Customer Reviews

A Woman Needs (Amazon.com Exclusive)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not a critic so I'm not gonna compare this to anything. All I have to say is when I listened to this entire album I was brought to tears. I absolutely love every song. It's a shame that Jessica has decided to just focus on songwriting and not pursue singing anymore. This is a must have CD and I'll charish it for always.

This album seems to have taken an age to be released, but in all honesty it's totally been worth the wait.
Due to several release date changes an the recent announcement to continue as a songwriter only I feel this album is almost bittersweet as in 'what else could have been'? All the songs are strong which is what is to be expected from the once 'sad song' writer from the Wreckers. As Jess made the choice to stop singing her songs it would have been nice to have a bonus disc included with her 'Preface' album from her independent days but on a whole this album desereved more focus from her record label an then her choice might have been different. A must buy for anybody who was into the Wreckers or even Michelle Branch as they're is plenty on offer. The musical arrangement is top notch an Jess sings every note like she means it. Favorite tracks for me are 'follow that train' and 'love letter' also 'someone else's life'..'Breakup song' could have easily been her next single, but we shall never know!! 10 out of 10

I have not bought the whole album yet. I am waiting to see if some major lable comes to their senses and releases this gem. This was well worth the wait. I bought "Boy Like Me" last year, and was eagerly awaiting the release of this CD. I am not sure I want it on the CD-R format that is being offered by Amazon.
That said, "Boy Like Me" is still one of my favorite songs... nearly a year later. And I just downloaded "Letting Go", "Good Enough for Me" and "More to This than You". All three are single-worthy pop/country at it's best. And I am warming up quickly to the title track, "A Woman Needs". It's just a matter of time until I download the rest of album!
If you are a fan of The Wreckers and Michelle Branch, or other pop/country crossover artists, you will LOVE LOVE LOVE this album. Buy it at Amazon today, and let your toes start tapping.
Jessica, thank you for an awesome release! Well done! I hope to see you sing it live one day in San Francisco!
Cheers!

I would recommend this to everyone! Have listened to it over and over again and it is wonderful! Jessica can really sing and her song-writing talents are endless!

I bought this album in the back of owning the wreckers albums. i listened to the previews on Amazon and decided i must by. I have not been disappointed. Jessica has made an easy to listen to and sing along album which went straight onto my MP3 the moment i finished listening to it. A great mix of songs for all.

I've liked all of the songs that Jessica Harp did solo that came out on CMT and the radio.She has a unique singing style that's all her own, and she sounds good,but I hope she doesn't limit herself and I hope she tries different ranges and experiments with her voice some more.I'm also really happy because I was trying unsuccessfully to find a way to purchase her album, and I'm glad I finally could through Amazon.

It's too bad that the beginning is, ironically, the end - at least for now? It's also tragic that one of the BEST, most consistent female country albums of the last decade is only being released via Amazon on "CD-R" - Jessica deserved much better! BUY this amazing CD and hear for yourself - chock full of potential hit single smashes and a soaring, strong, poignant voice. Shoulda coulda woulda :(

If you are thinking of purchasing album, do yourself a favour and click BUY now! It's a beautifully written album that has a great sound! No problems with delivery, perfect condition~ Jessica has a great voice and it would be a shame if she didn't sing for more albums! I heard this is the last album she will sing herself and concentrate on her writing! Well i for one would be disappointed! She has a great sound! Highly recommended indeed! You won't be diasppointed~

Bought this because I was in love with The Wreckers music. Not quiet the same but its well worth the purchase.
Favorite song has to be Follow That Train.
Jessica has a lovely voice and a beautiful way with words, pity shes giving up recording to pursue her song writing.
If you like Michelle Branch, The Wreckers or any modern country its worth a listen

Prime Cuts: Lonely Anywhere, Boy Like Me, Letting Go

Abject sorrow preludes the release of this release. Two weeks prior to Warner Brothers Nashville dropping this album, albeit only digitally, Harp has handed in her pink slip as a recording artist. After all the abhorrent politics in the music business, including having this album shelved numerous times, this former half of the Wreckers has finally given up. "A Woman Needs" will be her debut as well as her final record. She will abandon the stage in preference for the pen where she'll remain a full-time songwriter. Whether this will work out in her favour remains in the hands of time. But based on this disc, Harp seems to be a better singer than a songwriter. Though she co-wrote the majority of these 11 cuts with her husband Jason Lowery and producer Jerry Flowers, the major problem with these cuts is that they often hovel around the peripheral lyrically. Melody-wise there's nothing that really jumps out as a hit. Thus, in such an age of economical meagreness in the music business, it's no wonder why Warner Brothers Nashville have been delaying the release of this disc.

Vocally, Harp is a top class performer. Though she doesn't have a very distinctive vocals but the way she invests herself into each delivery is noteworthy. She has a way of taking a mediocre number making it dance in an array of moves. But regardless of how animated a performer Harp is, she's often led down by the songs. Grammaticians must be exasperated by the title of the lead single "Boy Like Me." Grammar aside, "Boy Like Me" is a fun high school-ish crush of song that is made even more dreamy with Keith Urban's napalm guitar riffs. The title cut "A Woman Needs" is another propulsive endeavor. Though the song speaks about justifying the notion of "soaring one's wild oats" against parental wisdom, it lacks depth. Why would the protagonist choose such a sordid path? What propels her along this route? These are questions a seasoned writer would want to explore but yet all left unearthed. Titles such as "Love Letters" and "Breakup Song" actually show you the dearth of lyrical depths of these songs. Don't expect any narrative twist or shafts of insights on these tracks, the titles are pretty as deep as the songs get.

Producer Jerry Flowers doesn't help either. Highly compressed dual lead guitars, layered acoustic guitars and big rocking drums: these are just formulaic modern pop-country songs aimed so readily at radio that they literally backfire. This is no surprise that none of the released singles have helped Harp carved herself a niche as a vital artist. But it's in the moments when Harp is not trying that she actually passes muster. The mournful "Letting Go" and the sensitive "Lonely Anywhere" show that Harp is capable of allowing more of herself to emerge in her songs rather than the superficiality she has had demonstrated thus far. Also the most country track is "Homemade Love" that pushes on all the right buttons rustic. And the vocal accompaniment of Vince Gill certainly adds credibility.

Based on what is heard here on this disc, Harp shouldn't give up her singing profession. Rather, she should give it another shot. She has the potential of bringing out the emotions of the songs she tackles. It's more her song writing prowess that is in question: the abrupt phraseologies, her tendency to be lyrically repetitive, her inability to explore the emotions behind her song concepts, her superficiality of word choices and her lack of use of deftly crafted narratives all are warning signs for her as a writer. Frankly, I would like her to see her record another country album this time with the better Nashville scribes handling the pen work. That would have served Harps' needs well.