Customer Reviews

Paper Wings & Halo

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Blend well-crafted music with meaningful lyrics that you can related to and you have Lori McKenna's great collection of songs on her debut CD. The music may be minimalistic in the use of instruments but that's what makes the songs so powerful and allows Lori's singing and lyrics to really come through. This CD is in permanent rotation on our CD player.

This is, by far, my favorite CD. Lori is simply a dynamic songwriter, performer and her voice is both powerfully chilling and filled with angelic sweetness. Some songs have moved me to tears (i.e. "Hardly Speaking a Word"). She writes and sings straight from her heart, and BOY, what a heart she has. Her live performances are also energizing and mesmerizing. She is just AMAZING, simply amazing...

Listening to this recording is as close as you can get to knowing what it's like to hear Lori live. Lori's voice is a captivating force that is so unique, so wonderfully simple and alternately powerful that you'll feel the need to listen to her music over and over and over again. She entered the acoustic arena a couple years ago, and has since become a huge presence on the Boston music scene and beyond. Her guitar style is also very impressive and unique, blending perfectly with those amazingly heartfelt lyrics to bring the listener to the places and people Lori has lived and loved, while reminding us of our own lives as well. As terrific as it is to hear Lori live and unadulterated, this recording make her sound even better because it has been produced so well by the one and only Seth Connelly, who keeps Lori's voice and music as the main focus while adding just the right touch of occasional bass or violin to further underline her phrasing and emotion. I had only seen Lori perform live before hearing this CD, and was sure that any recording couldn't possibly capture her...what a great and happy surprise to hear Paper Wings and Halo, and realize (happily) that I was very wrong. ~(:>)

A voice like Lori's comes along only too often, but when they do they should be cherished. Apart from her beautiful voice she writes thought provoking songs as well. It's unfair to pick out tracks from a CD which, in my opinion, is faultless. However special mention must go to the heart-breaking "Hardly speaking a word" and "Never be back" as well as "Ruby's shoes" which deals with racism amongst school children. This is a CD which, once heard you will never forget.

The CD PAPER WINGS AND HALO is great- no, not great AWESOME! Lori's song ,Would You Love Me Then is so interesting you will be thinking about it all day. PAPER WINGS AND HALO is just so sweet, sometimes it makes me cry. No doubt about it Lori is on her way to greatness.

First off let me say that Nanci Griffith is one of my heros and I think Patty Griffin walks on water. That said, if you want the closest "comparison" of McKenna, combine Griffin and Griffith and throw in something totally unique--which is pure McKenna spin. There is some amazing songwriting on this album: the title track, Don't Tell Her...so much here that's vibrant and exploding with melodic charm. Her latest album (this is McKenna's first), "Pieces of Me" is also amazing--more mature, she hits more of the Griffin stride on it and seems to be exploring new territory. Don't pass this one by--you'll regret not saying "oh, I've been listening to her for years" when McKenna stops being such a precious secret...

Lori McKenna's CD was a great discovery for me. I got as excited listening to her as I when I first heard Iris DeMent. From the opening bars of "As I Am" you know you are listening to a distinctive talent. This set is mostly folk-influenced pop that is predominately Lori on guitar. On "What's One More Time" Lori's voice floats over a repetitive guitar part, "I have cried your name so many times, what's one more time?" The title song is utterly delightful, "She knows God is watching; She knows that she can always trust her Paper Wings." "Ruby's Shoes" is another gorgeous ballad about racism. This set has been re-released in slightly different form on Lori's new label, but this original release is a remarkable debut!

This is one of the rare cd's that i don't skip a single track on. Lori truely taps into something deep and divine here and has no trouble sharing it with everyone she comes across. "Swallows Me Whole" gets me all the time.

Lori McKenna's beautiful voice and passionate words make this CD incredible. I will never grow tired of listening to it. It's a great variety of songs, and a wonderful piece of music in itself.

If you ever get the chance to hear her live, she's even better.

I discovered Lori about 6 months ago by searching recommendations here on Amazon and I have not stopped listening to her since. If you like meaningful lyrics backed by acoustic guitar plus a spectacular voice, then you will enjoy this cd.

Lori sings with a passion that is raw and yet very smooth. She is never whiny and there is a comfort to her voice even on the sad songs. I have played her songs for a few of my friends and they all have fallen in love with Lori.

Each of these songs I can relate to on some level and that is what I love most about Lori's music, aside from her guitar playing and her voice. My favorites (if I had to choose): 'Swallows Me Whole'(a song about addiction), 'Don't Tell Her'(a breakup song), 'Paper Wings & Halo'(about an old woman in a retirement home who is ready to die), 'Never Be Back'(another great breakup song)...All of the songs are beautiful.

I try to listen to Lori at least once a day. "Pieces of Me",and "The Kitchen Tapes" are great additions to any Lori McKenna collection. Please spread the word about this amazing artist!!