Customer Reviews

Maggie Brown

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's the rare musician who takes time off, lives a "normal" life, and actually returns to write about it. But that's exactly what the thirty-something Brown has done. As a teenager she earned the family's keep in roadhouses and honky-tonks throughout Texas, but when her mother passed away, she dropped out, married and started a family. Years later, the siren's call of music proved too strong, and as she gradually re-entered the industry, she found that the life she'd been living provided ample material.

Her songs (she wrote eleven of these twelve) knit together the bluesy work of Bonnie Raitt and Joan Osborne (those who've never listened past Osborne's "One of Us" should take her album "Relish" out for a spin) with the twangy fusion Lucinda Williams brought to her self-titled album in 1988. There's even an occasional spark of Janis Joplin to be heard. Brown is equally at home singing confessionals with her acoustic guitar as she is belting it out in front of an electric band.

Though technically a debut album, these are the songs and performances of a seasoned artist. Brown writes with a voice full of experience, fleshing out women on the move from failed relationships to those that should have been and never can seem to be. She contemplates the contradictions of being both a mother and a daughter, and finds both dreams and nightmares on the road. Producer Jeff Ford mixes up full-band backings with acoustic singer-songwriter settings that frame Brown perfectly to create a tremendously accomplished CD.

I've listened to a lot of wonderful (and underappreciated) women singers recently--Lucy Kaplansky, Rosie Thomas, Mindy Smith, Kasey Chambers. I've enjoyed all of their CDs. Maggie Brown easily ranks among them. Her debut CD is simply amazing. Comparisons to Bonnie Raitt and Toni Price come to mind. Maggie Brown holds her own with everyone that I've mentioned. And she is a truly gifted songwriter. Buy this CD!

Rarely do I love an album on first listen, but this one I did. "Nowhere to Go But Crazy" was the first song I heard on a local Americana radio program and fell head over heels immediately. It is still a favorite. I only wish she would come back to Texas!!

We first heard her in person and then we just had to have her music and her songs are so original. She really puts it out there. "40 Dollars" is my favorite!

Maggie's debut cd is simply awesome. It has definitly become one of my favorites. Her lyrics are expressive and beautiful. Maggie has been compared to many different artists but her music is all her own. Keep it up Maggie!

After my first listen to Maggie Brown's debut cd I was totally
hooked.. Such a gutsy, soulful voice and her songs just resonate
with truth and experience. Anyone and Everyone who longs for the days of the singer/songwriter/performer should most definitely add this one to their music collection

The best yet! Every song is a winner. Beautifully written. As a local, I can't get enough. Also, a wonderful performer. Catch her live show and you'll be hooked too!

Any music enthusiast will really love this album.