Search - Shana Morrison :: 7 Wishes

Move Over, Dad...

Gregory Wallace | Memphis, TN | 04/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As Van Morrison's music continues to reflect a serious lack of focus and effort, along comes his daughter Shana Morrison to give us back that strong, R&B/Blues-y voice that her father once thrilled us with over 30 years ago. Shana's last record, "Everybody's Angel", gave us a glimpse of an artist struggling to come to terms with the enormous legacy and gift she's been given. The songs "Joey" and "Everybody's Angel" made this listener hope that Shana would bear down and find her own powerful voice, both in singing and songwriting. Now, with "7 Wishes", Shana shows us what she's fully capable of: strong, pop-oriented radio-friendly songs like "Smoke In Bed" ... rhythmic, guitar-based numbers like the soulful, Macy Gray-ish "I Spy"... and tender, moving ballads such as "Would I Could", a song reminiscent of the best of Sarah McLaughlin or Jann Arden. With songs as good as these, it's hard to see why Miss Morrison would bother to include 2 of her father's songs. One would have been plenty; her cover of Van's "Sometimes We Cry" is an unqualifed success, touching and tender, without being sappy in the least. Credit Vanguard and her producers with surrounding Shana with excellent musicians here, especially the ineffable Sonny Landreth on some of the most lovely slide-guitar work this side of Ry Cooder. But the superior musicianship is merely a frame for the picture: Shana's voice -- shimmering, soulful, playful, and sexy -- is what brings me back to "7 Wishes" over and over."

Cutting her own path

Nicholas L. Divita | Kansas City, MO USA | 09/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"No mistakes here. She has a lilting, sexy voice. Sure it helps to be Van Morrison's kid, but this is just really, really good stuff. Sadly, I would not have even known to buy it were she not Van's kid, but this is a worthwhile addition to anyone's music collection no matter who she is. Good beats, good rhythyms, memorable tunes. It's all here. There might be one dud song on the CD, but 90% of it is great. Not too many CDs you can say that about. Don't bother comparing her to dad or anyone else because it doesn't matter."

The Voice!!

Susan D. Mahan | West Harwich, Ma. United States | 07/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Her Dad is known as "The Voice," but now her time has come
I put Seven Wishes on my changer, and the healing has begun
From the catchy hook in "I Spy" to the sitar inflected "Connection"
There's a juicy sandwich in between on Shana's new productionTake your pick, or may I suggest some of my faves
"A Song for the Broken", surely is one - nothing but raves
Next up is "St. Christopher", Shana breaks your heart
Her voice, strong and beautiful - time and space stand apart
"Sometimes we Cry", another gem, Shana makes this song her own
The help from Dad was lovely, but her voice is now full blown"Would I Could" and "Day after Yes" should climb the pop charts
"Cherry on Top", a naster rocker invokes pop tarts
"God Must Love Me", a testifying spiritual rocker
On this one, Shana don't need no help in finding Heaven's knockerThe whole CD smokes in bed
Our wishes - more than seven granted
With "The Voice" and amazing rangeHer future is securely plantedThe thing that irks is the comparison
To Alanis, Macy and Jan
When none of the above come close
to the "The Voice" of Shana Morrison."