Conversations

Description

Conversations is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Sara Groves, independently released on PWMusic in 2000, and re-issued by INO Records in March 2001, with two new songs (“Painting Pictures of Egypt” and “The Word”). Distributed in the US by Word Entertainment, a division of Word Music Group. Also manufactured and distributed by Epic, a division of Sony Music. It was Groves’ debut national release as a labeled artist. The album was recorded by Nate Sabin and Keith Compton at The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee; with Sabin producing. Mixed by Nate Sabin at OrvilleAnne Productions in St. Paul, Minnesota (except INO’s two bonus tracks recorded by Tom Laune at Darkhorse Studios in Franklin and mixed at Laune’s Pad). Arranged by Nate Sabin and Sara Groves. String arrangements by Greg Lewis. All songs written by Sara Groves.

Two of the album tracks entered the CCM chart: “The Word” entered the chart in February 2001, peaked at No. 2 and stayed for seventeen weeks. “How It Is Between Us” also entered the cart.

‘Conversations’ is a rare find for those who seek, yes, thirst for honest answers to life’s difficult questions. Listeners will happily surrender to Sara Groves’ soulful, rich vocals, which declare with stumbling humility Our ongoing search for God. Transcendent of time, Groves’ lyrics in «Painting Pictures of Egypt» are particularly moving as they relate the difficult truth of facing an uncertain future: “The future feels so hard and I want to go back/ But the places that used to fit me cannot hold the things I’ve learned, and those roads were closed off to me while my back was turned.”

An artist with two previous indie records (including a different version of this one), Groves shines here with exceptional vocals, meaningful lyrics and superb technical accompaniments throughout. With Jefferey Roach on piano, Dan Needham on drums and Gary Burnett playing guitar, each song captivates and envelops the soul. Just when you think it can’t get any better, Groves tops it off with a live recording of «Tent in the Center of Town». The tune’s sing-song piano beat gets the heart pumping in time with Groves’ Words – the jubilant “Amen!” to this collaboration of gifted artists whose hearts declare with certainty God’s grace and glory. [Michele Howe, CCM, April 2001]

Sara Groves reminds me of Tanita Tikaram, minus the fiddles and whistles: unadorned, folksy sound with a thoughtful quality to the vocals that feels intimate, a lack of sugar coating on the very open, searchingly honest lyrics. This is Groves’ second album and it’s a beauty. It entertains without being superficial; it talks to the soul without straining to “minister”. Personal favourites, for sheer singalongability, were «Painting Pictures Of Egypt», «Generations» and «Going Home», but «How Is It Between Us» deserves a mention for its laid-back, almost jazzy feel, as well as «Tent In The Center Of Town», which has a romping, playful feel. Great stuff from a transparently gifted American singer/songwriter hearteningly offering musical and lyrical intelligence in a scene heavy with disposable Nashville pop. [Sue Rann, Cross Rhythms, July 2001]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/conversations/192672967)

CD tracklist:

01. Conversations – 4:15
02. The Word – 4:09
03. Painting Pictures of Egypt – 4:24
04. Hello Lord – 4:18
05. Generations – 4:03
06. This Journey Is My Own – 5:48
07. How It Is Between Us – 4:35
08. What Do I Know – 4:47
09. Cave of Adullum – 4:49
10. Know My Heart – 4:56
11. Going Home – 4:37
12. He’s Always Been Faithful – 3:41
13. Tent in the Center of Town (Live) – 3:57

Note: The originally 11 track version of the album was released on CD by PWMusic in 2000, housed in a digipak. Later in 2000, INO Records released a Special Limited Edition pre-release enhanced CD with the enhanced portion containing: a music video for “Painting Pictures of Egypt”, electronic press kit (EPK) conversation with Sara, high resolution promotional pictures for download, and biography, fast facts and lyrics for download. (Packaged in a metal tin enclosure with booklet.) Remastered and independently re-issued in 2025 on Galaxy21 Records (through a Kickstarter campaign) as a 25th-Anniversary Limited Edition CD, 12-inch vinyl double LP, and digital download, featuring four new songs.

An advertisement for Sara Groves’ Conversations was featured in the April 2001 issue of CCM Magazine.