Customer Reviews

Voices on the Verge: Live in Philadelphia

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

 

 

Okay, so I'm a guy, and I have to admit I refused to go with my girlfriend to see VoV when we were in Pennsylvania. She came back with a CD, and...WOW! They can really sing! I can't believe it. They complement each other so incredibly well.

I was especially amazed by Beth Amsel. I can't believe she's not world famous already. Her voice is rich and whole, and her songs are just... Unique? Interesting? Maybe just smart. The other women rock, too. Overall, the balance works, and makes this an album where you don't need to be skipping tracks because you get bored.

I don't know who the amazon reviewer is, but they missed the boat. I think they saw four women on the cover and decided it was strictly a girl thing. He's wrong (believe me). Give this one a try, it'll change your view of the genre, and keep you from annoyingly having to change the cd in your player all the time. The only reason I'm back here is to buy my girlfriend a new copy so that she can stop complaining about the one I 'borrowed'from her.

This CD WILL be at the top of my "best of" list for 2001. Beth Amsel, Jess Klein, Erin McKeown & Rose Polenzani are, individually, each extremely talented singer/songwriters. As a foursome they combine their unique styles into a musical tour de force ranging from folk to gospel to jazz to rock.

This live CD showcases some of their beautiful harmonies on songs like "House You're Living In," "Hunger," and "I'll Be Alright." Musically each one may lend a hand to another's song with a piano riff, finger cymbals or accordion. And the songs are finely crafted pieces that can bring a tear or a smile or chills. Or make you believe this is what music was invented for.

Don (never been won over by a chiefly acoustic quasi-feminist confessionalist)

this cd is great! all four of these women are beautiful songwriters and musicians; they are truly talented. the best part of the cd is the variety. each song has it's own flavor that comes from the songwriter/singer, and on top of that the compliments from the other musicians feeds each song. even if you've only heard one or two of the women in "voices on the verge," i would highly recommend this cd.

I saw Erin McKeown play in Athens, Ga. and knew I had to own every recording she has ever done. She is the female version of Jeff Buckley in her guitar-playing and unique voice. So I bought 'Voices on the Verge' as part of my plan, and I have to say that this is the greatest CD I have ever owned. I had to listen to it a few times to get used to the other girls' voices, but now I listen to it every day. They compliment each other so well that you would think they had been a group forever. I don't believe anyone who says they don't like this CD. BUY IT NOW!!! You won't be disappointed!

This CD is great and a wonderful collection of talented women on the verge of great things. The variety of their voices is one of the things I enjoyed, and yet they are all able to harmonize so beautifully together. I challenge the reviewer who feels that the lyrics are shallow. You must not be a female! This group is full of gusto and spunk, and will bring you alot of great listening! I am over 40, and still found myself able to relate to the music.

I caught these fine-sounding ladies at a recent Tractor Tavern show--went in expecting only Jess to perform--and got more than my money's worth when Erin, Beth, and Rose, along with Jess, opened up the night with a smooth and beautiful quartet round-robin number, and the performance just got better with every song. They each have a unique style and when blended together it makes for a captivating, goosebump-generating sound. Erin was the hit, for sure; she belts out the tunes (and plays her guitars) with humor, talent, and a little 1940's blues/jazz thrown into the mix--if you can catch this group live, do so.

This CD is great and a wonderful collection of talented women on the verge of great things. The variety of their voices is one of the things I enjoyed, and yet they are all able to harmonize so beautifully together. I challenge the reviewer who feels that the lyrics are shallow. You must not be a female! This group is full of gusto and spunk, and will bring you alot of great listening! I am over 40, and still found myself able to relate to the music.

On a recent road trip, my husband asked if I had anything "decent" in my van that we could listen to. He asked me for Sinead O'connor, but I assured him he would enjoy these female vocalists equally... Fast forward to 3000 miles later, and he was still popping in this cd whenever the engine started up. Back at home, he is still humming the tunes (as is my 7 year old) around the house. If you find that it's hard to find a CD that pleases everyone, try this little number out. My family has vastly different listening tastes, but on this one we agreed... for 3100 miles of listening and beyond!

I bought this CD as I already owned Jess Kleins' "Draw Them Near" and Rose Polenzanis "Anybody" so I thought I'd take a chance. Boy I'm so glad I did. 4 singers with different styles when they get together make a perfect whole. Each sing lead vocals on 3 tracks and are perfectly backed up by the others. It is unfair to pick stand-out tracks as they all have something to offer, however "Blackbirds" and "Heaven Release Me" are songs I can't get out of my head. Buy this CD, you will not regret it.
Since I purchased this I have managed to get Erin & Beth's solo CDs' - Well worth listening to.

A wonderful combination of up and coming artists. If you enjoy artists like Dar Williams, Patti Griffin, etc. you'll love this!