Carolyn Dawn Johnson - Dress Rehearsal
by Cheryl Harvey Hill, Staff Journalist
Dress Rehearsal brilliantly showcases the remarkable songwriting talents of Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Although she delivers the songs with a voice that reflects a more temperate and practiced artist than we heard on her debut album, it is the powerful lyrics on this album that make it a standout. This is not surprising since, as a prolific songwriter, Johnson has written songs for an impressive list of her musical peers, including Kathy Mattea, Pam Tillis, Mindy McCready, Jo Dee Messina, Lila McCann, Linda Davis, Patty Loveless, as well as "Single White Female," a number one hit for Chely Wright. She wrote every song on her first album and had a hand in writing eleven of the twelve songs on this one.
If "Life As We Know It" is autobiographical, we can safely assume that Johnson is happily married and, for the most part, life is good. On the other hand, "God Doesn't Make Mistakes," is a revealing glimpse of vulnerability that reminds us that everyone, no matter how talented or beautiful, has moments of self doubt. All of the songs on this album illustrate knowledge that is only acquired through personal growth.
There are several melancholy tunes on the album, but they are reflective of an acquired wisdom, not necessarily sadness. They project a positive message from a soul that has learned to appreciate life. Even the most heartrending song on the album, "I'll Let You Go," despite being about saying goodbye to someone who is dying, is actually an affirmation of life and unselfish love.
As a bonus, there are a couple of nice guest appearances; Amy Grant provides the vocal harmony on "Life As We Know It" and the voice that blends so easily with Johnson's on the chorus of "Die Of A Broken Heart," belongs to none other than Keith Urban.
There will be no sophomore jinx for Johnson. With the Dress Rehearsal behind her, you have an artist who is ready for the limelight.
Carolyn Dawn Johnson - Dress Rehearsal track list:
1) Dress Rehearsal
2) He's Mine
3) Simple Life
4) Die Of A Broken Heart
5) We Talked
6) God Doesn't Make Mistakes7) Squeezin' The Love Out Of You
8) Head Over High Heels
9) My Little Secret
10) Just Another Plane
11) Life As We Know It (Guest Appearance by Amy Grant)
12) I'll Let You Go
Dress Rehearsal brilliantly showcases the remarkable songwriting talents of Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Although she delivers the songs with a voice that reflects a more temperate and practiced artist than we heard on her debut album, it is the powerful lyrics on this album that make it a standout. This is not surprising since, as a prolific songwriter, Johnson has written songs for an impressive list of her musical peers, including Kathy Mattea, Pam Tillis, Mindy McCready, Jo Dee Messina, Lila McCann, Linda Davis, Patty Loveless, as well as "Single White Female," a number one hit for Chely Wright. She wrote every song on her first album and had a hand in writing eleven of the twelve songs on this one.
If "Life As We Know It" is autobiographical, we can safely assume that Johnson is happily married and, for the most part, life is good. On the other hand, "God Doesn't Make Mistakes," is a revealing glimpse of vulnerability that reminds us that everyone, no matter how talented or beautiful, has moments of self doubt. All of the songs on this album illustrate knowledge that is only acquired through personal growth.
There are several melancholy tunes on the album, but they are reflective of an acquired wisdom, not necessarily sadness. They project a positive message from a soul that has learned to appreciate life. Even the most heartrending song on the album, "I'll Let You Go," despite being about saying goodbye to someone who is dying, is actually an affirmation of life and unselfish love.
As a bonus, there are a couple of nice guest appearances; Amy Grant provides the vocal harmony on "Life As We Know It" and the voice that blends so easily with Johnson's on the chorus of "Die Of A Broken Heart," belongs to none other than Keith Urban.
There will be no sophomore jinx for Johnson. With the Dress Rehearsal behind her, you have an artist who is ready for the limelight.
Carolyn Dawn Johnson - Dress Rehearsal track list:
1) Dress Rehearsal
2) He's Mine
3) Simple Life
4) Die Of A Broken Heart
5) We Talked
6) God Doesn't Make Mistakes7) Squeezin' The Love Out Of You
8) Head Over High Heels
9) My Little Secret
10) Just Another Plane
11) Life As We Know It (Guest Appearance by Amy Grant)
12) I'll Let You Go
