Track Listing

1. Penitentiary Philosophy
2. Didn't Cha Know
3. My Life
4. ... & On
5. Cleva
6. Hey Sugah
7. Booty
8. Kiss Me On My Neck
9. A.D. 2000
10. Orange Moon
11. In Love With You
12. Bag Lady
13. Time's A Wastin
14. Green Eyes

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2925 in Music
• Released on: 2000-11-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.com
A true tour de force, Mama's Gun is that rare sophomore album that shows a maturing artist at her best. Erykah Badu's voice was always her main attraction--its unique sound has been compared to Billie Holiday and Chaka Khan. Here, it's her skill with that voice that shines. Badu shapes her instrument to suit her material (all of it written or cowritten by her). A full range is represented: On faster, danceable tracks like "Penitentiary Philosophy" and "Booty," she sounds gritty and funky. On softer, more introspective tracks, like "A.D. 2000" and the single "Bag Lady," she shows amazing restraint, letting her voice travel lightly over the notes, allowing the songs' emotions to guide her performance. The high point of the disc is Badu's duet with Stephen Marley, "In Love with You," easily the sweetest, truest love song of the year. That alone is reason enough to buy the disc--and you won't regret having done so. --Courtney Kemp

Customer Reviews

IT'S THE SECOND HALF THAT MAKES THIS ALBUM...
Everyone I know warned me about 'Mama's Gun' - they told me to skip it. I listened to their warnings, but when I heard "Penitentiary Philosophy" I was sold. It's a rock track, with a 70s-ish Sly & the Family Stone/Zeppelin appeal, and it impressed me because it was different. That's what I wanted to hear...something different, so I bought it.

I'm glad I own it, especially because of the second half of 'Mama's Gun'. The best songs start with "Kiss Me On My Neck", a funky, self-confident jam in which Ms. Badu lays out her requirements for love. Then on "A.D. 2000" we get a real quaint, smoothed out, Stevie Wonder styled melody with an ever-so-subtle voice. Next we have "Orange Moon" (my favorite) and we get a perfect mix of jazz, soul, and R&B. "Orange Moon" sounds so sweet, soothing, and romantic - trust me. I'm listening to it right now...(how good it is, how, good it is...)

We then have singer Stephen Marley joining Ms. Badu for a soaring "I'm In Love With You" which is brilliant. The album version of "Bag Lady" is more musical, and her voice at the end of this song (if you really just let it sink in) is soul stirring...and then we get two more tracks, one of which is in three parts, called "Green Eyes" - and it ends the album perfectly.

So, you won't find "Rimshot" on here, or "Next Lifetime" (my favorite track off Baduizm - cuz it's so true...) but I still really enjoy this one. R&B music is really experiencing a great moment right now. If you like this I also recommend Musiq and of course, Ms. Jill Scott. If you can get into some more conventional R&B don't miss Dave Hollister either. Peace!

Yours,

Andrew Knyte

She's "Cleva"...
After the Multi-platinum, critically acclaimed Grammy success of "Baduizm" and the outstanding performance on "Live", Erykah Badu comes back with her sophomore (third album if you count "Baduizm: Live" as a "studio album") effort. Worth the wait, it seems that Ms. Badu has somehow advanced and matured further, almost giving off an organic vibe. But what exactly is "Mama's Gun"? Erykah Badu describes it as a "weapon", used against weak-will power, negative forces standing in the way, demons, & the ability not to forgive... Basically, when you think of "mama" you think of warmth and protection, and "gun" would be the object used to project.

The best tracks include her lead single "Bag Lady" which might not grab you in at first, but as you listen more, you'll realize how intelligent and straight from the soul it really is. It's one of those hypothetically metaphoric songs Erykah Badu has made so popular. It talks about a woman who got kicked out a relationship and how she has nothing "to hold on" anymore except for bags. "Bags" represent depression and the feeling of wanting the boyfriend back. Erykah Badu almost acts as the "spiritual grandmother", guiding and advising her to "let go of everything" (the "bags") and then proclaims, "All you need to do is hold on to yourself". Simple, yet it depicts such an uplifting message. Another standout track is "My Life", where she sings the line "no turning back". It has a catchy beat and also contains a sample taken from "Paul Revere" by: Beastie Boys. She talks about not giving up when times are hard. "Booty" is an intelligently clever & sexy song where Badu is saying she could get any man, but she "don't want them", and she does it without sounding arrogant. "Kiss Me On My Neck (Hesi)" has a very addictive chorus. The song is about her yearning for appreciation. "Cleva" is a song about materialism & appearance. She talks about how it doesn't matter how you look, but what you say.

So why 4 Stars? Well, one thing, not every song on the album is perfection. Although some of the tracks were really good, some of them just dragged on & on & on & on (No, not like a "rolling stone"). An example would be the intro, "penitentiary philosophy". It has a heavy rock & drums beat, which is fine, but you could barely hear what she's saying. The only thing you can probably make out is the first two lines, which is "Here is my philosophy, living in a penitentiary". Another problem I had was "Green Eyes". I know the song is suppose to be long since it mentions "movement I, II, III". Movement I is good, which is about denial. Movement II is the best, about acceptance. But movement III is a bit drag again. Also another minor problem is "A.D. 2000". It has a nice beat, but the problem I have is the constant yearning of "love me" written all over the lyrics. The song is about being forgotten. But there is something wrong with artists constantly saying, "don't forget me"...

But I'll stop whining. Overall, I love this album. Lyrics are what keep me listening to this album since I like the various subject and words she uses to get through her point. I also enjoy how soulful this album is. It's one of those album you can listen to while just sitting around and reading (well, once you get past the intro "Penitentiary Philosophy", it can be distracting, both in a good & bad way). "Time's a wastin" if you didn't cop this album yet...

How Good It Is!
Eryka (and Kedar) have done it again! Guest appearances include Ahmir Thompson, Ron Hargrove ans Roy Ayers. Steven Marley is melodic on "In Love With You" where he and Erykah go back and forth describing love at its best (lion to lioness). "Orange Moon" is by far one of the best tracks, very mellow and laid back as it appears to describe her sun (son). "Cleva" is a tight bass-heavy jam. "Bag Lady" is a different version than what has been cranked out on the airwaves - a little slower but serves the same message. "Didn't Cha Know" is so very fly-only takes one listen to love this groove. Eryka mixes melody, R&B, jazz, funk & straight blues all together which brings this follow-up album to the forefront of soulful music. Serious airplay needs to be devoted to "Green-Eyes" where Badu describes the little green monster in all of us and how she copes with it. The music is great. "Booty" describes another womans' man that desires her but the feeling is not mutual. There is a great flute player on serval pieces of this project and they deserve some serious credit. This is a must have in any collection and previous fans will appreciate all that it offers.