Jenny
Van West
Happiness to Burn
Happiness to Burn 2:35 Live in a New
Way 3:35 Never Alone 3:55 45 2:30 Where I Stand 3:34 Empty Bowl 3:04
Twenty-Seven Dollars 2:59 Thresholds 3:29 Can’t Have You Now 3:22 Embers 3:00
I guess I should begin by saying
Merry Christmas. For me, it ain’t so merry. I have a lot of work to do to get
this first book out for my publishing company, still. It seems I am basically
locked in this office for most of the week, with a few short jumps to the gas
station for smokes. I normally attempt to try to stay away from the musicians
that have one name made up of three, but I am actually happy I tried this one,
so far.
Happiness to Burn, throws one back to a different
time and place. Maybe a piano bar, in black and white, as a stunning woman
takes the stage dressed in a scarlet silk ballroom gown. That sultry sexy voice
piercing the fog as it reaches in and grasps every inch of your body. This is
what I consider a phenomenal entrance.
Live in a New Way, a much different sound. I would
classify this as folk, or maybe lite rock. She really does have a voice that
seems to be able to transcend genres. This one displays her songwriting talent
more than anything else. She is that true singer/songwriter that I haven’t
heard in a very long time.
Never Alone,is much more of a soft lonely
country ballad. It’s the kind of song written while on the road, longing to get
home. She really depicts that feeling of the lonely traveler. This is another
tune that will help you understand the powerful lyrics she has penned.
45,had me guessing when I saw the
title. The piano solo in this song is amazing, it kinda reminds me of music
from the early days of rock & roll. It was refreshing to finally find out
what the song was about. SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS SONG IS ABOUT ON YOUR
OWN DON’T READ THE NEXT SENTENCE. It’s about the old 45 records.
And the last song on the album, Embers,
is a beautiful way to go out. The piano, the violin or maybe one of the other
instruments that was brought in on this album by professionals. An amazing song
played at just about the right time for me. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and the
cold has ushered in just for the holiday. I’d love to be sitting at the hearth
watching the embers as the burning wood crackles.
I liked this album. It’s got your
country, your folk, a bit of slow jazz and Americana. It was very
professionally done with musicians brought in that really just bolster and
accentuate her remarkable talent. It is definitely worth a listen all the way
through, and I would suggest it to anyone.
Jeremy
Frost for Country Music News International