Maura O'Connell
"Don't I Know"
Maura has been recording music for twenty years. She may not be a star, but she is unique, emotive, a brilliant songstress who knows how to get the most out of a song. She has a treasure chest of songs to work with on this CD. She has been able to get the best songs from some of Nashville's best, including a cover of new alt/country sensation Mindy Smith. Other writers include Jim Lauderdale, Patty Griffin, Kim Richey and Tim Obrien.
This is a very introspective work with mostly acoustic music excellently
produced by Jerry Douglas who also provides some incredible lap steel and some
dobro. One of this reviewers favorite acoustic sessions pickers Bryan Sutton
provides some great acoustic pickin'. I can't say enough about how good the
production is, excellent tonal qualities, the music supporting O'Connell's warm
emotive vocals.
Maura's reading of Mindy Smith's "Goin' Down In Flames" is just plain
incredible. She takes the blue mood of the song and flies with it. "When Being
Who You Are" (is not enough)" (Lauderdale/Satcher) is just a great song, telling
the story described in the title. O'Connell really knows how to live a song and
get inside of the lyrics. Some haunting lap steel by Douglas.
"Trip Around The Sun", an upbeat acoustic song with just some great lyrics and
plenty of great hooks; very cerebral, is a great opener. "Hold On" has a smoky,
jazzy feel to it. The lyrics create great imagery.
How do you categorize this great music? Well, it's a mix of styles, definitely
won't make country radio, probably you could put it under Americana. I will say
that it is the most inspired record that I have heard this year since Mindy
Smith's "One Moment More".
"Love You In the Middle" is an upbeat number with a Celtic touch. I don't know
if I've ever heard a CD with so many songs that the singer makes the lyrics
something you need to hear, I'm guilty myself so many times of just listening to
a song because it sounds great or the music is great, but not paying much
attention to the lyrics.
So much emotion in "Goin' Down in Flames" , Maura pulls you into the mood, and
the great acoustic accompaniment and killer lap steel, but the lyrics are
important. Oh, I know that I've already mentioned that great song by Mindy
Smith, but I've been known for breaking rules before, so this is an alt/review
like alt/country; not mainstream.
"Up and Flyin" by Patty Griffin is a high point of the record. Maura really
opens herself up more than ever with another great song. Bryan Sutton takes you
on a great acoustic solo ride on this upbeat acoustic tune.
In closing, I really can't say that I've done this album justice. Maura is a
rare breed, maybe not the best voice I've ever heard, but definitely one of the
best singers that I've ever heard with a style that belongs to her. It takes a
lot of livin' to put so much emotion into her music. It takes a lot of respect
for writers to give you some of their "A" material to record. Every track here
is a masterpiece. Want some inspiration?, you need to listen to this. (Don't I
Know)
Visit Maura At: www.mauraoconnell.com
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