Customer Reviews

You're Not Alone

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While every Essra Mohawk album has more than a few gems, to these ears "You're Not Alone" is the singer-songwriter's most sparkling stone in years. Here, everything comes together: organic/rootsy instrumentation (incredibly produced by Jon Tiven), tight/well-written songs with wonderfully-inspiring lyrics, and some of the most powerfully soulful and sensitive vocals of Ms. Mohawk's storied career.

"People take for granted what they have close by," Essra sings in the title track. Well, the world has the maginificent Mohawk as close by as the CD player, and don't take her for granted. Just thank God for the gift.

This is definitely a grower. For those of us who love the sound of Essra alone at the piano, some readusting is required, since this is a bluesy-rock, guitar-driven affair, and less in keeping with the earlier albums. But perseverence pays off - not only does this album contain Essra's best vocals in years, it also features very spirited, dymanic and inspired songs. Any Bonnie Raitt or Maria Muldaur fan would enjoy this, with the added bonus that the artist actually wrote the songs. And it's the best Essra album cover since the 70s.

The general public also ignores Essra Mohawk, who just refuses to go away. She's like the roaches in my apartment. I spray all the Raid I have but they still come back. 30 years ago she was a Laura Nyro imitator. In the 1970's she ripped off everyone from Leon Russell to Etta James to Donna Summer (that awful howling/shrieking quasi disco album she did with the coked out flower photograph on the cover). In the mousse haired 80's it was the synthetic new wave and Cyndi Lauper sound. The 90's she tried to ride the country linedancing haycart, and now it's blues. Damn, doesn't this woman have a style of her own? Given, her voice isn't bad but it has deteriorated badly after so many years and it not near the several octave soprano of yore. If you like this style of music you're much better off buying the latest releases by Tracy Nelson and Maria Muldaur. At least those women have their hearts in the blues and not just their wallets.