Traveling Light

Courtney Jaye | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B0009K3F3K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,666 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Singer-songwriter Courtney Jaye's debut album, "Traveling Light," embodies all the surprising and enthralling qualities of pop music; Jaye writes recognizably real-life stories from the inside out--stories that anybody who's ever been young and in love will relate to--and she delivers them in a beguilingly, natural voice.

Working with producer Peter Collins (Indigo Girls, Jewel, Elton John) and a studio band of handpicked musicians, including drummer Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel, Tears for Fears, John Mayer) and guitarist Rusty Anderson (Ednaswap, Paul McCartney), Jaye fearlessly swings for the fences throughout her first at-bat, and she consistently connects. This young artist is stepping up to the plate with a fistful of memorable songs she's fashioned with, among others, Matthew Sweet, the Jayhawks' Gary Louris, Butch Walker, and former Veruca Salt co-leader Nina Gordon, all skilled songsmiths who share her belief in the enduring expressive potential of the verse, chorus and bridge.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Suprise, June 10, 2005

By 

Annie "annabelle_moon13" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traveling Light (Audio CD)

The morning before I went on vacation I was flipping through the Best Buy flyer from the Sunday paper and Courtney's album caught my eye. I'd never actually heard of her before but I decided to remember her name and look it up online when I returned. 4 days later I did just that. I think I listened to about 20 seconds of one of her songs and I knew immediatly that I had to have this album. I went out and bought it today and I haven't been disappointed. Though I've only listened to this CD about 3 times I'll do my best to pick fave songs. I really love the first single "Can't Behave". I also really like "Permanent", "Time for Goodbye" and "This is the Day" which is my fave off the album thus far. I love all of the songs though. I reccomend this album to people who like Anna Nalick and Michelle Branch. Don't waste your time. Buy this CD now. Who knows. "Tomorrow could be taken away" (This is the Day).

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arrival..., June 22, 2005

By 

Jeanne Montalvo (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traveling Light (Audio CD)

There was a time not too long ago that relevant and influential female singer songwriters were very successful at commercial radio - Sheryl Crowe, Traci Chapman, Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, Melissa Ethridge and Shawn Colvin come to mind. Their prominence was symbolized by the success of the Lilith Fair tours in the late 90's. Then the industry turned to male hard rock bands and young female pop performers (Britney, Christina, etc. etc.) Now, it seems the sun is shining on a new generation of female singer songwriters (perhaps because of the success of John Mayer and Jason Mraz, the male counter parts). Courtney Jaye's "Travelling Light" is a great example. Courtney has an amazing voice and a collection of highly intriguing songs that merge lyrics with a distinct point of view with music full of evolved melodies and killer pop hooks.

"Can't Behave" is an upbeat, hand clapping, rant about a boyfriend who is not quite worth the trouble (a theme throughout the record). Co-written with Gary Louris of the Jayhawks, it sounds like a modern mix of Steeler's Wheel and early Sheryl Crowe. "Lose My Head", the opening track, is a signer songwriter working the Kelly Clarkson vein of pop --the chorus is reminiscent of vintage 60's girl group melodies and harmonies - the emotional pay off is undeniable. "Permanent" is a moving song about a failing relationship, the doubts about the permanence of love that ensue and the realization that change is the only constant. The recording is an acoustic rock blockbuster with a guitar lead that rips at the emotional threads of the song in a manner reminiscent of John Lennon in his Plastic Ono phase. "Mental" is a beautiful ballad about self realization - namely that an idealic relationship comes a cost: ones identity can be lost in the bliss. The last song on the album, "Love Me" co-written with Matthew Sweet, is an affirmation of love, despite the turmoil chronicled throughout the album. "I ride every wave, and I won't look to the shore, if you love me." One gets the sense that Courtney Jaye has arrived and is not going away.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Debut Album, From A Brilliant Singer/Songwriter!, August 3, 2006

By 

Philip Hensley "Philip" (Vancleve, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traveling Light (Audio CD)

Don't let a few bad reviews fool you! This is easily one of the best albums out there! There's not a bad song in the bunch! And Courtney Jaye is easily one of best and most original singer/songwriters around also! And she's worked with some of the best in the business to create this musical masterpiece! This is nothing like the average pop music you hear, It has more of a hawaiian sound on some songs, I noticed that the first time i heard it! She calls it rootsy/exotic/alt/pop on her myspace page! That's one of the things i like most about the album! Plus the songs are all so fun, catchy, and dreamy, and she has such a great singing voice, i just can't get enough of it! And there's something for everyone to like! I really love all of the songs so much! But if i had to pick any favorites probably" Time For Goodbye" "This Is The Day" "Love me" and "Hanalei Road" to name a few! So please buy this album and listen to the whole thing, with an open mind, and listen more than once! If you're anything like me and really like great music that's different than the usual dull boring music you're used to hearing, I know you'll love it as much as i do! Courtney Jaye is one very talented artist that has real staying power! She's already finished her next album so that's proof of that! And from what i've heard of it, it's great also! I know she certainly has a life long fan in me!