Before me sits an overwhelming stack of articles and reviews about Ginny Owens, more than I'm willing to sift through. A lot has been said about this young new artist, and for good reason. She beat out 300 other artists to claim a spot in the Nashville stop of the 1999 Lilith Fair tour, was nominated for the Dove awards, and has this alluring quality to her music that makes you listen. She's also been compared to every major mainstream female vocalist, and I can't help but wonder how Owens feels about that.
Without Condition has a soft and beautiful sound. It's captivating and peaceful, and is simply a joy to listen to. Owens' voice has been compared to angels and doves, but the overused similes are right. When she's at her best the songs build on this quality creating a wonderful harmony between her vocals and the simple instrumentation.
The album starts with a building version of 'Be Thou My Vision' that sets the tone. The songs range from quiet piano ballads to rollicking jazz and even blues. The title track is by far the best on the album with its poetic sense and combination of piano and orchestration. 'Symbol of a Lost Cause' feature brooding blues, and you can take your pick of favorites from the slower songs.
The best part of the album is this sense of personality. The lyrics are intelligent and poetic, but not so deep that I'm lost. I get the feeling that the songs were written by a real, thinking person who is struggling through life just like I am. Which is exactly who Owens is. I even get the feeling she'd rather be called Ginny.
Which finally brings me to the most interesting part about Ginny Owens--the part I wonder if I should even mention at all. It doesn't detract from the CD at all, although I can see how excessively focusing on it would. Ginny Owens is blind. You can draw your own conclusions, but I like the irony of a blind woman with such insight.
Overall Without Condition is pleasantly soft, beautiful and intelligent.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Cathy CourtwrightIt is not often that we hear a glimpse of heaven while on earth, but angelic is exactly how to describe the fresh voice of Rocketown Records' newest family member, Ginny Owens. Owens' debut album, Without Condition, provides us with a celestial-sounding alternative to many pop female artists such as Point of Grace, Crystal Lewis, and CeCe Winans. Many of her lyrics are about everyday topics and…Similar sounding releases
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