Product ReviewsBack to Basics by Christina Aguilera (CD, 2006)

It's good to have Christina back to basics!

"Back to Basics" is Christina Aguilera's long awaited third cd and fans will not be disappointed.This is a double disc release with just over 20 songs and a bonus video.Disc one provides some really great performances from Christina."Ain't no other man","Understand","On our way","Without you",and "Still Dirrty" are all potential hit-makers.The only track that was disappointing was the last one entitled "Thank You";because it is a bunch of voice messages to Christina from fans.It just wasn't necessary because everyone knows that she has millions of fans who loves everything about her...I know I'm one.As for disc two Christina is really having fun with these songs."Candy Man" has a great WW2 Swing feeling vibe to it."I got Trouble" is a fantastic blues number and "Nasty Naughty Boy" proves that Christina can be just as sexy with her voice as she is with her looks."Mercy on Me" and "Save me from Myself" are powerful vocal performances.The Cd booklet has alot of photos of Christina in dress up theme from the 20's and 30's era and she still remains to be hotter than ever.Bottom line is that "Back to Basics" is Christina's best artistic work thus far and if you are a fan than you'll will love this cd and if you are not a fan now is a good time to become one with this cd.Read full review...

BACK TO BASICS-Christina Aguilera CD

This is the first CD of Christina's that I've ever owned because up to this point, I didn't care for her choice of recording material. She has always posessed an incredible voice but until this CD, has chosen not to use it to her advantage. This CD is a milestone and turning point in her career. In the recording industry, there are artists with great voices, there are artists that can really sing well and then there are the very select few who can do both. You want examples? Mariah Carey has a fantastic voice but is a very poor singer. Melissa Ethridge has a so-so voice, but is a fantastic singer. To have an incredible voice and being able to sing well is a rare combination to find in todays world of music. Three names come to mind, Celine Dion, Pat Benatar and Sade. Christina is now ready to be included in world's best. Her intention for this CD was to record music she wanted to make and not what the label dictated. This was what it took to push her to elite status. Back To Basics is a collection of songs from all genres of music. A singer must costantly challenge themselves and strive to pursue the goal of releasing the talents and potentials that is still buried inside them. Sometimes all it takes is a different style of music or the knowledge that they're doing what's important to them. This is evident on disc 2 of this release. Christina reaches deep into her soul for emotion,power,and heart wrenching sincerity. The 2 tunes that stand out to me are "Hurt" and "Mercy On Me". Both songs show the effort and drive that have been trying to shine for a long while. Christina holds nothing back and blows you away with intensity and raw emotion that has been lacking in her previous efforts. Her recent tribute to James Brown on the Grammy's, shows more of the power and feeling that has been bottled up inside for a long time. You cannot listen to this twin disc release and not be overwhelmed by the absolute drive and determination that this woman draws upon. Enormous satisfaction is apparent in every selection. Fellow artist Jewel did this on her CD 0304, Leanne Rimes did it on Twisted Angel and now Christina Aguilera has done it with Back to Basics. The music ranges from uptempo dance, pop, rock, jazz blues and soooo much more. There is also video material to view as Christina explains her motivations and the process behind the making of this surperb collection. Of course these are all my personal opinions and I'm welcome to them. But I am confident you will appreciate this CD.Read full review...

the best singer ever

How refreshing to see someone as young as Christina paying respect and tribute to the soul/jazz/blues legends of yesteryear (even though she appears to be confused about the eras. Most of the songs has influences from the 50s, 60s, and 70s and not just the 20s, 30s, and 40s as she claimed). This confusion does not hurt the beauty of this cd. In fact, it allows Christina to offer something to everyone.

On Disc One, Christina joins forces with DJ Premier, Rich Harrison, Kwame, Mark Ronson, Charles Roane, Big Tank and Tony Reyes & Ben H. Allen for an exciting world of R&B, Soul, Hip Hop and some Blues. The songs are either uptempo or midtempo, but Christina commands every lyric and melody. From the churchy "Makes Me Wanna Pray" to the edgy "Here To Stay", Christina holds your attention. Even when she is all about "me" like on interludes F.U.S.S and Intro (Back to Basic), Christina comes across as being true with her emotions. The only song that suffers is "Thank You" which I find rather pointless.

On Disc Two, the show is all about Christina and Linda Perry (who is becoming one of the most important female writers/producers of all time). Songs like the Andrew Sisters-inspired "Candyman", the sexy "Nasty Naughty Boy, and the bluesy "I Got Trouble" are all throwbacks to another era of time. While songs like the pop ballad "Hurt" and the churchy "Mercy On Me" has a modern day twist. Christina really sells these songs but the biggest surprise is the sweet folky "Save Me From Myself" and the 50s pop style "The Right Man". In both songs, you can tell Christina is singing from the heart and to her new husband.

Disc One and Disc Two are actually two seperate albums because they are both very different in styles, but the quality of both cds are high level. The growth from the last cd is clear because the one thing I also noticed is while 'Stripped' concentrated on sound and structure, 'B2B' focus on songs and structures (two totally different concepts). This is also the cd in which Christina leaves behind Britney, Jessica, Lindsey and that crew and join Alicia and Beyonce as the most talented pop female artists of their generation. Wow! She has come a long way from her "Genie" days, let's hope she can continue to grow.

