Customer Reviews

Carnival Love

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I caught Amy C. opening for John Hiatt in Ann Arbor back in October and was floored by her voice and her humor. This CD highlights both. Usually singers who write about heartbreak AND paint little pictures of day-to-day life (their Chinatown neighborhood, an old bike passed along after an uncle's death, etc.)fail at one or the other. Correia is successful at both. She can sing about a perfect day ala a religious awakening, a horrible day when love fell apart OR what happened this morning while she was walking down a city street and it all falls perfectly into place. There's always a sense of hope, a sense of humor and a sense this is a real life being put into song. But the voice...It's emotional and raw but with this amazing technical control that takes your breath away. We all know how most pop music is show biz and detached from the 'real' but with Amy Correia, both live and on this cd, you just get this urge to invite her out for coffee, introduce her to your friends or whatever because her music is so REAL. This cd is a most for everyone who thought it wasn't possible for pop music to be real anymore.

I am so absolutely amazed by Amy Correia!!! I was given this cd as a gift and it sat unlistened to on my shelf for at least a month until i had nothing to do and decided to give it a try. Every song - EVERY ONE - is affecting and soulful, and I can't stop playing the entire cd over and over again! I am so amazed by her beautiful lyrics and talent.

I bought this CD immediately after seeing Amy Correia open for Richard Thompson in Boston. The songs as performed on the stage (where she was accompanied by a cellist) and on the CD are really wonderful.

"Life is beautiful", with its simple melody and optimistic lyrics is a delightful antidote to some of the overwrought songs you can find on the radio. "Day dream car" is blues-y and fun - Correia's ukulele is surprisingly effective, and the more conventional guitar accompaniment fleshes out a song where her soulful voice shines. "Gin" is moody and evocative as she tells the story of loneliness leading to drinking leading to waking up in a stranger's bed.

Throughout the broad range of themes Correia explores, her music captures the mood and her straightforward lyrics express complicated situations - be it coming of age, love or loss. This CD is a wonderful addition for anyone with a passion for thoughtful, funky, slightly folky pop - it's sandwiched between my Lyle Lovett and Fiona Apple CDs. Highly Recommended!

I was flipping channels to get through a sleepless early-morning when I happened upon a performance by Amy Correia. To the marvelously, refreshingly whimsical poignancy of "The Bike" I snapped to attention, scribbled down her name as soon as it appeared on screen, and made it to the CD store that afternoon to buy Carnival Love. The album didn't disappoint. It has the freshest sound I've heard in years - her lyrics remind me of the direct honesty of Lucinda Williams, her tunes are unforgettable, and her voice has the most unusual, REAL quality about it. Every tune is unique, and the instrumental choices make it a must own. As a singer/songwriter myself, I can't thank Amy enough for being a creative inspiration, for being a role model who truly uses her own voice, and for generally making my day. BUY IT and listen to it twice straight-through without stopping. Then go back and dig into all the nuances within. ENJOY!

This is simply the BEST CD I've heard in years. This woman has amazing talent -- hauntingly beautiful voice and hot guitar. The song, the BIKE, is a fabulous song, with shining life force and complexity. Can't wait for Amy's next.

When a CD starts with a couple of songs evoking material from the Tom Waits library at the corner of Swordfishtrombones and Rain Dogs, I hang around for more. Amy Correia's voice resembles that of Ricki Lee Jones, which only enhances any Waits influences. On Correia's debut, Carnival Love, her material is not simply derivative, though. She captures that spirit, is quite clever in her own right, and is a master of turning painful topics into good, catchy songs. All things considered, another reason to celebrate this CD is what it lacks: filler.
Echoey cello introduces "Angels Collide," the sad, but pretty and magnetic opening song. It could work as acappella, but is very satisfying with spare instrumentation. "Fallen Out of Love" rocks like a quieter version of Waits' "Hang On St. Christopher," and offers Correia's insight that, "I was looking for a savior but you are just a man/I have to save myself and now I understand." She casts her heart's line into the universe on "Starfishin," with a good melody and gorgeous hook that squeezes catharsis out of painful lines like, "Wishing that it weren't true/You've taken a shine/To someone new" and "Just when I thought my ship had come in/You went and spoiled everything/I'm gonna cry an ocean of tears/I'll sail away the rest of my years." "Life is Beautiful" is a song looking for a film to move into and enhance, if it hasn't found one already. It's a prime example of Correia's ability to turn pain into inspirational art as she sings, "I was lying in the gutter when a hand unseen/Poured down the sun on New York City," as the music moves from subdued to triumphant. Most of these songs are radio-friendly, but "Daydream Car" should be on some "greatest-driving-songs-ever" list. "He Drives It" could be a female response to the old Roger Taylor (Queen) song, "I'm in Love With My Car," as the female protagonist loses her love to his automobile obsession. The celebratory "Carnival" is a poetic observation of freaks ("Everybody said you look weird together/ When the lights go up and the sun goes down/ They're the perfect couple underneath these pink cotton candy clouds") in a carnival, and the people riding rides. She reminds us that "they just got to be loved for exactly who they are" (and that "normal" appearances don't necessarily indicate happiness), as the music turns into triumphant sonic fireworks for the human condition. The beautiful and painful "Blind River Boy" could be a song from Uncle Bob's catalog.
This is Correia's recording debut and it shows exceptional talent. Not bad for a barber's daughter. It's impossible to say how many lives she will touch with her work, but remember the impact of that other barber's kid, Charles Schulz. Amy is young, and whatever magic is, she has It. Let her know what you think of this disc via AmyCorreia@yahoo.com

Sometime this winter one of my good friends took to making 'mixes' of his favorite songs and sharing then with me - Amy Correia's "Fallen out of Love" was on one of these CDs, and then "The Bike" was on another. So when he told me Amy was playing a free concert in the next town over and offered me a ride - how could I refuse? We saw Amy play outside in a little theater as the sunset - it was amazing - completely so. I bought album shortly afterwords (and although she's even more amazing live) was very impressed - I love 'Angels Collide' and 'Gin' might be my favorite but each track is truly amazing. Her sound is very distinct - all her own and completely fresh.

I put Carnival love on one winter afternoon started cooking and almost immediately started singing along!! I must have played it 4 x in a row and loved it more each time.Fabulous lyrics, great voice, wonderful instrumentals(love the ukelele, mandolin work). Whats not to love? Amy could be compared to many other artists but that wouldn't do this work justice.Some of these tunes are incandescently beautiful and I am glad I found out about this cd.Already Carnival Love is like an old friend comparable to my favourite Joni Mitchell or Tom Waits albums.If you like Amy I urge you to also check out Lynn Miles. Her album Nights in a Strange Town is a keeper too.ps I LOVE Blind River Boy. Its pure poetry.

What a great CD! What a great performer! I had the privilege of interviewing Amy for the Barnard College newsmagazine, the Bulletin (of which she's an alum). Prior to this assignment, I had never heard of this talented singer/songwriter, but now I'm her biggest fan! Her songs are so real, so touching- Life is Beautiful and Chinatown really speak about the "true" New York experience. You must get this CD, and if possible, see her live! The night I saw her, she was supposed to open for John Hiatt. While he didn't show up, it only meant more time to watch her! A great performance,and I hope she only gets more attention as time goes on!

Amy Correia is the singer/songwriter you always hope to stumble upon. Her voice is both unique and familiar. Her lyrics are honest and off-kilter, but in a good way. "Life Is Beautiful" and "Starfishin'" are two of the most beautiful songs I've come across in a while. And who doesn't like a woman with a ukelele? Though nothing can beat seeing Correia perform live, this amazing album is easily the next best thing.