Product Description

With ten UK top ten hits, two Brit awards and an American Music award to her name, 'Play To Win' is the fourth album byUK soul diva Gabrielle. The album is a mix of contemporary pop, soul, and even country and features the single 'Stay The Same'.

Track Listing

1. Ten Years Time
2. Sometimes
3. Stay The Same
4. You Used To Love Me
5. Play To Win
6. No Big Deal
7. Latchkey Kid
8. Fallen Angel
9. Give and Take
10. War of Two Minds
11. Picking Up The Pieces
12. Tumbling Down

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27718 in Music
• Released on: 2004-05-17
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Gabrielle's output has never been prolific but it's always been understood that when she does release something, it'll be a gem. Sadly there is nothing on Play to Win that could compete with songs such as "Give Me a Little More Time" or "Dreams". Less soulful than the usual fare, this album brings Gabrielle's ability as a songwriter to the fore and exposes her talent for personal, introspective lyrics. However, the thoughtful (if not always catchy) songs are bogged down with typically bland and thoughtless arrangements. Acoustic guitar, piano and slide guitar plod along though the first few songs, hovering on the fine line between pleasant easy-listening and apathetic tedium.

That is not to say it's all bad--on "Sometimes" a catchy chorus starts to emerge as it does on the title track and gives the proceedings a gentle lift. A standout is "Latchkey Kid", which sounds heavily influenced by Tracy Chapman but is more akin to the Gabrielle of old. "War of Two Minds" is more soulful than folksy and begins well with Gabrielle using a greater range in her voice, yet it loses its charm when the band kicks in. Play to Win is good in the sense that it's new material from one of the UK's most successful female performers but it's unlikely to be considered one of Gabrielle's finer moments. --David Trueman

Album Description
Gabrielle cowrote all the tracks on Play to Win, her fourth studio album, and brings her own experiences of the complexity of life and relationships to each track--something that both new and old Gabrielle fans everywhere will connect with. Play To Win includes the single "Stay the Same".

Customer Reviews

AMAZING!!!!
gabrielles latest album to date is probably her best to date...hard to say when the rest were just as perfect!!! however the songwriting and lyrics on this album are amazing.!!!

Ten years time" was the second single and it flopped!!! but that doesnt mean to say it isnt amazing!!! its reflective for the listener 'where you gonna be in ten years time, will you be happy with the way you been living your life'....a top! top tune!

i wont bore you with a track by track listing but the brilliant songwiting is open and easy to listen / understand!

its hard to say which are the best songs as they are all great "stay the same" the first single, is wonderful! you meet someone - they leave...you wonder what changed as you havent!
"no big deal" is they've gone and you dont wanting them ringing to see if you are ok!!! we've been there!
"fallen angel" is amazing and i use to love this song! till the ex said it was the song he loved as he had an affair three years ago and keep it secret and he felt like a fallen angel cos hed let me down! SONG RUINED!!!

"give and take" after it had all come out...was THE SONG!!!

and dont start me on "picking up the pieces" was the song after i kicked him out to live with the other woman!!!

it hurts yet feels great to revisit this album...it brings back a lot of bad memories..but time heals and you think did i really play this constantly for 4 weeks!!!!

there are a couple of weaker songs like "latchkey kid" which tracey chapman does better!!!

a very personal journey for me and i hope you as well!!

101 out of 10!!!

Gabrielles 2nd Greatest Hits Album
Gabrielle returned with her forth studio album last year intitled 'Play To Win'. The album includes the two singles Stay The Same and Ten Years Time, which didn't do very well, but in my opinion the best track on the album is Fallen Angel which has got number one single written all over it! Latchkey kid, The War Of Two Minds, Give & Take and the uptempo title track Play To win are also highlights on the album. If you liked Gabrielles other albums then you will love this! It is like she has released a second greatest hits album straight after the first one as there is not a bad track on this album!

An album, and what an album
Bought this album on recommendation without really knowing to expect. A vague notion that 'I think I liked the hit song that came looong ago...not that I would be able to recall it!'. Anyway, it didn't take me many minutes to realise that this would be more than a reminder of the friend that had said it 'wasn't bad'. It wasn't bad, true, but 'it is great' would have been an even more accurate description. Many of the songs are little gems. Going home from work today I was standing in an underground train listening to '10 years time' at full throttle, lyrics cutting like laser within and at the same time providing a musical commentary to my dreary and weary surroundings; I dare you to try it and say that it isn't a great song!). But while (most) songs will stay with you, the best thing with this album is that it is truly an ALBUM. Definitely the sum is greater than its parts and Gabrielle's just-right delivery makes for a timeless companion that I know I will return to in years to come. Like the first reviewer did I also thought it a bit bland at first listen. But much like, say, Tracy Chapman's first album or Sade's Diamond Life it grows and grows on you -- at least if you feel compelled to hit the 'repeat album' button as I did. Don't overconsume though if you are going through a rough patch in your relation and need an lift...then again, maybe that's what you should. The broken heart lyrics of some of the songs do not reek of self-pity...rather of clear-sighted sadness and time to get a grip resoluteness. So all and all a great album. Wanting more I went and bought Gabrielle's greatest hits part 1. It was nice but if 'great' rather than 'nice' is what you are looking for -- go for this her latest album. My only complaint is that the standard cd cover shot of Gabrielle, nice as she looks, signals an Anonymous Soul Effort rather than the sweet and reflective tone that permeates the album. Trust me, you are in for a real treat...Buy.