Search - Karen Jacobsen :: Here In My Heart

Discover her now...

Cristian Asher | Chicago, IL | 11/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Karen Jacobsen several years ago, when she was new to New York (and America), trying out material on Tuesday nights at a little Greenwich Village bar. She built a steady following, and since then her style has blossomed, and she has also put together a producing team worthy of her musical and songwriting talents.

At first, you might think Jacobsen is just another pop pianist princess-- a less angry Alanis, say, or a not-so-angsty Sarah McLachlan. But listen to the complexity of these melodic lines, not to mention the great range of styles and subjects in her songs. Jacobsen can revel in an emotional anthem ("Not Enough") or tenderly stroke a sweet lullaby ("Being Brave") or stand proud with the what should be Oprah's next theme song ("Strong Woman"). She can make you cry ("Here in My Heart"), or lift you up ("You're OK"). And that's before we even get to the travelogues ("London Town") or the heartbreaking ballads ("Don't Miss You"). Throughout, the stunning piano arrangements and clear, floating vocals will transport you.

From her early NYC days at the Duplex, to her more recent appearances at Joe's Pub, or singing the national anthem at a variety of stadiums around the country, or on this pristinely produced CD, Karen Jacobsen is a musical force to be reckoned with. Discover her now, so you can say you were one of the first!"

Learn to Grow

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 07/01/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is my third Karen Jacobsen disc. She recasts some tracks from Being Brave (title track + "Here In My Heart") & As I Am ("Don't Miss You") into a full band arrangement. While I had become enraptured by her simple piano-based arrangements, the transplanted songs work well. "Strong Woman" is an anthem that sounds like a theme song for woman's mental health day. Karen's vocals are the backbone and strength of her performance on the bubbly "The Best I Can." After a handful of listenings to the disc, I keep trying to get traction here as I did on her other discs. Karen's material seems to wash out a bit behind the band, sounding bland, not overly original, "It's not enough to make you disappear; It's not enough to push you away from here; It's not enough for me to know that this is just the way we have to learn to grow." The title track from her "Being Brave" set is a strong melody that fares well with instruments that serve the melody well. Karen Jacobsen is an excellent singer who is developing as an artist. This disc is one that shows growth; however, it comes across a bit faceless without a few great tracks to make it memorable. That said, her performance is always worth hearing. Enjoy!"

Needs to increase the workload .................

MovieMusic | Idyllic Avalon Beach N.S.W. | 09/08/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"She is an OK songwriter and has a sweet voice, but it's not strong enough to justify recording yet. The only answer is much more singing than she's doing now."