Joanne O'Brien Isn't It Always Love CD

For her initial album, Joanne O'Brien has selected a play list of tunes composed for the most part by vocal contemporaries who have influenced her. This group includes adult contemporary and folk singers Cheryl Wheeler, Karla Bonoff, and Natalie Merchant. There's also a Beatles tune, one by urban vocalist queen Donna Summer, and two standards. O'Brien has all the tools: she stays in tune, has good diction, and a pretty voice. Why, then, are the results disappointing? The reason is that while the play list seems varied, in actuality almost every track has that cloying, lifeless fashion often used by folk and adult contemporary vocal performers. The tempo rarely breaks away from a singsong pace. After listening for a while, one gets the feeling that the bulk of the material is written by the same person using different names or, if different people, they come from the same composing cookie-cutter. One wonders why both performer and producer allow this talent to be wasted on such lightweight material. There are a few cuts that allow O'Brien to break out of the mold, such as on "That's All" and a lovely "Dream a Little Dream of Me." As they embark upon this classic standard, one can almost hear the sigh of relief from pianist John Boswell, LML's house pianist, who usually finds himself in the company of lusty voiced performers who do substantive material. This album is out of character for LML, whose catalogue features cabaret and music from Broadway. Hopefully, next time around, more wisdom and imagination will be applied to the selection of the album's material. ~ Dave Nathan

For her debut CD, Isn't it always love, Joanne O'Brien teamed with award-winning producer, John Boswell, who has created incredible arrangements that showcase Joanne's talents with sophisticated elegance."One of New York's ten most promising vocalists." - Cabaret Hotline

Recorded at Private Island Trax, Hollywood, California.

Personnel: David Boswell (acoustic guitar); Stefanie Fife (cello); John Yoakum (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone); John Boswell (piano, keyboards); M.B. Gordy (drums, snare drum, percussion).

Recording information: Private Island Trax, Hollywood, CA.

Photographer: Russell Baer.

Arranger: John Boswell.

Personnel: Joanne O'Brien (vocals); David Boswell (acoustic guitar); Stefanie Fife (cello); John Yoakum (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone); John Boswell (piano, keyboards); Bob Mair (bass); M.B. Gordy (drums, percussion).