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Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2 | 
| Artist: Jill Scott
Label: Hidden Beach
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy New: $5.49
You Save: $8.49 (61%)
New (44) Used (25) Collectible (1) from $4.66
Rating:  281 reviews
Sales Rank: 1979
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 92773
UPC: 827969277324
EAN: 0827969277324
ASIN: B0002S94RK
Release Date: August 31, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Buy With Confidence
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| Tracks:
| • | Warm Up | | • | I'm Not Afraid | | • | Golden | | • | The Fact Is (I Need You) | | • | Spring Summer Feeling | | • | Cross My Mind | | • | Bedda At Home | | • | Talk To Me | | • | Family Reunion | | • | Can't Explain (42nd Street Happenstance) | | • | Whatever | | • | Not Like Crazy | | • | Nothing (Interlude) | | • | Rasool | | • | My Petition | | • | I Keep |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
While most neo-soulsters crank out albums like their hip-hop counterparts, Jill Scott takes a more traditional approach to her craft. Four years after the release of her debut, Who Is Jill Scott, Words & Sounds Vol. 1, Scott returns with the masterful Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol. 2. The album features a collection of lush and hypnotic songs that will make you want to fall in love, live life, and be a better person all at the same time. Lead single "Golden" is a prime example of this. Set to a midtempo groove made for the dance floor, "Golden" is a shiny, beautifully-written narrative about living life to its fullest. The old-school R&B ballad vibe of "Petition" is reminiscent of Minnie Ripperton or early Chaka Khan. However, "Bedda at Home" is anything but laid back. Combining elements of jazz, soul, and old-school hip-hop breakbeats, Scott extols the greatness of her man with a swagger that can only be described as cool. Other highlights include "Family Reunion" and the socially conscious "Rasool." The album's only flaw may be that it ends too soon, but then again it's always better to leave a listener wanting more. For Scott, being "Beautifully Human" means just that--finding the allure in all that life has to offer and that's well worth the wait. --Rashaun Hall
Album Description
European pressing of the neo-soul singer/songwriter's 2004 album includes one bonus track 'Bedda at Home' (Acoustic). 17 tracks in total. Epic.
Album Details
European Edition of the Neo-soul Diva's Second Studio Album that Arrived Four Long Years after her Debut that Includes a Bonus Track, an Acoustic Version of "Bedda at Home".
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| Customer Reviews: Read 276 more reviews...
 Whew.. September 16, 2004
Simone Lauderdale (Maryland, USA)
74 out of 96 found this review helpful
I was beginning to get a little worried when I first bought this c.d. and then checked Amazon the next day to look at the reviews. Everyone thought that the album was "phenomenal" and some where left "speechless", and I was beginning to think that there was something wrong with me. I have of late however noticed some more, shall I say "honest" reviews, and feel a bit more relieved. I think part of the problem is Jill's both inner and outer beauty. As an African-American woman I respect Jill's positively and the way in which she displays herself in today's music game. She never attempts to try to sell her sexuality, like so many of today's popular artists do. She exudes a sort of confident exuberance, in her smile there is so much happiness and she honestly just makes you feel good after seeing or hearing her. For these reasons, it may have been hard for many people to separate Jill the artist and person, from her latest piece of work. If W & S 1 can be described as daytime, with all of its vibrancy, bright pops of sunshine, activity, and excitement, W & S 2 would have to be the nighttime, a smooth mellow album, devoid of the activity, power, and intensity which we have come to know from Jill's music. The songs on this album lack the distinctiveness of her former work, they simply seem to melt into one another with the same similar sound. Not to say that this sound is bad! This is Jill Scott after all. There is however, just something missing. I have a hard time seeing how this album could produce the same type of high powered and energetic concert album as her first c.d. did. This album does shine on tracks 3, 4, 6, 7 (very good), 8, 12 (another very good song), and 15 (maybe the best on album). If you are a Jill Scott fan, I would encourage you to purchase this album, but I doubt that this will be the one to convert the non-believers. By the way, you really should check out Lizz Wrigt's album "Salt" and Van Hunt's self titled album. These guys are keeping me company more than Jill right now!
 A Superb Sophomore Set - Jill Is On Fire, Baby! October 16, 2004
Busy Body (London, England)
54 out of 59 found this review helpful
I'm a latecomer to the genius that is Jill Scott, first and foremost. After buying her modern classic debut album "Who Is Jill Scott? Words And Sounds Vol. 1" in August 2004, I learnt about her second album, which was released the following week. I instantly knew that it was a must-have. I needed that album, and nothing was going to stop me from getting it. As I promised myself, I bought her second album about two weeks ago, and while not as stunning as her debut, it is still an extremely enjoyable and brilliantly produced follow-up.
