Sharon Robinson - Caffeine
by Anthony Strutt
published: 8 / 6 / 2015

Label:
Freeworld Records
Format: CD
intro
Fabulous soul and jazz-tinged second solo album from long-term Leonard Cohen cohort, Sharon Robinson
'Caffeine' is Sharon Robinson's second solo album. She is a classically-trained pianist whom is best known for her association with Leonard Cohen, but she also won a Grammy for her song 'New Attitude', which was used in the film 'Beverly Hills Cop'. She started worked with Cohen on tour back in 1979, and they have since co-written a number of songs together. In 2001, she wrote all the music for as well as performed on most of the Cohen album, 'Ten New Songs'. 'Caffeine' retains the beauty of her 2008 first solo album, 'Everybody Knows'. It opens with 'The Harder You Look for Love', which is as smooth as Sade and has a similar soul/funk edge. Her words flow gently but still deliver their message. 'Strong for Me' starts off in the style of the Beatles' 'Let It Be', and becomes increasingly more heartfelt and warm. 'Lucky', the only co-write here with Cohen, is a spiritual, upbeat number. 'Driftwood', a lonesome track, swims along beautifully and is guaranteed to get its listener bopping gently to it. The title track, 'Caffeine', again finds Sharon in Sade territory, and is a soft, jazz-influenced, late night piano number. 'Safe' is very slow and elegant. A solo trumpet and gospel backing add to its delicate flavour. 'The Storm in Your Eyes' has a swaying funkiness to it. Sharon tells her story on it very well. 'One More Song' is as doom-ridden as Nick Cave, and both sad and sorrowful. 'Along for the Ride' glides along seductively, and 'A Fragile Love' ends the album on another soft note. A fabulous album.
Track Listing:-
1 The Harder You Look for Love2 Strong for Me
3 Lucky
4 Driftwood
5 Caffeine
6 Safe
7 The Storm In Your Eyes
8 One More Song
9 Along for the Ride
10 A Fragile Love
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/sharonrobinsonmusichttps://twitter.com/sharonrobinsong
soundcloud
reviews |
EP1 (2016) |
![]() |
Inventive collection of covers in first in a new series of EPs from American singer, Sharon Robinson |
Everybody Knows (2008) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Spear Of Destiny - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pistol Daisys - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Gary Numan - Berserker
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Roberta Flack - 1937 - 2025
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Little Simz - Lotus
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart