Customer Reviews

Room With a View

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Room With A View" is a journey more than an album. Each song stands on it's own, but together they tell the story of a woman searching for love. For those of you who may not know who Carolyn Dawn Johnson is, she started her career as a songwriter, writing such hits as the #1 smash "Single White Female" for Chely Wright, and "Downtime" for JoDee Messina. On this, her debut release, Carolyn shows that she has the vocals to match the songwriting skills!

This is such a refreshing CD that it shows me that there is more to Nashville than 3 minute cookie cutter songs. CDJ (as her fans call her) has been blessed with the ability to make a song mean something, and at the same time make it friendly for radio. This has been proven in her native Canada where she is nominated for an astonishing 10 CCMA awards for her first release!

I'd like to say there is a standout track here, but they all hit their marks, from the uptempo numbers like "Complicated", "Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That" and "Just Another Girl" to the touching ballads "Room With A View" and "Masterpiece".

If there is one CD you add to your collection this year, this is the one to get. And, if you get a chance to catch CDJ live, do so! I had the opportunity to see her play the Bluebird in Nashville, and it was a mesmerizing experience.

In an industry that has been plagued with a lot of average songs in the past few years, CDJ has an edge over the rest being that she is one of the best writers around right now. Add that to her singing ability and the way she interacts with fans and without a doubt in my mind, Carolyn Dawn Johnson has the goods to be country's next superstar.

-Darren O'Neill

I waited so long for this album to finally be released. Carolyn was first known as a songwriter, writing hits for Lila McCann, Jo Dee Messina, Mindy McCready, Shedaisy, and the number one song "Single White Female" sung by Chely Wright. Carolyn's CD was worth the wait. The things she sings about are very relatable to a lot of people, especially young women. Even in the sad songs on the CD, Carolyn always offers a ray of hope. She wrote or co-wrote all 11 songs on the CD. Some of the best tracks are "Georgia", a song with a familiar theme (a woman leaving her man because he hasn't proposed) was the first single at radio. "Just Another Girl" is different than a lot of songs out there, that's what's good about it. Here Carolyn sings of how an ex-boyfriend gets married to someone else, so now he sees her as "just another girl". "Complicated" is the big hit right now at radio, and deservedly so. This song has another very relatable theme to it. It's about liking a friend and not being able to decide whether to tell them how you feel. "I Don't Want You To Go" is the most upbeat song on the album and it just makes you want to get up and dance or drive with your windows down. "Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That" has an interesting take on life, about how we need to have a little bit of bad to be able to enjoy the good in life. This shows the depth that Carolyn has. "Masterpiece" and "Room With A View" are both songs about death. One can't help but cry when first hearing these songs. But that doesn't stop them from being great. In fact "Room With A View" about the loss of Carolyn's brother is the best song on the album. It's simply written and Carolyn sings it with an emotion that completely pulls you in. If you want to listen to some songs with substance, you will enjoy this CD. Carolyn is the next big thing in country music.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson may be a new name as a recording artist, but many country fans probably know her better than they think. In addition to singing backup for Martina McBride, Carolyn has also written numerous songs for other country artists, including Lila McCann, Jennifer Day, and is best known for penning Chely Wright's breakthrough hit, "Single White Female." In addition, her first two singles have made the top thirty and she has spent this summer touring with Reba McIntire and McBride on the highly acclaimed "Girls Night Out Tour" With this list of accomplishments under her belt, Carolyn's first album, ROOM WITH A VIEW, has been a highly anticipated release. Fortunately for music fans, it lives up to every expectation one would have of this talented songwriter.

ROOM WITH A VIEW is an excellent reflection of Carolyn's talent, and is easily one of the best debut albums released this year. Carolyn has a charming, beautiful voice that is reminiscent of country divas like Deana Carter and Martina and portrays the lyrics of the songs perfectly. While the singles "Georgia" and "Complicated" are definitely two of the strongest songs on the record, there are plenty of wonderful tracks on this album. "Just Another Girl" and "I Don't Want You To Go" are definitely potential hit records, while "You Are" and "Masterpiece" (dedicated to her aunt and uncle) are gorgeous songs sure to provoke emotion from the listener. ROOM WITH A VIEW seems to be a concept album of sorts, as each of the songs deal with some aspect of relationships, beginning with "Georgia," a song about a woman leaving her painful past behind (you can just hear the pain in Carolyn's voice when she sings this) to "Room With a View," which portrays a person who has found contentment in his or her life.

Added to the strength of ROOM WITH A VIEW is the fact that Carolyn wrote or co-wrote every song on the album. The songs she co-wrote feature an all-star cast of writers, include Shaye Smith, Tommy Polk, and Troy Verges (who also co-wrote Jessica Andrews' number one hit, "Who I Am," as well as songs for Three of Hearts and Meredith Edwards).

Carolyn Dawn Johnson is an amazing singer and songwriter and is sure to make as big a name for herself as a performer as she did working behind the scenes. Her debut album is astonishingly good for an artist's first record, and showcases the talent of one of country music's rising stars. In the words of the eighth track on the album, ROOM WITH A VIEW is truly a "masterpiece."

