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The Art of Tea | 
 enlarge | Artist: Michael Franks
Label: Reprise / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy Used: $4.00
You Save: $7.98 (67%)
New (10) Used (22) Collectible (3) from $4.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 15360
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 2230
UPC: 075992722421
EAN: 0075992722421
ASIN: B000002KCF
Release Date: October 25, 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: EXCELLENT CD * FREE UPGRADE TO EXPEDITED SHIPPING * INTERNATIONAL ORDERS SHIP AIRMAIL * FROM A LARGE WELL CARED FOR PRIVATE COLLECTION * A GREAT CD TO ADD TO YOUR OWN COLLECTION * CHECK OUT MY OTHER ITEMS ON AMAZON * { 7 }e
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| Tracks:
| • | Nightmoves | | • | Eggplant | | • | Monkey See-Monkey Do | | • | St. Elmo's Fire | | • | I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad | | • | Jive | | • | Popsicle Toes | | • | Sometimes I Just Forget to Smile | | • | Mr. Blue |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...
Excellent Vocal Jazz October 31, 2007
Michael Franks really proves right from the start that he is a sophisticated and unique voice in music. His lyrics are cynical, risque, and smart. Brilliant songwriting and the ace sidemen of the Jazz Crusaders group help make this a solid album from beginning to end. A must-have for jazz vocal aficionados.
Music For the Soul Who Is Learning to Fly May 18, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Michael Franks was first introduced to me in 1986 by my girlfriend at the time. I immediately took to his style; cool, hip, understated, and yet incredibly powerful...just the way "true jazz" should be.
When I broke up with that girl, I felt as though my world was split in two. I would look at the things she left in my possession; a hairpin, a bracelet, and a copy of Michael Franks, "The Art of Tea". I'd look at the cover of that record (yes, vinyl) and it would almost mock me. I couldn't bring myself to listen to it because everytime I heard it, I thought of "that beautiful girl in my throw-away world"...such are the dramatics of a 21 year old without much life experience under his belt.
I have learned the "art of forgiveness" through the "Art of Tea". Yeah, there were times where I'd just to "forget to smile" but the more I listened to it, the more I began to realize what the true gift of my relationship was with that girl. She came into my life at just the right time to learn how to appreciate all of life...not just the good moments...not just the beautiful moments...but the sad and tragic moments, as well. And that's what I really hear Michael Franks singing about.
Yeah, life is dramatic but it doesn't mean we have to be involved with "cheap drama". We can learn to embrace the highs as well as the lows and you can if you make this recording one of the soundtracks to your life.
Know that you are a beautiful blessing.
The Sound of A Legend October 6, 2004
10 out of 14 found this review helpful
Why this music never really took off is beyond me. Sure I HATED it the first time I played it. The copy I had borrowed was ancient... A CD that probably cost over $30 when originally purchased, that had the smooth top and bottom as opposed to the ridged one, the CD, all metal, and no barcode whatsoever, made the packaging look completely different than that of now. It was sort of bewildering, seeing as at the time I was only 14. A year passed, and a friend of mine's father had passed away. He burned virtually every CD he had ever owned, which was most likely thousands. I took most if not all of his copied inventory...idiot me, there had to be hundreds more that i could have savored. But in the fold,I got Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, Led Zeppelin I, Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales, and by mistake, Michael Franks' Art of Tea. I remembered the old musty CD I had borrowed, which had fascinated, and bewildered me. I reluctantly slid it into the DVD player. It came to life, and I didn't get the same feeling. The feeling was something of a wash, in warm chords and vocals. Not to mention Claus Ogerman strings. Was I ever impressed. The song?? Nightmoves. It had the sound of a late night jazz club, filled with smoke and mirrors. It made me sit at attention, hungry for more. It faded, and I felt the urge to repeat it, only to let it run, into the humorous and sexy Eggplant. I just kept on listening, and more and more i was affected. The one that stood out from the crowd, was "St. Elmo's Fire" I loved the title and the beautiful time changes, and string arrangements. The song is of a young couple thinking of getting together, amid a box of weed, and a rocky past relationship. I loved hearing it and knew the feeling, a few years later. This CD served as a piece in the soundtrack to my growing up. This soundtrack is peppered with all types of music. The fun part of this soundtrack is that now at 18, I find myself coming back more and more and just being floored by what touched me so deeply in my teenaged years. To find Mr. Franks, in there not once but 3 or 4 times, is a very reassuring thing, seeing as his music struck a chord by being quirky and different. His vocals, wry and playful. His piano and guitar, sweeping and simple. The music is still so great and makes me look to the future as a bright and interesting thing. Thanks to the Art of Tea, i know the legend that is Michael Franks
the real thing. September 12, 2004
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
this lasts. I listened to it nonstop when it came out - the 70's? - and it remained a fond memory, tucked away. a few years ago I picked up the CD and BOOM! top of the charts, all over again. Worth savoring again and again.
Flawless, and still fresh! June 19, 2004
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I first heard this album at the restaurant where I work. The owner was playing the CD over our PA system. I was impressed but apprehensive to say that I liked it. To me it sounded like a young guy doing a 70's retro album today because the way this album is recorded sounds so fresh. When I learned the background of this album, I let myself fall in love with it. It's an amazing album with amazing lyrics and even better music. It's a great listen from start to finish and should be in every album collection.
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