SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DIONNE WARWICK – SHE’S BACK

Dionne Warwick
She’s Back
Kind Music/Entertainment One

Grammy Award-winning music icon Dionne Warwick is back with a brand-new album, rightfully titled She’s Back. Fans of the R&B legend’s simple yet sophisticated storytelling and delicate delivery are likely very pleased to hear the 15-track album mark her return to the genre.

The album features collaborations with a diverse selection of artists and includes ten brand new tracks plus five reinterpretations of Warwick’s classics. As a bonus, it comes with a remastered version of Dionne sings Dionne, a previously released work of greatest hits.

It’s easy to understand how Warwick has attained legend status in the world of R&B when you hear timeless, iconic songs like “What the World Needs Now”. Luckily, the bonus CD is full of them. Although She’s Back has some interesting moments, the new material doesn’t resonate next to Warwick’s better-known tracks. As a result, the album as a whole falls a little flat.

She’s Back sees much of Warwick’s elegant emotional connection incorporated with a more calculated approach. The newly revamped version of her 1979 single “Déjà Vu”, featuring rap artist Krayzie Bone is one of the more worthwhile creations to come from this. It would have been interesting to see more experimentation like this on an otherwise unimaginative album.

Still, Warwick is one of the most successful female artists of all time and She’s Back is a competent old-fashioned r&b album that will connect with long time fans.

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