Description
Without Condition is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Ginny Owens, released on Rocketown Records in July 1999, manufactured and distributed by Word Music Group. Also manufactured by Epic, a division of Sony Music. The album was produced by Monroe Jones. All songs written or co-written by Ginny Owens, except the traditional hymn “Be Thou My Vision”.
Ginny Owens won the Nashville “Lilith Fair ’99 Talent Search”, which earned her a spot singing at that year’s festival, and the following year performed at the Sundance Film Festival.
On first listen to the debut CD from new Rocketown singer/songwriter Ginny Owens, one may have thoughts that go something like this: “Uh-oh, another Lilith-Fair-style artist in love with human angst and alternative music who’s content to be only a slightly more Christian version of Jewel or Paula Cole.” But such impressions will shortchange this promising young artist and the profound, jazz-influenced songs she has to offer.
Produced by Monroe Jones (Chasing Furies, Chris Rice), the songs on Without Condition are built around strong, piano-based melodies and Owens’ clear, clean vocal presence, which at times sounds like a slightly deeper and breathier version of Lilith founder Saran McLachlan.
«Free» is a bright and singable tune that revels in the freedom faith gives. Starting with the sound of a car speeding off and then mixing in an almost hip-hop beat with light guitar accents, this hooky tune is both relaxing and fun. The bluesy, gritty «Symbol of a Lost Cause» also deserves to be noticed. This rough-edged gem explores why Christians so often dedicate their lives to causes (and people) others quickly give up on. Other highlights are the title cut’s exhortation to love «Without Condition», the simple surrender of «If You Want Me To» and the nearly ethereal «Someone Searching», a tune that’s reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper’s ’80s ballad, «Time After Time». Finally, there is the worshipful paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13, «I Am Nothing».
Listen to this one all the way through to the end. There’s more there than you might think. [Mike Nappa, CCM, August 1999]
Rocketown Records’ roster grows apace; having signed Chris Rice, Wilshire and Watermark, not to mention producing the excellent ‘Exodus‘ various artists’ album, Michael W. Smith has now recruited a female solo singer, and on the evidence of this, he’s chosen wisely. True, the blind singer/songwriter Ginny Owens reminds me at times of many of the other successful songbirds who’ve hit the CCM scene of late; sometimes she’s very Jaci Velasquez, then at other times she’s Jennifer Knapp, then she’s Sarah Masen or Jeni Varnadeau. But there’s individualism as well. The up-tempo numbers are good hooky, radio-friendly stuff; Rocketown’s in-house producer Monroe Jones has done a competent job, there’s plenty going on, and Ginny comes over strongly. But she also has a tender touch with the ballads. It’s a tad short, without the rather unnecessary fragment of «Be Thou My Vision» as the opener, the total playing time would have only been just over 37 minutes. This minor quibble apart, a fine first effort. Her next album could be a classic. [Trevor Kirk, Cross Rhythms, December 1999]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/without-condition/6553936)
CD tracklist:
01. Be Thou My Vision – 1:33
02. I Wanna Be Moved – 3:23
03. Without Condition – 2:53
04. Free – 3:28
05. If You Want Me To – 3:34
06. Land Of The Grey – 3:40
07. I Am Nothing – 4:00
08. Springs Of Life – 3:56
09. Someone Searching – 3:17
10. Symbol Of A Lost Cause – 5:18
11. Own Me – 3:47
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Rocketown Records.
A full-page advertisement for Ginny Owens’ Without Condition was featured in the August 1999 issue of CCM Magazine.
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[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”BJYTuKwfqxQ,YcX9R9C60gM,dzt52BqnzUM,FYKvecFcGyY” title=”Someone Searching – Michael Puryear, Ginny Owens + Own Me – Michael W Smith, Ginny Owens + Without Condition – Don Donahue, Ginny Owens + Free – Monroe Jones, Ginny Owens” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
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