"Calling You" is the OST of the film Bagdad Cafe.
I had no intention to write a film review for Bagdad Cafe! When I started off the music review of "Calling You", I thought of writing a word or two on the film which would aid the readers to get the clearer picture on the lyrics and theme of the song better, but it eventually became many paragraphs, :P so I decided to post both as separate posts. You may read the film review here.
Jevetta Steele
This Academy Award nominated song was originally sung by Jevetta Steele as a film soundtrack; written and composed by Bob Telson.
Softly beginning, Jevetta eloquently reaches crescendo and seamlessly to decrescendo throughout the song without breaking the prevailing solitude. The little known Black singer perfectly brings out the-lonely-seedy-motel-somewhere-in-the-desert atmosphere through her voice.
Numerous covers have been released by many artists. Of those, here is a notable few.
Céline Dion
Being a star, she brought much more international attention to the song by performing it in the Paris live concert. With her wonderful falsetto singing ability, she actually over-dramatises the song, so it seems a bit inapt contrasting the simple lyrics. One may prefer this version if it's heard irrespective of the lyrics or the film.
Jeff Buckley
Unlike others, Jeff Buckley presents us the guitar version. He is famed for his skill in singing falsetto and he utilizes it well here.
George Michael
He could be stated as the best male rendition of the song. He has that amazing raw masculine voice matching female voice of Jevetta Steele. He employs a female singer to sing high notes, differing from the usual solo singing norm others' does for "Calling You". The female singer who performs the high notes sounds like a distant voice.
Barbra Streisand
Her rendition is stylishly elegant but misses out the pulse of the film.
No matter whoever sang it, it sounds good because of the song's mesmerising rhythm. Thanks to Bob Telson! And only Jevetta soulful voice brings out the memoirs of 'Bagdad Cafe' when we hear it.
I had no intention to write a film review for Bagdad Cafe! When I started off the music review of "Calling You", I thought of writing a word or two on the film which would aid the readers to get the clearer picture on the lyrics and theme of the song better, but it eventually became many paragraphs, :P so I decided to post both as separate posts. You may read the film review here.
Jevetta Steele
This Academy Award nominated song was originally sung by Jevetta Steele as a film soundtrack; written and composed by Bob Telson.
Softly beginning, Jevetta eloquently reaches crescendo and seamlessly to decrescendo throughout the song without breaking the prevailing solitude. The little known Black singer perfectly brings out the-lonely-seedy-motel-somewhere-in-the-desert atmosphere through her voice.
Numerous covers have been released by many artists. Of those, here is a notable few.
Céline Dion
Being a star, she brought much more international attention to the song by performing it in the Paris live concert. With her wonderful falsetto singing ability, she actually over-dramatises the song, so it seems a bit inapt contrasting the simple lyrics. One may prefer this version if it's heard irrespective of the lyrics or the film.
Jeff Buckley
Unlike others, Jeff Buckley presents us the guitar version. He is famed for his skill in singing falsetto and he utilizes it well here.
George Michael
He could be stated as the best male rendition of the song. He has that amazing raw masculine voice matching female voice of Jevetta Steele. He employs a female singer to sing high notes, differing from the usual solo singing norm others' does for "Calling You". The female singer who performs the high notes sounds like a distant voice.
Barbra Streisand
Her rendition is stylishly elegant but misses out the pulse of the film.
No matter whoever sang it, it sounds good because of the song's mesmerising rhythm. Thanks to Bob Telson! And only Jevetta soulful voice brings out the memoirs of 'Bagdad Cafe' when we hear it.