Highlights from the cd:
Back In the Day
Slow Down Baby
Without You
Still Dirrty
Candyman
Hurt
Mercy On Me
Save me From Myself
The Right Man

I have to say as well, that this woman has one of the best sounding voices of our time. She can carry changes like you wouldn't believe. Her stripped cd was very honest and left her open and bare, it truely bared her soul! This is no different. EXCELLENT. I am a true fan so my opinion is very one sided. I believe you will enjoy this cd, she has truely transformed into a woman!

-Brittany Luppy-Read full review...

Back to Basics - Christina Aguilera

This is an artist who takes risks in her material and is willing to try different styles and formats which keep her fresh while not being a slave to what others expect of her. Two discs can lead to unwanted fillers in spite of her voice and arrangements might be too much for some to like but her fans should be willing to go along for the ride. Others who came out with records about the same time as her have come and disappeared, but this is an attempt for longevity for her. If shortened down a bit ,it would be excellent but some of the songs drop it back a star.Read full review...

Less skin, Less attitude, more women

I am of course a HUGE fan of Christinas. But when I heard her frist single off of Back to Basics, I was scared. I didnt think it met up to her past songs. I didnt like it too much. I didnt think that it would do as good. Her style and image of course is totally different from her last album Stripped. She recently got married Nov 05. So I was hoping that this whole CD wouldnt be all Love songs. Ever changing Christina shocked me again. When I purchased this CD the day it came out I was amazed. Its not the Stripped Cd but its a new chapter in her life. I was happy because it was a 2 disc album and it has a behind the scenes footage on the second disc. She really gave her fans everything theyve been waiting for. A lot of great songs that I really like were: Back in the Day, Understand, Oh Mother, Still Dirrty, Here to Stay. Disc 2 Welcome, Candy Man, Nasty Naughty Boy, Hurt, Mercy on me, The right Man. Many ballads, beautiful songs, One Women, One Voice, Christina Aguilera. This CD is worth buying!Read full review...

Christina Aguilera, Back to Basics

This CD is a well written and performed compilation of songs. The photos in the jewel case are great examples of retro-style, as is the music. The quality of the production is excellent. It is a joy to experience the perfection that was put into the entire (double) CD.

Although I am in my 60s, I enjoy music from all eras. This CD covers two eras, one being the present, in the great voice of a young contemporary woman. The other is the retro style that the music represents.

My compliments to the writers, musicians, producer (Christina), and all of the technical people that were perfectionists in making this CD. While I enjoy all aspects of the CD, I appreciate the quality that was put into it, and there is a great deal of enjoyment in that alone.Read full review...

ONE word to describe, "WOW"

This girl can sing, and I rate her as the #1 Female Singer of all time. Move over Mariah, Christina is here! Everyone knows Christina has a voice, and I could not wait for her album to hit stores. I bought her 1st album, and it was AWESOME,she blew me away with her voice, not sure why it did not get enough recognition like it should have, but if you can BUY IT. Her voice on this new album is just so good. Her voice is clear, you can understand every word she is saying. She has a few blues songs on here that are great but love her gospel tracks on this album. This album has a mixture of different types of music such as, R&B, CLASSICAL BLUES, POP,. She has this one SEXY song on this album called "NASTY DIRTY BOY", great song to listen to with your mate. All I can say is this girl has the voice of the century.Read full review...

Most Excellent

This by far the best music I have listened to in a long time. Her voice is powerful yet beautiful. This CD has wonderful music and a lot of fun as well, it will truly touch your heart and soul.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

Christina in a class of her own! Britney outranked . .

This is an excellent cd! Christina is a top notch vocalist and right up there with the Mega stars like Whitney and Mariah. Britney has nothing on her, there is no real comparison since she is way above Britney as an artist, singer and songwriter and expecially where creativity is concerned! This album exemplifies this and has longevity and compaired to other artist who you hear today and by tomorrow you can't stand to hear their songs playing! I strongly dislike her abilities being compaired to that of Britney Spears who is way beneath he level of professionalism and amazing vocal talents. Beyond the bleach blonde hair they both had at the beginning of their careers the comparison stops there. This cd is definitely a PLUS to any music collectors collection. Overall GREAT sound, upbeat something to dance to, work along with, just good music! I am very pleased with this cd. I knew I would not be disappointed since all her previous cds where fanominal and her presence as a performer and entertainer only enhance her musical ability, creativity and talent.Read full review...

she's back to basics again!

Hi Christina fans,Just got her new cd back to basics,I'm 62 but just love this girls voice.However i do have mixed feeling about this cd,I think she tried to please everyone with a real mixture of songs.But i do have to say you can't help not to love her you can tell she really poured her heart out on every song she's one of best there is no doubt,I would have to rate this one as very good.No matter what your age, talent is talent,and she's got it all.!!!Read full review...