Search - Cindy Morgan :: Postcards

Take Time to View Morgan's "Postcards"

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 03/19/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Postcards, Deep, Oh What Love



What is a postcard? Due to its brevity, a postcard at its best, contains the most succinct thoughts of the sender accompanying by a snapshot of the place of pilgrimage. Without the cloak of an envelope, the postcard's message is immediate as well as perspicuous. Such a communiqué is the tenor of Cindy Morgan's 7th studio CD "Postcards." Offering snapshots of her life, faith and relationships over the last 5 years since her last album, this latest release is perhaps this 6 times Dove Award Winner's most bona fide effort. Musically, she has teamed up with Wayne Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick not only co-writes with Morgan on 4 tracks, but he also produced the disc. Kirkpatrick, who has helmed records by contemporary Christian acts such as Michael W. Smith, Kim Hill and Wes King, has expanded his services to country artists such as Little Big Town and Wynonna Judd. Naturally, those who are observant would detect a myriad of influences on "Postcards" from country to soft rock to adult contemporary pop to Appalachian folk.



Destined to be one of her signature tunes is the single and title cut "Postcards." A soft rock ballad coming from Morgan's pen, this deftly written number chronicles the sojourning of a 17 year old prodigal. Searching for meaning through running away and exploring options (including calling in vain on the name of Buddha), she finally comes to her senses in arms of Jesus. A poignant story-song told with great verve, Morgan's performance is pact with an emotional punch that ought to strike a chord with any listener. "Deep," the album's opening track, entrees a spiritual longing for Christ, a theme that pulsates through the album. With a clangorous beat and a driving melody, "Enough" is another amicable tune about the battle of works over faith in securing the pleasures of Christ.



Another aspect that is so rewarding in listening to "Postcards" is that Morgan knows how to dress her theology in denim. This means that she does not sing about God in abstraction, but she does relate the lofty to the humdrum. Inspired by her visit to a women's prison, "Where You Are" is about God's forgiveness for the perfidy; the genuineness of the song is brought out through the street-like pseudo hip hop flavor. And with great ingenuity, she takes the celestial praise of the king and dresses it up with simple rhetoric on piano-based hymn-like ballad "Oh What Love."



However, not everything works: the Appalachian leaning ballad "The River" just drags on and on without a coherent melody line. Also, "Mother," though a touching ballad about maternal love is compromised by its inferior melody. The same can be said about "Dig Up" and "Come Home." Overall, "Postcards" as a collection does have some that are ear grabbing and soul satisfying. Yet not all of them are as piquant as they could be. This is by no means Morgan's greatest CD, but there are enough snapshots and succinct messages that allow God to breathe His comfort, healing and presence to all who would have time to view a postcard."

Producer Wayne Kirkpatrick and Cindy Morgan make this a post

Michael Dalton | Eureka, CA United States | 03/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If a producer's job is to bring out the best in an artist, Wayne Kirkpatrick (Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Wynonna) succeeds admirably on Postcards, Cindy Morgan's debut recording on Reunion Records.



You can hear a producer's influence. Artists and producers like Charlie Peacock and Jeff Johnson leave a distinctive mark. The challenge for the producer is to draw out the uniqueness of the artist without being too obtrusive. The finished product should make the artist shine and that's the case on this release.



But Kirkpatrick's imprint is unmistakable. He has not only co-written four songs, but plays a variety of instruments and sings background vocals as well.



It's apparent from the two opening songs, which lean toward rock, that Kirkpatrick has helped Morgan to achieve a more modern sound. You still get the piano pop and ballads that you would expect, but some songs have more of an edge.



Scattered throughout are a variety of acoustic and electric instruments-some not so common. The list includes dulcimer, manditar, ukelele, Weisenborn, Harmonium, National Guitar, Wurlitzer, pencil guitar. They make for a more organic sound, and to top it off, Tom Howard adds string arrangements to some of the tracks.



Some of the finest and best studio musicians bring this to life, but Morgan's songwriting and vocals and the production make this one of her best recordings. The songs, which are loaded with personal reflections and spiritual content, strike a wonderful balance. They sound good and there is plenty of depth.



"Postcards" could easily become another number one song for her. "Mother" is a painfully honest summary of the struggles she has had with her mom. It tells the story of many mother and daughter relationships.



"Glory" is one of the highlights with its world-weary sentiments and the wistful look toward heaven on the chorus. "Oh What Love" is a quiet, pensive ballad. The inspiration came from a drawing titled "My Vision of Heaven" by her then four-year-old daughter.



"Eternal Sunshine" is high-energy and creatively offers an uncommon reflection: "Someone in the Universe / Is waking up to see / Eternal Sunshine." Cindy's layered background and harmony vocals make the chorus sound sublime.



The chorus on "Come Home" ought to lighten the load of those who feel estranged. "Come home / Haven't you fought long enough / On your own / Don't turn back / You're not the outcast / You're who we have been waiting on / To come home." This is a simple song with just ukelele, acoustic guitar, melodica and background vocals by Kirkpatrick. The ukelele creates a pleasant background for the longing in Cindy's voice.



The recording closes with "The River" another stripped-down song that has a gospel-feel. It's a call to come to the Father and "dive in like children do." Like so many of the songs, it offers encouragement and comfort for those who are burdened. As "Where You Are" reminds us: "You're never too late / You're never too lost."



Hopefully, this won't be the last collaboration between these two talented individuals.

"

Pleased

James M. Brennan | 02/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Cindy's from her first album, and I'm glad the 4-1/2 year wait is finally over. Cindy's music has meant a lot to me. Somehow she gives words to what I am feeling, or helps me work things through.



I'm enjoying Postcards, but it's taking me longer than most of hers. I would put it in the same category as The Loving Kind, her Easter-themed disc. Both of them are like a rich dessert - you can't just shove it in your mouth - you have to savor it and appreciate it over time.



My favorite so far is God Meets You Where You Are:



He came down to the Earth

Up to the Cross

You're never too late

You're never too lost

God meets you where you are



Other standouts for me are Postcards, Dig, and Mother, which has already made both me and my girlfriend shed a tear with it's honesty.



If you're a hardcore Cindy Morgan fan, you've probably already bought it. If you're not, start with Listen or Elementary, as they are more accessible on first listen.



That said, I'll be playing Postcards over and over for at least a week, and loving every minute of it, before I go back to my regular CD rotation."