Pieta Brown

Pieta Brown | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 4, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Trailer Records
• ASIN: B000066JEY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,688 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lullaby

2. Blind Dog Yell

3. Without You

4. Even When

5. Tell Me How

6. Fly Right

7. Out In A Field

8. On The Edge

9. Bury Me

10. Down To Memphis

11. Don't Turn Away

12. Pass You By

13. Can't Take It Away

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Greg Brown fans and lovers of Lucinda Williams's Essence CD will be familiar with the spacious, minimalist roots sound of Iowan guitarist Bo Ramsey's production hand; a lucky few will have even picked up Ramsey's own In the Weeds record. The Iowa sound (who knew?) now expands to include Brown's daughter, Pieta. The younger Brown's songs are a litany of loss that might be too much if not for an underlying toughness in her breathless vocals that recalls Chrissie Hynde as much as any obvious comparisons to Lucinda. Brown and Ramsey offer a sound deeply rooted in the blues, where songs of loss are traditionally cathartic and redemptive rather than whining. The brilliance of this disc, though--aside from its gorgeous sound--lies in Brown's offbeat but dead-on phrasing and slightly skewed song structure, which combines with Ramsey's pithy, supportive guitar work to create a beautiful vision of how roots music might fit comfortably into the modern world. --Michael Ross

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal debut from Iowa folkie June 18, 2002

By Mitchell Clute

Format:Audio CD

A masterful debut album, ranging from delicate balladry to raw, bluesy scorchers. Brown has a rich, dark, sexy voice, and her delivery is sometimes quirky but always perfectly timed. She's a fine songwriter too; her lyrics are direct, understated and full of vivid imagery. Fans of Gillian Welch, The Be Good Tanyas and other alt-folk acts will find lots to like on this album. Bo Ramsey adds another dimension with his supple, fluid guitar work. Listeners familiar with Lucinda Williams' "Essence" release know his work already. Bo is also the longtime collaborator of Greg Brown, Iowa folk veteran and, incidentally, Pieta's father. Good bloodlines aside, this album holds up just fine on its own merits. A must-have and one of the year's most promising debuts.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not her Dad, but then, why should she be? February 21, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this album out of curiosity, as I am a big fan of Greg Brown. I was delighted at the difference between her musical style and her father's, but hoping she had caught a bit more of his lyrical talent.

Pieta has not lived long enough to write with the depth and vigor that her dad brings to his lyrics, and it isn't fair to expect her to--without the decades of life experience, she still brings a lot to the table.

What struck me most was the depths of her bluesy voice, husky and delicious. Bo Ramsey's guitar work is quintessential Bo Ramsey, spare and haunting, and it captures the melancholy and the magic in Pieta's voice very well.

Overall this is an album worth a listen on it's own merit, as Pieta is on a strong start to a career that will hopefully be as long and and varied as her father's.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars if norah jones was less asinine and more richly tectured... November 28, 2003

By Andrew S. Toomajian

Format:Audio CD

she'd sound a bit like pieta brown. this is a slow rainy day record that will grow on you. not an all time classic but still well worth checking out. somehow she's both smokey-sultry and earthy-folky. thats pretty cool.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Right from the Heart-Land April 6, 2004

By Larry Stone

Format:Audio CD

I am truely thankful to hear an artist who has obvious reverence for the life she was given. Her lyrics gracefuly express an awareness of lifes simple pleasures. One listen to Blind Dog Yell, track two of the album and I was taken by the simple poetic verse and how difficult that is for most artists to capture. Unless of course they too express from their soul! Way to go Pieta. By the way, she has another album I Never Told, that is as much or better of a delight. Buy it, listen to the lyrics from under a shade tree and smile.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply amazing January 11, 2003

By "carriebelle99"

Format:Audio CD

I first heard Pieta's voice while driving on an indie radio station. Her voice was so beautiful, I had to call to find out who this was (which I NEVER do)...never heard of her before that day. Two days later I see she's coming to town and bought tix, bought the album and have listened to it so much I think I am wearing it out. I will never tire of this -- great voice, amazing lyrics, and wonderful music. I feel incredible every time I put it on. I never rave about music, but this woman deserves to make it! I thought I'd spread the word- then I'll be all cranky when she is big and I can't see her at a coffee house!:)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The way music should sound May 4, 2003

By Robert Moore

Format:Audio CD

Beautiful voice, revealing lyrics, Bo Ramsey's signature gutiar style...she's a wonderful new talent.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Uniquely contemporary June 14, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

For minimilist folk music, this record feels uniquely contemporary. It feels like the still strong, steady heartbeat of the "rest" of America, away from the cacaphony of television, news cycles, and other things disposable. These songs do not fill the lulls but create them, giving us the break we have been deserving of and promised to for as long as we can remember. Some places won't show their charms to a visitor. After going through the cycles for a while you start to feel the pull. A few ups and downs and the beauty is revealed. You probably won't like every single song on this record, but you will love a few and you might find yourself making appointments to listen to them. America needs this music now, and so here it is.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Put Up Another Mark for the Iowa crew! February 6, 2003

By Benji Nichols

Format:Audio CD

If your a fan of the 'Iowa Sound' or Bo Ramsey's production and playing, then you CAN'T miss this debut record. Some will say it's too mellow and undeveloped, but that's where the beauty lies within it! You couldn't find a more sincere approach to creating and producing music than what Bo, Pieta and the whole rest of their crew have accomplished on this record!!!