Track Listing

1. Quiet Storm
2. Agony and the Ecstasy
3. Baby That's Backatcha
4. Wedding Song
5. Happy (Love Theme from Lady Sings the Blues)
6. Love Letters
7. Coincidentally

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #72883 in Music
• Released on: 1991-12-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Customer Reviews

Soft and Warm...
Smokey Robinson should be considered a National Treasure, or at least, a natural resource. His skills as a songwriter are paralleled by only the best in pop history (like Lennon & McCartney or Holland-Dozier-Holland). Imagine yourself not hearing "Shop Around," "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "My Girl," or "My Guy" on oldies radio! Smokey racked up these credits and dozens more while still the leader of The Miracles. After launching his solo career in 1972, Robinson released two lps ("Smokey" and "Pure Smokey") that got his feet wet. Then came this blockbuster! Smokey was inspired by the concept albums his labelmates Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye were doing about this time (1975). Smokey had been known to appeal to the younger crowd both as a writer and performer, but one listen to "A Quiet Storm" confirmed that this one was directed to the adults in the audience; the grown-ups. And the album was so successful that it started a whole new radio format. Yes, Smokey Robinson is to blame for the "Quiet Storm" programs that take over Black/urban radio after 10 p.m.! The title cut really sets the mood: it is jazzy, sensuous, soulful, soft and warm. Its throbbing bass line and eerie moog effects help to make it a perfect track for that special time of evening. A wind-blowing (or perhaps mind-blowing) sound effect leads to the next cut, and all others on the album, giving it a sense of unity. That next cut, "The Agony and The Ecstasy," is a much-beloved song, especially amongst his myriad female fans at live shows. The major chart success of the set was "Baby That's Backatcha," which rose to #1 on the U.S. R&B chart. "Wedding Song" was written for the wedding of Hazel Gordy and Jermaine Jackson, and was included here only at their request. It is a perfect fit for the album, as is "Happy," the love theme from "Lady Sings The Blues," which was also a minor hit for Michael Jackson. The unknown gem of the set is the drivingly funky, "Love Letters," with its clever lyric and humorous but tragic theme. The last song, "Coincidently," is almost TOO clever. But it seems out of place here. Maybe it would have gone better on the next album, "Smokey's Family Robinson," but its inclusion here really doesn't mar the final product. Smokey went on to have a lot more success as a singer in the pop marketplace. But this album is his masterpiece. If you want to check out Smokey's recent work, "Double Good Everything" contains some of his best songwriting in years, and his latest lp, "Intimate," actually takes Smokey in the hip-hop direction.

Quiet Storm
I was 16 when this album came out, I would just play the "Quiet Storm" side over and over (and over) again. As with most of the reviewers have stated, William "Smokey" Robinson has got to be one of the most underrated Songwriters/Singer's on the planet. As on this collection of songs, Smokey runs the vibe hot, warm and cool (note that I never said "cold!") That, if possible is a description of the album "Quiet Storm." Five stars!

One of the best albums of 1975
Smokey's voice is incredibly romantic, sexy and sensual. The songs on this CD are equivalent to a lovely, breezy spring day and the music is danceable, funky, sensual and soothing. This is Smokey at his absolute finest-he never fails to satisfy.

My personal favorites on this CD are Quiet Storm, Baby That's Backatcha, Love Letters, and Coincidentally. Actually, the entire CD is excellent, regardless. Buy this CD-you will NOT be disappointed!!