Listen

Years ago I discovered Listen at a local department store in the mall, and I fell in love with it. I couldn't afford it at the time, so I went back later to buy it, and was told they no longer carried it. I hadn't seen it since and moved on to other fragrance. Then last year I discovered it on Fragrantica and saw it for sale on ebay. The prices were pretty good so I bought a large 3.3 eau de toilet and a .5 of the perfume. They are still fresh and lovely. This is definitely a chypre with galbanum in the first notes. Very fresh and green, it sings fresh and inviting. The floral heart is so lovely and feminine. Full of hyacinth and jasmine and is very well blended. It can be worn any time, day or night. It can also be worn all year round but I prefer it in spring and summer because of its greenness. Projection is good and it lasts for several hours. The perfume is a little greener than edt and the edt is a more jasmine. I am so glad that after all these years I discovered this lovely gem.

Thank you for adding this gem to the database! Listen by Herb Alpert is hands down one of my top 10 favorite perfumes of all time! So much so, that I even had a factice of it as decor in my apartment for many years. For some reason this fragrance never seems outdated to me. It is definitely a bright floral, maybe one would even describe it as fresh and sunny. The best comparison I can give would be along the lines of Prescriptives Calyx without the sharpness of the grapefruit or Clinique Happy, but without the citrus, a lot more greenery and a touch melon. Prices have been on the rise over the recent years, so grab one if you can (but save a couple for me!), I recommend that you look for a well preserved one, as topnotes tend to fracture on this older formula.

I discovered this from a sample mini in a random lot, and went on to get a bottle and a back-up of the eau de parfum. I have read other reviews complementing Mr. Alpert's use of a melon note, and I agree, as it harmonizes with all the notes. If you love rich yet not sultry perfumes, this is a winner. Great story, too, with musician Herb Alpert seriously studying perfumery and creating something meaningful to himself and his family. Not a celebrity perfume, Listen is an artist's perfume.

This review is for the pure perfume: huge oakmoss opening followed by herbal galbanum and floral notes. Remarkably unisex, modest sillage and lasting power. The presentation couldn't be more 1980's style if it tried. Recommended for classic chypre lovers!

Lily of the valley Buzz. Oakmoss, jasmines, galbanum, hyacinth, ylang, and lily of the valley blend with some soapy musk. Fair, nothing more.