Dig These Discs :: Jennifer Hudson and Jessica Simpson

Recently two CD releases highlighted the talents of two pop divas with differing results. Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson released a debut CD that's well-worth the long wait. It's a solid effort. On the other hand wannabe pop superstar Jessica Simpson's lastest is just more of the mediocre same.

Jennifer Hudson

With the film version of "Dreamgirls", American Idol Finalist Jennifer Hudson came out of nowhere and showed everyone why she should have taken the crown on that show. With her electric, Oscar-winning performance and bring the house down number "And I am telling you I'm Not Going," Hudson quickly ascended to the top.

It is hardly surprising then that her debut album Jennifer Hudson, is a solid effort. What's surprising is how controlled Hudson's voice is throughout the CD, still retaining the power but avoiding the over the top acrobatics that easily could have plagued the production.

All of the tracks are polished, classy R & B efforts, with some random moments of departure. Lead single "Spotlight" is an accurate indication of what's in store here. The song , a lament about being respected in a relationship and refusing to live in a lover's shadow, is the kind of smooth and soulful attempt that Whitney Houston would approve of.

"Pocketbook", featuring Ludacris is a snappy, diva like number with Hudson letting everyone know she will kick ass and take names if necessary ("They say I stride like a model.. Curves like a bottle.. Watch me as I hit the wall") The sparring between Hudson and American Idol alum Fantasia Barino in "I'm His Only Woman" recalls the Brandy/Monica duet "The Boy is Mine", but is ultimately more of a power ballad in terms of execution. Hudson finally releases the restraint during "Jesus Promised Me a Home", a stirring gospel track that soars rather than suffer from her over the top emoting.

Jennifer Hudson has set a lofty bar for herself by exploding on to the scene with an academy award winning performance in a musical. However, if her debut album is any indication, this very talented R & B diva has a very long and successful music career ahead of her as well.

Do You Know

Jessica Simpson, on the other hand, really hasn't proven that successful in the entertainment world. Her biggest success was the MTV show "Newlyweds", which exposed the dippy, dumb but cute side of her personality to great avail. With that success, her third album managed to rocket up the charts, and even gave her a #1 single. However, once that all faded, Simpson has had a very time making any kind of impact in the music scene.

Do You Know is another attempt for this dying artist to strike gold by changing it up and going country. Does it work? No, not really. Not all actually. Not even close. Though she doesn't completely embarrass herself, this is the kind of CD a certified country singer like Carrie Underwood puts on when she needs a real good laugh after a hard day.

There are the only two tracks that positively work here, and they actually work decently enough. "Come on Over", the lead single is a catchy, flirty, toe tapping number that actually feels a bit natural. The closing track "Do You Know" gets down to business, featuring Jessica sharing the lead vocals with Dolly Parton (who wrote the song). Together, the two make an effective country track and it's the only time on the album you really can hear Simpson letting completely loose on the vocal end, conveying some raw emotion through her singing.

Everything else here is sleep inducing and feels like cheap imitation. "Remember That" is a tepid ballad about a woman's conflicts with mental and physical abuse. "Still Beautiful" and "When I Loved You Like That" are equally dull and syrupy love songs, punctuated by a voice that is simply too restrained or completely uncomfortable in the skin of the country music genre. "You're My Sunday" is the nadir lyrically, and I don't really think I need to go into further explanation , the title says it all folks.

Jessica Simpson has some good ideas. "A Public Affair", the single from her last dud album, was a bouncy energetic throwback to the rollerdisco era. Similarly, "Come On Over" is a strong first single that is well intentioned, but the album fails to build on that in any way. Looks like it's back to the drawing board for Jesse. She could always shop "Newlyweds 2" with Tony Romo?? Just a thought.