Customer Reviews

Love & Pain

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

 

 

I don't exactly recall how exactly I stumbled across this artist 'cause she's of the type not widely promoted in the U.S. I now have all of her music and this is the CD that started it all for me.
The term "DIVA" is much abused these days (Maria Carey comes to mind) but this little known artist has the gift of voice but more importantly the gifts of soul and emotion.
At times she brings to mind a modern Janis Joplin, at others, an updated Billie Holiday.
There's not a bad track on this album...."Blind Old Friends"gives a hint of what Lady Day might be doing were she here in the 21st century. The gutteral growl and evocative lyrics of friendships left behind resonate with the truth of modern living.
"It's Jesus I Love"(...but the Devil I want tonight) is all about lust and desire often at odds with the psyche...and HOT!
"Nothing Comes From Nothing" has the breezy funk of a dance tune with a surprizing rap/spoken bridge that kicks."Once in Every While" is a breathtaking song of longing and regret for a love long gone."Innocence" is a prayer for her child's future and a mother's loving protection....
I could go on and on....suffice to say, with the right promotion or word of mouth, the title of "DIVA" would be reserved for the deserving few...and Sarah Jane Morris is among those lofty few.
Beguiling.....get it!

The lady's got it all, from soul to blues to jazz to tinges of rock, and she continues to be my favorite. Her studio albums do a terrific job of capturing her emotional core and the songs on this album in particular really speak to the range of feelings. Try to catch one of her live performances if possible -- something magical happens when she's on stage. Her website offers her Live in Montreal CD and it's incredible.

If you haven't heard (of) Sarah Jane Morris yet, you've been sleeping your life away! She has done several recordings but LOVE & PAIN is a marvelous work of art, not just a fantastic voice and fantastic lyrics. Take a risk--you'll never forget and will always be looking for the next!

I am glad to read such rave reviews for this cd. Wish I could give it 3.5 stars. I really love about half of the songs but the rest just didn't reach me. Songs like "It's Jesus I love" I can listen to over and over but I find myself skipping over "Blind old friends" time and time again. Her voice is a treat and this cd is well worth buying .

Sarah Jane Morris takes up the challenge from her co-producer
to come up with a different "voice" for each song on what is an
outstanding recording. The other reviewers are more eloquent on
their comments for Love & Pain. I can only add for those unfamiliar with SJM's music is to meet her half-way. The music interests & experiences you bring to the table will be increased
at least ten-fold after listening to this recording that has the
excitement of an artist's first release & the scope and 20-year experience of a master storyteller.