Customer Reviews

Miss Understood

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had the good fortune to discover Carolyn back in 1993 when she had just gotten out of high school. She was amazing then, and she has only grown as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Check out her website - [..]and her MySpace page. She's touring the US this summer, and if you're a blues fan, she's not to be missed. Enjoy the little gal from Texas with the GREAT BIG VOICE.

Take the best parts of Janis Joplin, Marcia Ball and Susan Tedeski, mix them together and you get CAROLYN WONDERLAND. Great album. Boy can she play the guitar.

You don't have to listen to too many samples to realize that Carolyn has exactly the right name - and all the right stuff, too. Thanks, Amazon. Finally your song samples do just what they are supposed to do! Can't wait to own this CD....Come to Chicago, Carolyn! Why should Texas have all the fun?!

Carolyn Wonderland is a new name to me. She's an oldskool blues-rocker with a muscular vocal style lying somewhere between Jonell Mosser and Janis Joplin. Carolyn plays lead guitar on many tracks, and boy can she play - she doesn't miss a lick! The supporting musicians are new to me as well - except drummer Jamie Oldaker and Cindy Cashdollar who plays dobro on 'The Farmer Song'. I'm assuming that some of the musicians are from her road band - their playing is tight, together, and very much on Carolyn's wavelength. The album was produced, recorded and mixed in Austin, Texas - which, more or less, says it all.

Just reading a little bit about the lady, she is sometimes referred to as a blues singer; I wouldn't describe the music on this album as 'blues', although it is very 'bluesy' at times. Much of the time, Carolyn rocks - and rocks hard; but there are a few songs of a more subdued nature. Most of the songs are originals written/co-written by Carolyn and/or the band members; there are 2 covers of songs originally performed by Rick Derringer/Johnny Winter and J J Cale, and 3 covers of songs written and performed by other Texas-based artists (Terri Hendrix and Bruce Robison). Some brief comments about my favourite tunes :

MISUNDERSTOOD (Carolyn Wonderland) - terrific opener with a backbeat guaranteed to get your foot tapping and your hips swaying, Carolyn plays lap steel - including a 1 minute solo.

I FOUND THE LIONS (Terri Hendrix/Lloyd Maines) - mid-tempo rocker with a funky horn/sax arrangement.

TROUBLE IN THE CITY (J J Cale) - a new lease of life for this song; it's another one which grooves on the backbeat, check out the rolling piano too.

THROW MY LOVE (Terri Hendrix) - great blues-rock with some tasty electric guitar playing from Carolyn, and she belts out the vocals like there was no tomorrow.

FEED ME TO THE LIONS (Carolyn Wonderland) - haven't a clue what genre this song belongs to, it's a little bit quirky in style and structure; swirling strings plus electric piano (no other instruments are played).


As with most albums that I buy, there are 2 maybe 3 tracks that I will probably skip; but nevertheless, 'Miss Understood' is a solid album of high-octane music from a multi-talented artist and accomplished musicians.

I'm really hot on female blues singers right now and this gal gets across. I have noticed that just because one album is great on a cd doesn't mean they all might be so select carfully. This is great Jolpin style music without mimicing. I was just strolling through alot of new to me female singers and had a lucky find. Julie Black and Grace Potter were also amoung the latest memorible performers I recently found to be very satisifing. Regards Breeze

Miss Understood is the album of the year. Every song is powerful and her voice just gives me shivers she is so good. If you get a chance to see her live GO!

This disc captures her completely. Ya gotta see her show when she comes to your town!

Wow, can she play that guitar. I find her slide work unique, and her voice is outstanding. To top it all off the songs are great, and the more I listen, the more I like. Get this cd, it rocks. I wish she would come East more often! I don't understand why she is not more well-known. Perhaps she should try more "miasma" style caterwauling like the more famous artists we know......bleh.

I was surprised at how good this album is. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

I listened to this with my music man. He is particular about talent and hard to please, as he has been involved in music from before birth. We had a great time with Carol's disc. I highly recommend adding this to your collection. You won't be disappointed.