Women of Country - The Internet's #1 Guide to Female Country Music

Album Review

Jenny Simpson - Jenny Simpson
Mercury Records

Country music has been taken over by "pop diva" syndrome. It seems as though ever female country artists feels the need to belt every song out with a vicious energy, like they have something to prove. Because of this it's always refreshing when an artist comes along who realizes that you can put together effective songs with a relaxed, conservative vocal approach. Jenny Simpson is one of those artists. On her debut collection Simpson presents us with a collection of tastefully performed tunes. They might be standard Nashville material, but it's refreshing regardless.

The album opens with the debut single "Ticket Out Of Kansas." Some of you might already be familiar with the song. Regina Regina cut the song on their debut album. Reba McEntire also had her eye on the song but never recorded it. Well, Jenny has simply cut the best version of the song to date. Her mellow vocal style makes you feel like she's sitting in the room singing to you. The comical "Even When You're Not There (Get A Life)," would make a good choice for a follow-up single. The albums best track is found in "Little Miracles." If the material sounds somewhat like an Trisha Yearood tune that might be because Simpson worked with Garth Fundis on this record. "Foolish As That May Be," contains a classic country story line and is just flat out addictive. The fun loving "So I Kissed Him," is another winner and definitely single material. The duet with Michael Peterson "Grow Young With You," is catchy.

Simpson also can deliver some breathtaking ballads. "One Word," is a heartbreaking ballad ("She just said one word/He wanted three/He didn't know his heart could break so easily"). Jenny's vocal performance is so powerful that you feel like you're the one experiencing the events in the song. It only gets better with "You," one of the best love songs I've heard in a long time ("Our first kiss was everything I missed/And the moment when I finally knew/The difference in the dream and the dream coming true is you").

Jenny Simpson's debut release is one of the best debut releases to come around in awhile. Hopefully another record label will pick her up (Mercury dumped her before she even really had a chance) so we can hear more of this distinct voice. You owe it to yourself to give this album a shot.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.