Skylab
Reviewerus Prolificus
I had high hopes for Joan Osborne's new release, Pretty Little Stranger. Seems Joan got the idea she should try to release a country album. Much of it was recorded in Nashville, and Allison Krauss and Rodney Crowell make guest shots.
Unfortunately, it doesn't come off. Joan is possessed of a wonderful voice, but she isn't a good songwriter, or arranger. Her one mega-hit album, 1995's terrific "Relish", was essentially an album written and performed by the band The Hooters, with Joan singing. It was a terrific album. But her attempts since to write songs have fallen flat. 2002's "How Sweet It Is" showed she doesn't arrange very well either, as most of these covers of truly wonderful songs weren't married well to her wondefrul voice. This proves true again on "Pretty Litte Stranger", where her cover of the Grateful Dead's "Brokedown Palace", which I had high hopes for, falls totally flat. the song "Holy Waters" where Krauss sings backup has her barely audible, which is an opportunity lost. And the Crowell tune is pretty decent, but still doesn't excel.
One positive thing is the sonics - the recording is excellent, with powerful and deep bass, very warm and natural overall. It's certainly demo-quality sound-wise. Too bad I won't want to play it.
I have seen Joan live in the very intimate setting of Chicago's Park West, as well as singing with the post-Garcia The Dead, and she truly does have an amazing voice. But her career is doomed to singing with Phil Lesh and Friends if she continues to release albums like this one. Really a shame.
Unfortunately, it doesn't come off. Joan is possessed of a wonderful voice, but she isn't a good songwriter, or arranger. Her one mega-hit album, 1995's terrific "Relish", was essentially an album written and performed by the band The Hooters, with Joan singing. It was a terrific album. But her attempts since to write songs have fallen flat. 2002's "How Sweet It Is" showed she doesn't arrange very well either, as most of these covers of truly wonderful songs weren't married well to her wondefrul voice. This proves true again on "Pretty Litte Stranger", where her cover of the Grateful Dead's "Brokedown Palace", which I had high hopes for, falls totally flat. the song "Holy Waters" where Krauss sings backup has her barely audible, which is an opportunity lost. And the Crowell tune is pretty decent, but still doesn't excel.
One positive thing is the sonics - the recording is excellent, with powerful and deep bass, very warm and natural overall. It's certainly demo-quality sound-wise. Too bad I won't want to play it.
I have seen Joan live in the very intimate setting of Chicago's Park West, as well as singing with the post-Garcia The Dead, and she truly does have an amazing voice. But her career is doomed to singing with Phil Lesh and Friends if she continues to release albums like this one. Really a shame.
