Search - Prudence Johnson :: Prudence-Songs of Greg Brown

Pure delight

04/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Greg Brown, probably the premiere folksinger in the Midwest, has a wonderful dark whisky voice, but it's a delightful surprise to get the chance to hear his songs performed via Prudence Johnson's crystalline tones. Prudence is a sometimes co-performer of Greg's, and (like many of us) an almost reverential fan, and this terrific disc superbly shows Brown's genius for songwriting. I almost like her renditions of "Just a Bum" and "Band of Gold" better than Greg's!"

High potential cut a little short by vocal range

dasmith@iei.net | U.S.A. | 08/22/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Prudence's voice is lovely and flexible on most of this fine disc, but she lacks the lower range for the bluesier numbers "Just a Bum" and "Who Woulda Thunk It," leaving an odd empty space which Brown would have filled with his quavering baritone. This probably could have been corrected by thickening and sharpening the drum and bass sound on these two tracks. Again, though, the rest of the disc is sometimes fabulous, especially her unhurried renditions of "Wash My Eyes" and "The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home." The entire band performance is also commendable, notably the pithy contributions from Dean Magraw and Peter Ostroushko."

GREG BROWN SONGS SUNG BY A GREAT VOICE

Anthony C. Slikas | 02/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EVER WONDER WHAT GREG BROWN SONGS WOULD SOUND LIKE IF SOMEONE WHO COULD SING SANG THEM...WONDER NO MORE PRUDENCE FULFILLS THAT WONDER HERE...THE SONGS ARE JUST FABOLOUS SONGS AND TO PUT A VOICE WITH THEM ALL FACETS OF THE EQUATION ARE NOW SATISFIED..THANK YOU GREG BROWN FOR WRITING THEM AND THANK YOU EVEN MORE TO PRUDENCE FOR SINGING THEM IN SUCH A FINE WAY."