Description
Live from New Orleans is a live album by the American singer and songwriter Ginny Owens, released on Rocketown Records in May 2005, manufactured and distributed in the US by both Provident Distribution and BMG Distribution. The album was produced by Ginny Owens except the final track co-produced by Monroe Jones.
n her latest release Ginny Owens sings like she’s comfortable in her own skin. Knowing that she struggled with the success that came with her first recording, that’s no small thing. She performs here with a maturity and confidence that comes with time.
Live from New Orleans is a relaxed, stripped-down, jazz-influenced rendition of some of Ginny Owens’ best songs. «I Wanna Be Moved» and «Free» benefit from the removal of the electronic wizardry that make the original versions now sound a little dated. The same could be said for «If You Want Me To», which is given new life with a slightly altered arrangement. It’s a little risky tinkering with her biggest song, but I found myself enjoying it after the first listen.
«Call Me Beautiful» is one of those honest, confessional songs that make Ginny’s songwriting so endearing. As she so touchingly explains (and I’m paraphrasing) in the song intro, we all share a longing to be known and loved unconditionally. But no one is capable of meeting all our expectations, nor are we capable of meeting all the expectations of someone else. It really doesn’t matter though if no one loves us unconditionally because God loves us that way. Knowing our darkness and flaws, He loves us more than anyone else. There’s nothing that we could ever do to make that change.
She is well supported in this effort by a band that provides somewhat sparse but solid backing. They provide just the right expertise while being unobtrusive. Ginny and the band had more than 100 performances before this recording, which gives the songs their lived-in feel.
Also included our two new songs: «Let Love Rule», a cover of a Lenny Kravitz hit that has a blues flavor; and «Live Once», a new studio song at the end, which is probably part of her new release planned for the fall of 2005. «Live Once» has the fuller studio sound but the song fits with the style of the others. It continues in the direction of piano-driven pop that has a jazz and blues flavor.
It would be easy to overlook this recording in anticipation of the new studio release. But Live from New Orleans is like a walk in the park on a beautiful spring day. You feel better for having made the excursion. [Michael Dalton, The Phantom Tollbooth, May 12, 2005]
Having heard too many live albums by established artists that are clearly a cheapish way of putting out a new album while they think about writing new material, I approached this one with a certain reluctance. But it in fact shows the blind singer/pianist in an excellent light as with her regular on-the-road guitarist, bassman and drummer she creates a relaxed, intimate mood of warm bonhomie and no little artistry. Recorded at the House Of The Blues club in New Orleans, (hey, Mr Publicist, please leave off the overused “legendary” description) this shows previously unsuspected blues and jazz influences in Ginny’s approach while that deliciously acrobatic voice (beautifully close mic-ed here) and the stripped down accompaniments bring a new vibe to her old hits. In fact, having long rated «I Wanna Be Moved» from her album debut it’s a revelation to hear the song here without the ricocheting electro-beat and realise what a gem it is. (It’s also good to hear most of the lyrics – Ginny has long been a singer whose eccentric enunciation effectively obscures many of her best lines.) If that last observation seems a tad hard and likely to hurt the dear lass, Ginny assures the audience on the spoken intro to «Call Me Beautiful» that she doesn’t read reviews of her albums. Her interaction with her road seasoned musos is excellent – there’s even a bass solo on «I Love The Way» while her singing, like on the goose-bump inducing «If You Want Me To» is all but faultless. Also, her bluesy cover of Lenny Kravitz’s «Let Love Rule» is fun. As a bonus, there’s a new song «Live Once», a taster from Ginny’s forthcoming studio album. A thoroughly engaging set from an increasingly confident singer/songwriter. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, July 2005]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/live-from-new-orleans/314456751)
CD tracklist:
01. I Wanna Be Moved – 4:11
02. Free – 3:13
03. Call Me Beautiful (Intro) – 2:25
04. Call Me Beautiful – 3:56
05. I Love the Way – 3:49
06. New Song – 3:55
07. With Me – 3:03
08. True Story – 3:56
09. Let Love Rule – 5:17
10. If You Want Me To – 4:17
11. Live Once – 4:33
[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”yilVw9ijZHM,1pOoNeXhXWk,d58tVQaGSAs,LZC76VfnA-c,a9lxHQX1S5E,72D7rsxHgEQ,Q-WDe-iWmIM,nF08j9DvDyI,uRD3lYeivak,eA2vKOHUVIw,KNUJI11-D6c” title=”Ginny Owens, Live from New Orleans – I Wanna Be Moved + Free + Call Me Beautiful (Intro) + Call Me Beautiful + I Love the Way + New Song + With Me + True Story + Let Love Rule + If You Want Me To + Live” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.