hmorgan

I wanted my first CD review to be a special one. That made my choice very easy. I knew it would be "Heather Morgan". I have attended more OKOM shows this year, and bought more CD's, than ever in my life. Still, it was an easy choice.

I sat down and wrote a review for this CD, then suffered a computer crash that was fatal for the review. I wanted to make it a better one anyway, so sat down and re-wrote it. Didn't like it, because it didn't do proper justice to Heather.

So, the third time will hopefully be the charm. Rarely am I at a loss for words, but Heather's music leaves me almost speechless. Her five track, self-titled CD has been the jewel in my crown of musical discovery this year. "Musical Junkie" that I have become, Heather Morgan is the best female artist I have encountered this year, bar none.

At the ripe old age of 21, Heather sings as though she's an old-time seasoned professional. Her vocal range is exquisite, and this CD is a good showing of how beautiful that range is. She's been writing songs for about seventeen years according to her website biography. It shows in her sometimes-clever lyrics, and other times poignant ones. She's also a talented guitar player, and for her CD, chose guitar and mandolin player Stephen Pointer to accompany her.

Perhaps my favorite song on the CD is entitled "Night by the River". Her opening lines to the song grab you from the beginning.

"Won't you take me down to the river if you want to kiss me soft.

We can wade down by the bank but only my shoes are coming off.

When the light falls from the moon up above,

kind of tricks a fool like me into thinking that I'm in love. "

The beautifully played accompanying guitar music enhances the mood of the song, and transports you and your feelings to the place in your soul Heather sings about. It makes me think of my husband...extremely powerful.

There is a good variety of Heather's style on the CD. From hard blues to love ballad to fun. It's a CD we've listened to a thousand times, and never grown tired of. For the record, I rarely like to listen to an entire CD by one artist. Heather, Fred Eaglesmith, Billy Joe Shaver, Slaid Cleaves, Mary Gauthier, and Brian Burns are those rarities for me. I hold her in very high esteem.

It's not often I see an artist perform not having heard of him or her before. When I first saw Heather on stage, and she began to play, I think many of us were instantly entrapped in her music. She had the voice of an angel. My kids were dancing to her music down in front of the stage, and I could tell they were thrilled when she looked down at them and smiled. When she finished performing, she actually took time to speak with them, and my youngest (3 years old at the time) fell in love right away. In fact, we all did. I then bought the CD from her wonderfully supportive and proud parents, and am glad I did. She signed it to Moose, and it's one of his most precious treasures.

If you don't buy another CD this year, take the time to buy this one. When Nashville begins to respect good music again, I honestly think we'll see this same, sweet, honest girl up on stage, thanking the wonderful family she has, then walking away with new awards added to her resume. And mark my words, my family will be cheering her on.

Written by Dana Jones, August 2001

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