I purchased this album just because of two songs that I liked, "Complicated" and "I Don't Want You To Go." I was hoping that I would enjoy the rest of the CD- I did. Carolyn Dawn Johnson has a fulfilling career ahead of her because each and every song on this album is absolutely perfect. One of my favorites is "I'll Think of You That Way," which is about a woman who has just broken up with her significant other and saying that instead of remembering the bad times of their relationship, she'll think of the good times they had together. Another major plus is that Carolyn wrote/co-wrote all of these songs on this album, which very few female country singers do. I highly recommend buying this masterpiece, "Room With a View." You will not be disappointed.

CDJ can do it all! She writes, she plays, she sings! I wonder if there is anything she CAN'T do. After having successes writing for artists like Chely Wright ("Single White Female") and Jo Dee Messina ("Downtime") and singing demos around Nashville, CDJ is out on her own now, with a collection of awesome, awesome songs.

The CD kicks off with her first single "Georgia", a tune co-written by Troy Verges ("Who I Am"), about getting the heck out of dodge in the wake of a heartbreak. It is followed by "Just Another Girl", which is an upbeat, autobiographical tune, CDJ wrote it after finding out her long distance love was engaged - to someone else! "I'll Think of You That Way" is a great tune about the choices we make in love, sort of like the next track - "Love Is Always Worth the Ache". They lead into "Complicated", which is my favorite, favorite song on the CD, it is a perfect song to crank up and sing along with. "I Don't Want You to Go" is a plea from CDJ to take the time to smell the roses. "You Are" is a thank you from CDJ for being everything she needs, it has a great hook. The next song is a tribute to her aunt, uncle and cousin, it is called "Masterpiece". It is a beautiful, touching song that really comes from CDJ's heart, and it shows in the inflections in her voice. "Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That" is a great song about the give and take in a relationship. "One Day Closer to You" has a very "Downtime" vibe to it - it is very catchy and singable. CDJ's passion shows the title track, the closer to the American version of the CD...

...BUT, I own the Canadian version, which includes two more tracks, the butt-kicking "Tumble and Roll" and "Not Enough to Stay", which includes my favorite line "I am sure one more try is bound to end in goodbye.."

This CD is so great, I have listened to it beginning to end, over and over and I think it gets better all the time! CDJ will be around for a long time and I look forward to hearing more from her!

For a few years now, Alberta native Carolyn Dawn Johnson has been supplying country's superstars with some of their biggest hits. You might recognize a few, such as "Single White Female" (Chely Wright) and "Downtime" (Jo Dee Messina). Now she's breaking out as an artist with her debut album "Room With A View". At first I was a little reluctant to buy the cd. I've had bad experiences before with songwriters turning artists. For some reason they can write a hit, they just can't sing them (perfect example: Matraca Berg). I'm glad to say that for once I was wrong, this is one songwriter that CAN ACTUALLY sing.

I first became aware of Carolyn Dawn Johnson, the singer, when she released "Georgia". I fell in love with the song THE minute I heard it. It's a powerful tune about a woman finally finding the courage to leave the man she loves. In the lyrics she says that if she's not over him by the time she gets to Georgia, she'll keep driving until she does. I can really relate to these lyrics. I mean, who hasn't been in a relationship where no matter how hard they say they were going to leave, they don't, until finally one day they find the courage to let go. I really didn't think Carolyn could top "Georgia", and that's when she released "Complicated". The song's about a woman who has a crush on a friend and doesn't really quite know how to tell him without hurting their friendship. Yet ANOTHER song I could relate to. It seems to me that Carolyn has a knack for being able to relate to other people's feelings and experiences. That's what makes her such a talented songwriter and an even better artist.

There are, of course, other great songs on the cd. They include the title track, "Room With A View" (written for her late brother), "You Are", the fun "A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That", and "Just Another Girl". Carolyn is the voice of every woman who's ever lost someone, had a crush, or found something in themselves they didn't know they had.

If "Room With A View" is any indication of Carolyn Dawn Johnson's future as an artist, I think she should be really excited. If she isn't successful in country music, which is my fear, she could always make a name for herself in the adult contemporary world. Talent like hers should not be wasted. If you're looking for a great contemporary country album, buy "Room With A View". It's something you can relate to.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers

