Customer Reviews

Fine Upstanding Citizen

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Maia Sharp's 3rd CD "Fine Upstanding Citizen" is another excellent disc that is fascinating & emotionally engaging. When you stick the disc in the computer, it labels the genre as country. Maia's music reflects more of a pop sensibility, despite recording in Nashville and her obvious connection to her father, long-time country musician Randy Sharp. Of the many outstanding tracks here, "Wisdom" has Maia's driving electric lead and an addictive chorus, "So many empty nights more than anything clouded my vision." "Flood" is another lovely track with a haunting melody, Maia's impassioned vocal, "I'd change direction fast as a hurricane or politician, then I'd wonder why nothing lasts on the long way around." The opener, "Red Dress," is a delightful protest about the music industry, "You can say what's on your mind as long as it's on their minds too; it isn't in their hearts to find a little room for some other point of view." The title track is a hilarious jazzy ditty where Maia gets the most musically creative with her raging sax solo and the lyrical twist from the point of view of a shoplifter. The single "Something Wild" has Greg Morrow's thundering tribal drumbeat and some tasty electric guitar from Will Kimbrough. The other tracks such as "A Home" that was the title song for the Dixie Chicks' CD, "The Reminder" & "Kinder Blues" are all jewels. On the packaging is a promo quote from Bonnie Raitt, "Maia is making some of the most innovative & soulful music around. She has become one of my favorite artists. 'Fine Upstanding Citizen' is a brilliant album, start to finish." High praise indeed from another of our master musicians! Bravo!

[Note: All the reviews mysteriously disappeared for this CD; so I'm attempting to put mine back. If it eventually results in a double posting, please accept my apology.]

This record has barely left my home and office cd players and my favorite track on it changes daily. At the moment it's "Kinder Blues" and a few days ago it was "Red Dress." I just saw her live a few nights ago and live she shines even brighter in person, playing an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, piano and a saxaphone like nobody's business. Her voice is strong, soulful and gorgeous. The songwriting is inviting and emotionally rich while also being clever. I am glad I finally connected the dots with the artist and have schooled myself with her impressive history and earlier releases. Do yourself a favor, grab a copy of "Fine Upstanding Citizen" drown yourself in it and then when you come up for air check out her other stuff, including "Everything Waits to be noticed," which she did with Art Garfunkel and Buddy Mondlock a few years ago.

Met Maia Sharp last week at her live appearance in Akron, sound quality on her live show was nearly as good as the albumn. She is an intelligent, approachable female vocalist and very talented songwriter. The wit and wisdom apparent in her songs impressed me and has made me a fan for life... even having never heard of her before...

Look for more big things from Maia...

Maia Sharp's 3rd CD "Fine Upstanding Citizen" is another excellent disc that is fascinating & emotionally engaging. When you stick the disc in the computer, it labels the genre as country. Maia's music reflects more of a pop sensibility, despite recording in Nashville and her obvious connection to her father, long-time country musician Randy Sharp. Of the many outstanding tracks here, "Wisdom" has Maia's driving electric lead and an addictive chorus, "So many empty nights more than anything clouded my vision." "Flood" is another lovely track with a haunting melody, Maia's impassioned vocal, "I'd change direction fast as a hurricane or politician, then I'd wonder why nothing lasts on the long way around." The opener, "Red Dress," is a delightful protest about the music industry, "You can say what's on your mind as long as it's on their minds too; it isn't in their hearts to find a little room for some other point of view." The title track is a hilarious jazzy ditty where Maia gets the most musically creative with her raging sax solo and the lyrical twist from the point of view of a shoplifter. The single "Something Wild" has Greg Morrow's thundering tribal drumbeat and some tasty electric guitar from Will Kimbrough. The other tracks such as "A Home" that was the title song for the Dixie Chicks' CD, "The Reminder" & "Kinder Blues" are all jewels. On the packaging is a promo quote from Bonnie Raitt, "Maia is making some of the most innovative & soulful music around. She has become one of my favorite artists. 'Fine Upstanding Citizen' is a brilliant album, start to finish." High praise indeed from another of our master musicians! Bravo!

I stumbled onto Maia's unique voice back on a soundtrack that I bought for her song. Since then I picked up all of her releases (including her amazing collaboration with Art Garfunkel...if you haven't gotten that- go buy it immediately and Bonnie Raitt) and it just gets better every time. I am on a limited music budget these days (family obligations first) so when i do pick up a cd I always hope it going to be something I can listen to over and over without getting bored. Maia sharp is not only interesting the first few go rounds but makes me listen harder the more I hear it. Thank goodness artistry like hers still gets to record and have a label behind her. Course, it'd be nice if she had 1/10 the exposure lavished on all the no talent sound alikes out there. Thanks a lot Maia!! Looking forward to more great sounds....

The last time I got goosebumps like these was when I heard Karla Bonoff's first album. How has she gone unnoticed? There is not one bad, or even just so-so song, on this album. Each song could be a single release. This woman is the best kept secret in the music business. BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!

Maia Sharp's Fine Upstanding Citizen plays 24/7 in my home, in my car, in my mind....the melodies and lyrics are haunting and once you begin listening to this record (forgive me....I grew up on LPs) you won't be able to stop. I had the good fortune to see Maia Sharp perform "live" with Bonnie Raitt right before Christmas (2004) at a benefit concert and Bonnie Raitt was right....Maia Sharp is out of this world! If you want to hear great musicianship and stellar songwriting and singing....Fine Upstanding Citizen is your best bet! Maia Sharp Rocks!

My name is Stephen, I'm a music junkie. Hello, Stephen..
These are interesting times. The channels and availablity of music is legion. There is so much really good stuff out there it boggles the mind. So when something turns my head, I stop and ask myself what is it about this music that warrants replay after replay. Soul first of all. Craft, poetics, a singular voice, heart, reverence for roots, work ethic and most of all, a feeling that this album was written to me alone. She feels like a friend I could call at 3AM. I also respect the way she knows from parentage and experience that a good solid album is only the first step. She gets out there and makes herself known. I buy my music carefully. I'm not even close to making a decent living. With all the ways of stealing music it's all the more important to support those who put their lives out there and fight for recognition. Maia is grace personified. Love ya Maia.. Live well..

Thanks to Bonnie Raitt for helping push Maia's songs and especially this great effort. The songs just grow on you with
each listen, you find something new in each song you didn't
quite catch before, can't wait to see her live with Ms. Raitt
in Conn. Oct 22!!! This is a true singer/songwriter/musician that has and does it all.

Since first hearing 'Hardly Glamour', I have eagerly awaited each release from Maia Sharp, and each has been as, if not more, rewarding than the last. There is something immensely satisfying in listening to an artist develop with each album, particularly when they are singer/song-writers.

It is also nice to have something to look forward to, although it may be another year or two until the next album - hope not. It is to her credit that her songs have been covered by other highly successful people - the true test of a good song writer.

I'd hate to have to define or pigeonhole her music, as it is varied yet coherent. To call it country would be meaningless, and I think incorrect. What is country these days, anyway ? Whatever you call it, it is great, musically and lyrically. 'A Fine Upstanding Citizen' should cement Maia Sharp's reputation as one of America's leading singer/song-writers of the new millennium. While we enjoy her three solo albums to date, we can but wait for the next exciting installment.