanding lyrics. Some of the tracks are alright don't get me wrong, and the lyrical content is top-notch above anyone else. I enjoy his poetry a great deal, and I actually imitate him slightly in my poetry, but musically it didn't come through. I look forward to what comes out next, though.

Saul Williams is the greatest...besides Kool Keith..........2001-08-12

To the guy below me that said "enough about saturn..."-Saturn is the name of his daughter dummy. If you are a fan of life, or you aren't a fan of life, get this album. Get his books, get his movies. Your work is nice. J

sorry but i'm not impressed.......2001-07-04

ok most definitely, this cd is...okay. good even. saul williams is heavy on the mind and i respect him immensely as both a poet and a literary revolutionary. his gift for language and his vocal tone is impressive. i do have some major gripes though. for one, this album is chock-full of recycled saul williams poetry. as talented as he is he should have at least written more new material "Penny For A Thought" is strong both sonically and lyrically(and is a case in-point for a track with no re-used poetry), and i have appreciation for sarcasm in music, but i do have a problem with his line about Mumia Abu-Jamal's freedom and wonder what exactly he was meaning to say by that. i'll let that slide. the problems don't end there. for one: Saul, as a poet you are way ahead of the norm but PLEASE DO NOT SING! I IMPLORE YOU DO NOT SING! i mean, its as if he's attempting to do Jimi justice but it comes out painfully bad. anyone catch his performance on the chris rock show? absolutely shameful. again, DON'T SING. sometimes the music here leans a little to the Rage-ish side of the rock-rap spectrum, and when it does it becomes horribly primitive. the beats are usually solid but the music here needs a lot of work. personally, i would have loved to have found his excellent "Elohim" track on this, or maybe "Twice The First Time." having said that i don't understand why he'd leave those two experimentalist hip-hop treasures off of this album and yet leave on the old poetry put to music with different pacing. Saul has got plenty of skill, heart, and soul, and i do think he has the potential for releasing an impressive album, but sorry folks, this one is not it.

P.S. Saul, enough about saturn and the sun already...sorry had to say it.

honestly this brotha got it.......2001-07-03

i'm a big spokenn word fan and saul williams is the spoke person for this generation of poets. his insights and oversights are real and express the depth of what many view as urban poetry...they forget that the soul of man does not lie in his mansion but in the man himself. saul williams is a nice change to the mediocre and he is really bringing spoken word into the the public eye (an eye that is usually blind). if you diggin all this yo ya all need to peep this cat out he is mad ill....to the fullest extent of the word.

A new twist to the everyday hip hop and it's about time.......2001-06-30

No dout Saul Williams is the man for the job of bringing the truth to light. In his books he talk to us about Amythest Rocks, Ohm, Wind's Song to his last book which included a Cd of his readings. Saul Williams is living proof of Kahlil Gibran's quote " i am a poet who composes what the world prose's and prose's what the world composes " . This Cd is the beggining of a long line of Saul making his own unique style that is hard to follow but easily respected. No dout this Cd is a work of art.

Average customer rating:

genius of poetry

Amethyst Rock Star
Saul Williams
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Poetry | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005HWMN
Release Date: 2001-04-11

Tracks:

La La La
Penny For A Sort
Robeson
Tao Of Now
Fearless
Untimely Meditations
Om Ni Merican
1987
Coded Language
Our Father
Wine
Do You Know?
Fallin Tan (Bonus Track)

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

genius of poetry.......2003-04-06

I first heard of Saul Williams while watching HBO presents Def Poetry, and his name stuck in my head. Next, I heard his words on a Blackalicious track (Release) and I decided I couldn't go without hearing more. So I first went in search of his poetry, but instead found an album.
I have found quite a few good poets and rappers from watching Def Poetry, but Saul is the top of them all (which may be why they sample his tracks in all the segues in the show). He stuck out from the cream of the crop as diamond shines in the dirt. The amazing power behind his lyrics, all twisted with socio-political leanings, allow a new avenue into the underside of American society. Following in the footsteps of KRS-One, he gives a highly educated and intelligent veiw of our society that most people are afraid to even look at. The strings and deep base that go along with the 'rap' (poetry) fits perfectly, giving the feeling of a more stripped down, higher brow version of Rage Against the machine. A must have for any fan of 'underground' hiphop or fan of great lyrical art.

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