1. Georgia: Beautiful song. The beginning starts out kinda slow, but transitions into a moderately upbeat rhythm. Martina McBride does a good job on the background vocals. The ending is slightly different and longer than the radio version, but it goes together really well. (9.5/10)
2. Just Another Girl: Like this song a lot. Not too fast, and not too slow. Would've been perfect for Julia Roberts' role in the move, 'My Best Friend's Wedding'. (10/10)
3. I'll Think of You that Way: I like the message this song gives out. Most songs about break-ups tend to sound gloomy and depressing and slow, but "I'll Think of You that Way" is optimistic. It tells you to find the good things in bad experiences. (9/10)
4. Love's Always Worth the Ache: I don't really agree with what this song is saying. For the most part, I like to take risks and try new things, but just not in relationships. Heartbreak just isn't my thing. The tune, though, is really catchy. It really grows on you the more you hear it. (9.5/10)
5. Complicated: One of my favorites. No matter how many times I hear this song played on the radio, I never seem to get tired of it. Chorus is really catchy. (10/10)
6. I Don't Want You to Go: I love this song!!! The album definitely wouldn't be complete without it. This song has a really fast and catchy beat that I couldn't get out of my head when I first heard it. Carolyn Dawn Johnson's voice fits the song perfectly. This song rocks!!!(10/10)
7. You Are: Also one of my favorites. "You Are" is really different from the rest of the ones on this album. This song is on the slower side, more musical, and for some reason, reminds me of the alternative band Lifehouse and some of their slower songs. It's the perfect love song, and everything in it fits together so perfectly. (10/10)
8. Masterpiece: I'm not too into depressing songs, and when I was first skimming the lyrics, that's what I thought it was. The melody in the beginning was a bit too slow for my tastes, too. However, after I heard it a couple of times, it really grew on me, and I realized that it's a song showing how perfect and wonderful love could be. I especially love the chorus. (9.5/10)
9. Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That: This has a really bluesy-countryish tune that I really didn't like when I heard it at first. But the more I heard it, the more I got used to it and started to like it. It's fun to sing along to. (8.5/10)
10. One Day Closer to You: Also a good song. The tune's a bit like "Just Another Girl" & "I Don't Want You to Go", at least, it reminds me of that. (9/10)
11. Room with a View: I still haven't gotten used to this song, and personally, I don't like it too much. It's sad, cause her brother dies in the end, and it's also pretty slow. (8/10)
Overall: This is an awesome album!!! Definitely worth buying!

Carolyn Dawn Johnson's debut album is one of the more exciting albums to come from a newcomer in recent years. She is no stranger to Nashville though, writing hit songs for Mindy McCready, Martina McBride, Chely Wright, to name a few. ROOM WITH A VIEW is an excellent CD filled with great music from start to finish.

The first single Georgia is one of those songs that sweeps over you like a cool rain. Johnson conveys enough emotion without taking away from the songs simplistic nature. The impressive thing is Johnson wrote all 13 songs here (note: I have the Canadian version with two extra tracks). The two extra tracks are Tumble and Roll and Not Enough To Stay.

Complicated weighs the pros and cons of taking a friendship to another level by becoming lovers, and the frustration it can bring along. I Don't Want You To Go (which along with Tumble and Roll, appears on the UK import of Mindy McCready's I'm Not So Tough, TAR is on the US version too though) is a really fun upbeat song about enjoying being in someone else's arms and spending time with them. Songs like One Day Closer To You and Love Is Always Worth The Ache weigh in on the positive side of being single, while remaining hopeful at the very same time for finding true love in time. Masterpiece is a beautiful song with beautiful lyrics about love as a masterpiece. And Room With A View is remembering someone's death, and their spirit.

Overall this is an excellent country debut album, one of many reasons why Carolyn is one of the hottest stars in country these days, her music is very personal and appeals to people, through songs we can all relate to. Very accessible album and I would highly reccomend it.

As of late, country music has seen an explosion of new artists, and Carolyn Dawn Johnson is a great addition to those the new artists. You may be familiar with CDJ because of her songwriting abilities--"Single White Female" by Chely Wright and "Downtime" by Jo Dee Messina--and on CDJ's debut album, "Room with a View" she wrote or co-wrote all 11 tracks. Not only are her songwriting abilities amazing, but her voice is very melodic and easy to listen to--think folk with a little umph. She coined two songs as memorials to people in her life, "Masterpiece" and "Room with a View." Both are touching tributes, and lyrically and musically she nails both. The CD also focuses on love or searching for love, and many people will relate to the lyrics of those songs, especially "One Day Closer to You" which tells the story of not rushing into any relationship just because you are getting older. On this track, Carolyn enlists the help of guitar great Marty Stuart who Carolyn grew up listening to. "Georgia" with Martina McBride singing background vocals and "Complicated" were the first two singles off the album also complete "Room with a View" nicely. CDJ offers a new, fresh voice to country music, yet she's not a traditionalist. Nonetheless, with the trend in country music being "when in doubt, sing louder" Carolyn offers a new, peaceful approach. If you enjoy the aucostic guitar, fresh vocals and clever lyrics, "Room with a View" is a hit. Carolyn will soon be known not only for her amazing songwriting abilities, but for her strength as a vocalist and musician who can hold her own.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson has been in the music industry as an esteemed songwriter long before coming out with her debut album. She put her lyrical talents to work on this album, coming up with thoughtful and creative lyrics that are well above average. However it is not only the lyrics that make the album superb. Everything from the catchy tunes, clever arrangements and background vocals, not to mention Carolyn Dawn Johnson's sweet soprano voice, is what makes the album so above average. Each of the 11 songs on the cd are great, my favorites being "Georgia," "Little bit of this, little bit of that" (on this track, she really lets her 'inner diva' show through with her vocals), and "I Don't Want You to Go." Another plus is that the album is more accessible to a wider audience because it's not heavily "twangy," so people who don't necessarily like country but like pop or rock might find that they love this album. Give "Room With a View" a chance, you won't be dissappointed!