That second album is "Beautifully Human: Words And Sounds Vol. 2" and crashed into the Billboard charts at No.3. In the UK the album hasn't really made an impact, but that is due to lack of single releases and just society's ignorance to truly amazing soul/R'n'B music - they'd rather go for Usher or 50 Cent, for some stupid reason! It's been four years since Jill wowed the world with her debut album, and Beautifully Human has been a long time coming, but it's finally here, and it was definitely worth the wait for her millions of adoring fans.
Beautifully Human opens with "Warm Up," which is a short interlude featuring a clip of "He Loves Me" from her debut. Heard over the 'radio' it sounds positively haunting, before leading onto the gorgeous "I'm Not Afraid." This song has a hypnotic and seductive beat and sultry, confident lyrics about not being afraid to be a man's everything. "Golden" is the album's first single, and whilst commercial and repetitive, the message is one of positive empowerment - a real feel-good anthem that I'm sure everyone can relate to. "The Fact Is (I Need You)" is a bit slower than the past couple of songs, and Jill really chills the listener out with her "Do do do do, do do" chanting. The beat is absolutely beautiful and Jill's vocals absolutely stunning. Her rap midway through is the highlight. "Spring Summer Feeling" has a charming beat and the percussion work wonders with Jill's soft vocals. Her "tweet tweet!" chants at the end are loveable and enticing.
"Cross My Mind" is a really soulful and relaxing ballad, with many spoken sections that evolve into singing seamlessly while the piano provides the soul in copious amounts. After the chill-out section the album picks up with the stunning "Bedda At Home." Jill's vocals on this song are unbelievable and the old-school beat highlights this. The woman is high on love and nothing is gonna bring her down! Her screeching and whooping in the last minute of the song have to be one of the highlights of the entire album. "Talk To Me" slows the pace down a bit as Jill sings about her lover who bottles things up. She wants him to talk to her, but she doesn't demand it, she does it in a more compromising way which is much more happy and tuneful. "Family Reunion" is definitely an album highlight because it's a song you will definitely not forget! The strings in the background really make this song amazing and very sleek as Jill sings about a family reunion and how she feels so much at home in their company. The family banter and hollering in the background add the atmosphere, and the chorus has such a sing-a-long feel to it. Pure, undiluted happiness!
"Can't Explain (42nd Street Happenstance)" continues the pure beauty of the album. I'm finding it hard to describe this song as I listen to it, because it just captures everything so beautifully. Just listen to it yourself and you'll understand me. "Whatever" has a very sexy intro that melts like chocolate as Jill sings about an amazing night with her lover. She isn't afraid to go into detail, and by this we are not disturbed, but raised in our spirits by her confidence and positive attitude. It's like a mix of "Exclusively" and "Honey Molasses" from her debut! "Not Like Crazy" sees Jill crazy in love, despite what she might say, with church bells chiming for a small section of the song! "Nothing (Interlude)" is another beautifully sexy short interlude where Jill sings of nothing is more beautiful than making love to her man. "Rasool" is a socially conscious song where Jill sings the story of a man named Rasool, whilst her voice fills with emotion, rising in time with the beat and intensity of the song. "My Petition" sees Jill singing about the US presidential govermenment, and how they constantly lie to her and cover things up. Some people thinks this is the best song on the album, but whilst I agree with the subject matter, it's not my favourite. "I Keep/Still Here" closes the album, and opens with a beautiful and hypnotic sound that is very vivid, creating images of desert islands baking in the sun. Okay, so the song's subject doesn't have anything to do with desert islands, but that's the kind of imagery it evokes for me!
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
Jill Scott has gone on to become a legend with this second album. She could never release another album and she will be forever remembered in the school of soul/R'n'B. Once you take the CD out of its case, you'll see a long letter written by Steve McKeever (Hidden Beach records executive) who proudly boasts and presents this new album to the listener. This confidence he feels is real, and that is because Jill's talent is raw and beautiful. The cover of the CD features a childhood picture of Jill. She looks so cute, but I fear this might be because she is not too confident about her appearance that she could be on the front of her album (her debut only featured her lips/nose). I've read about this in interviews, but Jill has nothing to worry about. She is an absolutely gorgeous woman! The picture on the inlay of her with an orange top on is stunning, she has nothing to be afraid of! This album is a masterpiece, buy it now.
