Customer Reviews

The Womansong Collection

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

 

 

Gerri Gribi has made a career of collecting folk songs of, about and for women. Not the downtrodden woman, mind you, but the one who more often than not stands strong in the midst of turmoil. This album is a catchy combination of traditional and original tunes, and good old-fashioned story-telling. From the lyrical homesickness of Gribi's original "The Hills of Kentucky" to the toe-tapping yodels of "I Wanna be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" to the chuckle-inducing "The Hunting Song" (an original about deer-hunting season in Wisconsin), the stories are told tunefully and profesionally! Additionally, Gribi's album notes give us background info on each song. If you love folk music, if you love women's music, heck, if you LOVE music, you'll love this CD in your collection.

I first hear Gerri Gribi at a concert several years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure what I expected - a night of music for "women dedicated to the cause" I guess. Sometimes when a performer has a good message to get across, the quality of the music is lacking. Gerri Gribi is dedicated but also has a beautiful voice and style that could sell any commercial album, if she had chosen to take her talents in that direction, which I'm glad she didn't. I especially appreciate the little booklet with all the lyrics and historical backgrounds for the songs. But this is a nice CD just to pop on and listen to, One of my favorites.

Gerri Gribi's work is ground-breaking in the history of women's music. Instead of using her wonderful voice and musical talent to bash the "establishment," she chosen to take a positive approach and present folk and traditional music that portrays women positively. I was amazed at the depth and breadth of these songs, which range from moving ballads to humorous tales to stirring calls to action. The disc contains a full 24 songs plus a detailed booklet with words and history. What a deal! Anyone who is interested in a positive, affirming approach to women's issues or just likes good singing should have this in their collection!

4 years after buying this album, it is still on the list of things I play frequently. Some of the music is really beautiful, and some of the lyrics ("Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here" comes to mind) truly speak to the experiences of my life. When I here my daughters singer these songs around the house, it really makes me smile.

My girlfriend dragged me to Geri's concert saying it would be stuff like the music from O Brother Where Art Thou. I wasn't the only guy there, but close. I was suprised by how much I enjoyed it. I agree with one of the other revewers that this gal could be singing in Nashville. Made me think a lot. I bought a CD for my gilfriend, then borrowed it and never gave it back.