Customer Reviews

Gaining Wisdom

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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I really like Donna Hughes. She is a wonderful writer and has a unique voice that blends perfectly with a bluegrass backing.

Her previous CD, Same Old Me, is one of my all-time favorite CDs. In addition to Donna's well-crafted songs and great vocal delivery, there is an edgy banjo-laced arrangement that permeates every cut.

Tony Rice produced this new CD with his usual smooth Americana-friendly backup that somehow loses the raw bluegrassy flavor that made the earlier CD so refreshing. You can make up your own mind about which you might like better by reviewing cuts here on Amazon that appear on both CDs. The songs in common are: Scattered To The Wind, Where Are You Darlin'?, and Hold On. I know some people will prefer the smoother guitar-oriented versions that feature Tony Rice's smooth and fluid backing. I happen to prefer the more raucous versions with the banjo and mandolin a bit too far forward. Anyway, it's great to hear the differences and the choices that were made. Both CDs are great.

Some of the highlights of this new CD for me are "Bottom of the Glass" and "Not Any More." I often pay less attention to lyrics than other people, but Donna Hughes is such a skillful crafter of lyrics that I pay close attention to the words every time I listen to these songs.

I encourage you to listen and buy this CD, but I also strongly urge you to check out the 20-cut earlier CD "Same Old Me." It's a fascinating and compelling CD as much for its production failings as for its excellent music.

Playing Time - 43:36 -- Heralded as one of the best new singer-songwriters in bluegrass, Donna Hughes' debut on the reputable Rounder Records label is a significant career milestone for the creative and talented young woman from central North Carolina. When I first heard her independently released albums years ago, I knew she was inspired, motivated, and headed for great success. She just needed the right amount of luck. Enter guitarist Tony Rice who also heard "something that was down to earth, with a definitive southern flavor to it....that implied a broader, more adventurous approach." This album, produced by Rice, includes four new arrangements of original songs that Hughes previously released on her own "Same Old Me" project. Eight additional originals are on this "Gaining Wisdom" album, along with two covers ("Time After Time" and "Find Me Out On A Mountain Top").

As I've said before, Donna's songs have potential to become contemporary bluegrass, acoustic country or folk hits. Classically trained on piano, Hughes also has a strong affinity for bluegrass music. She has performed with regional bands, Wildwood and Different Directions. Her adorned and relaxed presentation is incorporated with the modern instrumental consciousness of such stellar acoustic technicians as Tony Rice, Tim Stafford, Rob Ickes, Mike Bub, Sam Bush, Ron Stewart, Wyatt Rice, Bryn Davies, Rickie Simpkins, Wayne Benson, Scott Vestal, Kati Penn, and Obil Perez. To accompany her dreamy singing, we hear harmonies from Carl Jackson, Alecia Nugent, Sonya Isaacs, Mary Chapin Carpenter, John Carroll, Kati Penn, Rhonda Vincent, and Lona Heins. This is a very impressive cast that infuses her music with a great deal of enchantment. Hughes writes and sings moving and sensitive personal songs with a relaxed, refreshing, contemporary flair. Introspective themes of lost love, sorrow, longing, heartache, and optimism are covered.

In her song, "Letters," Donna admits to having a lot to say in correspondence with her grandmother, and it becomes apparent that dreams and aspirations are in the Hughes' family. "Where Are You Darlin'?" is a tale of anguish in which she sings, "Along with all my dreams/I can't go on, I can't go back." And the song "Too Many" expresses "I just can't love you anymore." Four of the tracks provide nice showcases for her piano playing, with the lean arrangement of "Talking to the Wind" being a particularly unique and lyrical way to end this euphonious album with a nod to her own Native American ancestry. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Donna Hughes has already had 2 tunes covered by established acts. The stand out feature of this new CD is the writing, as has already been noted by the heavyweight artists who have taken her under their wing. Sometimes the subject matter is sentimental (nothing wrong with that), but neither the writing or the delivery is ever maudlin, and the take on the situation is from an original angle.

The music mostly has deep bluegrass roots, but I am a little reluctant to put it completely in that box. Her piano based tunes step outside that classification, and probably she will end up busting out of the bigger Country box as well.
The singing is laid back and the music is really well played as one would expect from the calibre of musicians that seem to have fallen over each other to play it.
The CD is called Gaining Wisdom, and that is what Donna is about here. She has not reached the peak of her powers yet, and we will hear better things from her in years to come.
In the meantime she will never have to be embarrassed about this first major release.

Some women have a voice that goes straight to the heart and touches the soul. Donna Hughes, Alison Krauss, Sarah McLachlan, Alison Krauss, Enya, Alison Krauss...

As a lifelong musician, I'm a sucker for musical pyrotechnics, and the bluegrass genre has more than it's share of real players. In fact, several of my favorites appear here (Rob Ickes, Tony Rice, etc.)

What seems to lack so often though, is great songwriting. I'm talking about that magic, subtle ballet between lyric and melody, the kind that evokes imagery and emotion. It's a lot harder to pull off than it might seem.

As a songwriter, Donna's got it - in spades. Not a "clunker" in the bunch, with a couple in particular (Bottom of a Glass, Where Are You Darlin') with the makings of modern classics. Personal favorites - Scattered to the Wind, Letters, Not Anymore, Hold On. Apparently I'm not the only one who recognizes her talents; her songs having been recorded by Alison Krauss, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and more.

As a vocalist, Donna's carries her material with a sensitive, convincing delivery. No vocal calisthenics here, just honest and open singing.

Tony Rice's clean production style suits both the songs and the singer. Again, something that's not so easy to pull off, with the balance of the chops, tonalities, and subtleties eloquently delivered - First Class.

I can't seem to stop playing this CD!

I learned about Donna Hughes and Gaining Wisdom through a 'suggestions' link related to other music I bought on Amazon. After listening to some clips, I was impressed and bought the CD. Gaining Wisdom has wonderful songs and is great music.

Donna Hughes is a breath of fresh sweet powerful breeze in the bluegrass world and I think will be a major crossover star in time. This is a fabulous album and I hope she plays live in our area soon.

The best part is the cute girl on the cover.
Most of this CD is a let down. There are much better new comers
out there...but i must give all bluegrassers credit and support
their efforts.