WOOOOO-HOOOOO!!!!!
Holy crap, this chick kicks out some smooth, powerful vocals! I thought I was taking a bit of a chance with only 30 sec cuts in advance, but "Miss Understood" paid off in spades. This lady sings several different styles on a great set of songs and every one with a really-right feel. Tight crew of backing blusicians coming outta the Austin blues scene too.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Just goes to show, the best musicians aren't always famous
P. J. Lovell | Austin, TX United States | 06/05/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had the good fortune to discover Carolyn back in 1993 when she had just gotten out of high school. She was amazing then, and she has only grown as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Check out her website - [..]and her MySpace page. She's touring the US this summer, and if you're a blues fan, she's not to be missed. Enjoy the little gal from Texas with the GREAT BIG VOICE."
Great CD
James W. Brandt | Arkansas | 01/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Take the best parts of Janis Joplin, Marcia Ball and Susan Tedeski, mix them together and you get CAROLYN WONDERLAND. Great album. Boy can she play the guitar."
She's amazing! Who is she??????????????
D. Krstulovich | Oak Park, IL | 03/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You don't have to listen to too many samples to realize that Carolyn has exactly the right name - and all the right stuff, too. Thanks, Amazon. Finally your song samples do just what they are supposed to do! Can't wait to own this CD....Come to Chicago, Carolyn! Why should Texas have all the fun?!"
"Carolyn Wonderland is a new name to me. She's an oldskool blues-rocker with a muscular vocal style lying somewhere between Jonell Mosser and Janis Joplin. Carolyn plays lead guitar on many tracks, and boy can she play - she doesn't miss a lick! The supporting musicians are new to me as well - except drummer Jamie Oldaker and Cindy Cashdollar who plays dobro on 'The Farmer Song'. I'm assuming that some of the musicians are from her road band - their playing is tight, together, and very much on Carolyn's wavelength. The album was produced, recorded and mixed in Austin, Texas - which, more or less, says it all.
Just reading a little bit about the lady, she is sometimes referred to as a blues singer; I wouldn't describe the music on this album as 'blues', although it is very 'bluesy' at times. Much of the time, Carolyn rocks - and rocks hard; but there are a few songs of a more subdued nature. Most of the songs are originals written/co-written by Carolyn and/or the band members; there are 2 covers of songs originally performed by Rick Derringer/Johnny Winter and J J Cale, and 3 covers of songs written and performed by other Texas-based artists (Terri Hendrix and Bruce Robison). Some brief comments about my favourite tunes :
MISUNDERSTOOD (Carolyn Wonderland) - terrific opener with a backbeat guaranteed to get your foot tapping and your hips swaying, Carolyn plays lap steel - including a 1 minute solo.
I FOUND THE LIONS (Terri Hendrix/Lloyd Maines) - mid-tempo rocker with a funky horn/sax arrangement.
TROUBLE IN THE CITY (J J Cale) - a new lease of life for this song; it's another one which grooves on the backbeat, check out the rolling piano too.
THROW MY LOVE (Terri Hendrix) - great blues-rock with some tasty electric guitar playing from Carolyn, and she belts out the vocals like there was no tomorrow.
FEED ME TO THE LIONS (Carolyn Wonderland) - haven't a clue what genre this song belongs to, it's a little bit quirky in style and structure; swirling strings plus electric piano (no other instruments are played).
As with most albums that I buy, there are 2 maybe 3 tracks that I will probably skip; but nevertheless, 'Miss Understood' is a solid album of high-octane music from a multi-talented artist and accomplished musicians."
Brilliant
Uselessgoo | Austin, TX | 11/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Miss Understood is the album of the year. Every song is powerful and her voice just gives me shivers she is so good. If you get a chance to see her live GO!"