Search - John Cowan :: Comfort & Joy

The best I've ever heard John Cowan's voice--and THAT'S sayi

Nancy | Nashville, TN | 11/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I too have been a John Cowan fan for years. And I agree, it's all about his voice. This is without a doubt the best recording of his voice I've ever heard. It floats above the instruments, sometimes powerful and booming, sometimes gentle and lilting, always sweet and clear, with breathtaking notes hanging suspended and a tiny yodel that makes me giggle every time I hear it. More importantly, it perfectly captures his essence and his spirit--close your eyes and you're standing next to him on stage!



Once you've listened enough times to be sated by his voice, you'll begin to notice the exquisite musicianship of his band and his guests. John Cowan has always had a knack for picking superb musicians, and his current band may well be his best yet. When you get a chance to see them perform, you can't help but notice the respect and camaraderie among them. You can hear and feel it on this CD--that intangible warmth underlying the music.



For me, the most surprising thing about it is that my favorite song isn't "O Holy Night" or "Ave Maria", stunning as they are. It's "Good News". There is something really magical about the uplifting vibration of this song. When I was feeling stressed about an upcoming job interview, I played it over and over on the way to the interview. When I got there, I felt totally confident and calm and got the job. The same happened when I was waiting for the sale of my house to close and was worried about all the things that could make it fall through. I listened to Good News over and over, and the fear just disappeared. It closed without incident. It is the best mood enhancer I've ever heard. Somehow your vibration is entrained by the vibration of the song and you can't stay mad or sad or scared. Or maybe it's because you can't help singing along, and repeating "good news" over and over works like an affirmation. I don't pretend to understand it, but I sure love the effect. It's magical! And kids especially love it.



I'm not a big Christmas fan and rarely listen to Christmas music--as a matter of fact, it generally irritates me because it is played so early and often. But so many of the songs on this CD aren't all that "Christmas-y" and I can listen to them over and over.



So even if you don't usually buy Christmas music, do yourself a favor and make an exception for this one. And if you need a great gift for friends, co-workers, siblings, etc. or for anyone who loves Christmas music, give them their present early and let them enjoy this beautiful music for the entire season."

John Cowan's "Comfort & Joy" a new Christmas classic!

BluesgrassGRL | Nashville TN , USA | 10/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me first state that I am a John Cowan fan, so I am not an impartial observer. I have been a fan of John's since his Newgrass Revival days and am amazed by his talent and dedication to playing his own "brand" of acoustic music. When people go to a John Cowan show, they know he will have amazing musicians and terrific songs to entertain the crowd...they also know they are there for "THE VOICE." Every Cowan fan would tell you that his voice is what made them a fan! The "Comfort and Joy" CD is the PERFECT vehicle to showcase JC's VOICE! From the opening, "Christmas Everyday" to "Go Tell it on the Mountain," you are drawn into the story that he is weaving. You can tell Cowan is excited about this "gift" of Christmas songs and the method of delivery!! There's not a bad song on the CD and his incorporating the vocal talents of several of his friends, like Mike Farris, Bekka Bramlett and Bonnie Bramlett, along with a terrific song written by his step-daughter, Jenny Anne Mannan, "Little Match Girl" that Mannan sings harmony vocals on, shows this CD is about relationships and family! Kind-of like Christmas! :) I am a Christmas CD fanatic, I have 100's of them. Only 1 do I use to decorate the Christmas tree, an old Elvis CD. This year, it will be "Comfort and Joy!" Hope you'll check it out and buy several as gifts, your friends will thank you for it! Merry Christmas! p.s. John's version of "Ave Maria" is worth the cost of the CD alone! Even I was amazed at the range he shows on the song and the serious approach he took to make it a classic. He didn't trivialize the song, he really sang it with technique and breath control. Rock on, JC!"