Search - Jude Johnstone :: On a Good Day

Leaves you wanting more

Rodney A. Soares | Tulare, CA | 03/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have only one complaint about this CD: It's too short!



By the time the last track begins, I'm already wishing it was a double album or, better yet, a box-set with 100 tracks of new and old material, demos, covers, Christmas songs, commercial jingles, and Jude singing phone book listings. I just don't want the music to end.



I first heard Jude perform when she opened for Shawn Colvin last year at a show in California, and I truly can't remember the last time I've had such a strong initial reaction to a performer. I remember specifically being floored by her performance of "Doesn't Anybody Know But Me" from her first CD, Coming of Age, and "Old and Gray" from this CD. Although I was there to see Shawn Colvin, I must admit that Jude stole the show that evening with her performance and gained a life-long fan in me.



It seems that every review written about Jude's CDs makes note of the fact that Jude has written hits for many top artists like Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, and Stevie Nicks. While that does bear repeating here as further testimony to Jude's talent and reputation as a top-notch songwriter, it shouldn't overshadow Jude's talent as the exceptional performer she has proven herself to be on stage and on both her albums.



Jude's second CD, like her first, is filled with highly emotional and intelligent music which will appeal to music lovers who demand substance in their music-listening experience. Jude's music requires "active listening" and is not, as Jude terms it, "music to cook by." Although the instrumentation on this CD is beautiful in and of itself, it is not by any means merely pleasant background music. To fully appreciate the CD (and Jude's complete body of work for that matter) one must really listen to the lyrics as well. All the tracks on this CD tell interesting stories of life's everyday occurrences--of "busted heart[s]" and watching "friends go one by one"--all told through Jude's use of vivid imagery and storytelling.



Her most obvious "story" song is "Evelyn." The lyrics tell of Jude's arty (for lack of a better word) great-aunt who was expected to become the next "Clara Bowe or...Harlow" until a fire left her disfigured and relegated to "playing piano for the silent shows." Jude's impeccable word choice makes the young girl's heartache palpable to the listener while completely avoiding the maudlin tone a less-talented writer would likely have set in telling such a story.



Jude uses some wry humor in "20 Years," to recount the story of the decay of a marriage. Jude tells of a wife who, when dealing with her husband, cannot "connect the dots on his page" and the husband who sardonically states, "Go ahead and take the kids/ I'll see them twice a year." The potentially depressing topic of divorce becomes almost deceptively lighthearted in the adept hands of the songwriter.



A personal favorite is the last track, "The Hereafter." Written about the death of a family member, the song manages to be inspirational without being preachy or precious. This track contains two of the most poignant and affective uses of imagery on the album: "...the sky up above us/ Is filled with red wings/ As they welcome you/ In the hereafter" and the CD's last line, "Now the wind's at your back/ And whatever you lack/ You will find it/ Out in the hereafter." Pure lyrical perfection like this, coupled with a beautiful and memorable melody, makes this track a standout while also representing ALL the tracks on this CD.



In the title track Jude sings of being left "wanting more." After listening to this CD you will feel the same way."

A real jewel

David T. Steere, Jr. | Annapolis, MD United States | 02/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jude's first cd was a hard act to follow--given it was filled with great songs which had already become famous from the cover performances of other singers. It was great for many reasons--especially to hear her take on songs we thought we knew. But, this new collection is magnificent. Just one great song after another. It would be a surprise and an injustice if several aren't taken up by others in additional cover performances.



First, her instrumentalists. Jude accompanies herself with piano on virtually every song--recalling the noble tradition of the singer/songwriter performing from the piano. She knows just how to accompany herself and does it beautifully. Mary Ramsay's violin and viola are superb. Didn't she do the same for Patty Loveless? Co-producer Charles Duncan acquits himself finely on guitar, organ, slide guitar, bass and poignantly on pennywhistle. He also does some backing vocals, along with an amazingly talented group of others--most especially Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Rodney Crowell and Julie Miller. Jude certainly knows how to use these voices to particular advantage in each song.



What can I say about the songs? They are all good, many are great...from the fine title tune which opens the cd to the amazing simple chorus of "Hold On," the sad and lovely "In This House," the poetic and image-filled "Old and Gray" (sung with Julie Miller), "Evelyn"--a wonderful, autobiographical song, the plaintive yet somehow hopeful "Pen and Paper," the sharp imagery and moving chorus of "Deep Water," the painful dilemma expressed so well in "Long Way Back," and the final song--a stellar, lovely tribute to a lost comrade--"The Hereafter" (with an amazing pennywhistle being played). It's a grand, impressive collection. What's amazing, as well, is how Jude--with a dusty, low, narrow-range of a voice--can sing so well and so rightly the emotions expressed in these songs. She's terrific.



In spite of the darkness and sadness in many of these songs, Jude finds reason for light and hope in many of them. I hope the talented Lori McKenna is listening and can find similar light and hope in future songs. She didn't in those on BITTERTOWN."