The Soul Sessions
by Joss Stone
  • Record Label: S-Curve
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2003
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. E! Online
    83
    Stone navigates her way with confidence and prowess, passion and experimentation.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Thing is, Joss Stone does have an extraordinary voice, and the only misguided ploy on The Soul Sessions is a Roots-produced slo-mo cover of a White Stripes tune.
  3. Dot Music
    80
    It's a record that benefits from the homogenous, warm feeling such an intimate set-up can make for, the tracks setting up Stone's remarkable voice rather than intentionally distracting from the singer's limitations.
  5. Mojo
    80
    There's no denying the intuitive understanding Stone has of the often daunting material she tackles. [Mar 2004, p.104]
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  6. AllMusic
    80
    She has unique phrasing and a huge voice that accents, dips, and slips, never overworking a song or trying to bring attention to itself via hollow acrobatics.
  7. PopMatters
    70
    The dichotomy of power and sultriness is the [final] track's greatest asset. It's that same duality that should provide Joss Stone with a career that knows no limits.
  8. Rolling Stone
    70
    Stone shines on this impressive covers set.
  9. Blender
    70
    Stone’s voice is remarkably authentic, and the atmosphere she conjures is smoky and sleazy, pure mid-’60s Detroit.
  10. The Guardian
    70
    Her singing is rich, mature and agile but not showy, at least until the final number.
  11. Q Magazine
    70
    A fine start. [Mar 2004, p.113]
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  12. The A.V. Club
    70
    Sessions establishes Stone as a formidable interpreter.
  13. Amazon.com
    70
    Worthy of more than novelty status.
  14. Stylus Magazine
    62
    It’s a good voice, but it’s not a good album.
  15. Uncut
    60
    She has all the signifiers of deep soul experience: the husky, rich timbre; the confident testifying; the honeyed transitions. But the ruefulness, grime and pain... aren't there. [Feb 2004, p.73]
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  16. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    58
    Norah Jones is herself, give her that. I hate to think what this phenom will have to go through to get that far.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 5 out of 29
  1. brubruzinha
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    I love this debut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. EstellaKimberly
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    What an amazing debut by Joss Stone, her voice is so powerful and her songs so great and relaxing!
  3. RoxanneKimberly
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    What an amazing debut, Joss Stone was so young and yet so so talent, great songs here
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