Jude Johnstone On A Good Day CD

 a real jewel
Jude's first cd was a hard act to follow--given it was filled with great songs which had already become famous from the cover performances of other singers. It was great for many reasons--especially to hear her take on songs we thought we knew. But, this new collection is magnificent. Just one great song after another. It would be a surprise and an injustice if several aren't taken up by others in additional cover performances. First, her instrumentalists. Jude accompanies herself with piano on virtually every song--recalling the noble tradition of the singer/songwriter performing from the piano. She knows just how to accompany herself and does it beautifully. Mary Ramsay's violin and viola are superb. Didn't she do the same for Patty Loveless? Co-producer Charles Duncan acquits himself finely on guitar, organ, slide guitar, bass and poignantly on pennywhistle. He also does some backing vocals, along with an amazingly talented group of others--most especially Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Rodney Crowell and Julie Miller. Jude certainly knows how to use these voices to particular advantage in each song. What can I say about the songs? They are all good, many are great...from the fine title tune which opens the cd to the amazing simple chorus of "Hold On," the sad and lovely "In This House," the poetic and image-filled "Old and Gray" (sung with Julie Miller), "Evelyn"--a wonderful, autobiographical song, the plaintive yet somehow hopeful "Pen and Paper," the sharp imagery and moving chorus of "Deep Water," the painful dilemma expressed so well in "Long Way Back," and the final song--a stellar, lovely tribute to a lost comrade--"The Hereafter" (with an amazing pennywhistle being played). It's a grand, impressive collection. What's amazing, as well, is how Jude--with a dusty, low, narrow-range of a voice--can sing so well and so rightly the emotions expressed in these songs. She's terrific. In spite of the darkness and sadness in many of these songs, Jude finds reason for light and hope in many of them. I hope the talented Lori McKenna is listening and can find similar light and hope in future songs. She didn't in those on BITTERTOWN.
Submitted by davidtsteere (Annapolis, MD, USA)
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