 I "Can't Explain" How She Does It... (4.5 Stars) September 2, 2004
Andrew Jacob (Brooklyn, New York)
43 out of 43 found this review helpful
Four years after the classic "Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds, Volume 1", Jill Scott comes back with an outstandingly exceptional album that surpasses all of my expectations. A lot has happened in those four years, most notably, Jill Scott getting married to Lyzel (You're reminded of it in the intro "Warm Up", when the ending of "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)" is played). "Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Volume 2" is full of lush, hypnotic, and intriguing melodies, once again fusing R&B with Jazz effortlessly. While the album might not be as instantly intriguing as songs on the debut, it is equally compelling. Highlights include the self-empowering lead single "Golden", the bass heavy "I'm Not Afraid", the hip-hop vibe of "Bedda at Home", the self-realization of sorrow in "Can't Explain", the soothing feel of "My Petition", the addictive riff of "The Fact Is (I Need You)", the bonus track "I Am Here", and the best song on the album, the smooth sensualistic ballad "Cross My Mind". The only minor complaint I have is the track "Rasool", which sounds like an obligatory filler and also breaks the "laid back-groove" feeling. But as a whole album, I could not have asked for anymore. With this sophomore album, Jill Scott furthermore establishes herself as a true artist that is both consistent and beyond her contemporaries.
Average. It could have been better. September 22, 2004
Imago (Queens, New York City)
12 out of 21 found this review helpful
This is one of the most disappointing albums i've heard in a while. After the hype and expectations that followed upon the release, Jill has fallen short of her cleaver style of song and poetry, and churned out a lukewarm product.
First the good points: Jill expresses her love for her husband with honesty and explicit imagination. It's refreshing to hear a woman of my culture tell other women that it's okay to let thier man be the kind of the castle. Let a man be a man, and love him for who he is. And never say that you don't need a man in your life because it's not true. Everyone needs someone to love. ...with those words of wisdom, I sincerely do hope many women will take heed to it and make it a little easier for us men to love and share love with them.
The Bad Points: ...the album still falls short of what it could have been. Jill weighs far too much empahsis on her relationship with her husband to the point where i almost threw up on myself. Yeah, sure...it's all nice and dandy to hear such joy and happiness in her songs. But I spent $11.99 to nod my head, and to simply be entertained. Not to hear Jill talk about how she liked getting laid in different positions by her man and memories of sleeping with her ex's for an hour. That is what her girlfriends and a therapist is for.
Honestly, I expected something better than her masterpiece, Words and Sounds Vol.1. Instead....i was let down.
The music is also questionably scaled down from Vol.1. There is not an ounce of genuine emotion in any of the music. Much of it sounds watered down and in some instances, filler. Although she did say that during her recording of Beautifully Human, more than 40 tracks were completed, too bad she didn't pick a better batch to release.
Overall, it's a decent album....but occasionally boring as hell.
People will say that Jill shouldn't be criticized for putting out an album that SHE wanted to make.
I say... just because she made the album HER way, doesn't necessarily make it a good one.
Golden October 9, 2004
MICHAEL ACUNA (Southern California United States)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
"Beautifully Human" is an apt expression for the vocal instrument that is Jill Scott's. In the tradition of singers as diverse as Roberta Flack, Beverly Sills or Lauryn Hill, Scott's voice is gorgeous, pliant and humanly human: strong, varied, sounding not like an trumpet or a saxophone, but like something emanating from the human voice box. She can sing loud, soft and in-between. Her voice is bold, big and beautiful. She is not a whispery wood nymph but a Wagnerian heroine: the Hip Hop Isolda.
Though she sings in the Hip/Hop/Nu-Soul tradition, Scott has always reminded me of the singers from the 40's and 50's like Billy Holliday (listen to "Can't Explain" on this CD) and Sarah Vaughn (if she were alive today I can hear Sarah singing "Golden"). Scott is more Holiday and Vaughn than she is Aretha; though she is very much of Today.
The songs on "Beautifully Human" are her best work since "Who is Jill Scott?" Her second CD, "Experience: Jill Scott" was Scott sowing her wild oats, though the studio stuff is first rate.
"Golden" is audacious, subtle, vocally pure and sexy with the charts and vocal arrangement as good as anything that Alicia Keys has put out. Both Keys and Scott share a love of 70's style songs ("Family Reunion") but haven't we had enough of the faked scratchy LP sound? I think so.
"Cross My Mind" is quite beautiful with the theme of a past love reawakened by the aroma of his cologne wafting by: "You sure did smell good."
"Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds II" is a love song to the talent of Jill Scott and a tribute to a woman whose shining and bright being cannot but emerge and imbue all of her music with the incandescent and transcendent beauty of her soul and heart.
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