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On a Good Day by Jude Johnstone
fave it - sampleOn a Good Day
- sample20 Years
- sampleHard Lessons
- sampleHold On
- sampleIn This House
- sampleOld and Gray
- sampleEvelyn
- samplePen and Paper
- sampleDeep Water
- sampleLong Way Back
- sampleThe Hereafter
Showcases Johnstone's trademarks of meaningful lyrics and memorable melodies. The songs reveal an artist who is unafraid to dive into deep emotional waters. Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Rodney Crowell and Julie Miller make guests appearances.
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Editorial review
Since Jude Johnstone writes and sings her own songs, it would be fairly easy to peg her as a typical singer/songwriter. But her soulful vocals and knack for writing down-to-earth lyrics seems to reach beyond the typical with On a Good Day. Johnstone never really belts out the words like Bonnie Raitt or Tony Price, but she delivers songs like the title track and "Deep Water" in a slow, Southern groove that recalls both singers. The languid pace allows her to wrap her voice around a song like "Old and Gray," bringing an emotional depth to the tender lyric. The piano-violin-bass-drum arrangements provide spare but resonant backing, allowing Johnstone plenty of cushion to sing against, while a series of backup vocalists add nice touches here and there. All of these elements work together to bring out the best in each song. It also helps that Johnstone's lyrics are never pretentious or overly "deep" and vague. Story songs like "Evelyn" actually tell a story, while the soulful "Hold On" works as a simple ode to the human spirit. While it might have been nice if McDonnell had included more up-tempo songs, On a Good Day is nonetheless a nicely made album, filled with well-sung songs. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
Bio / Background
"Intimate, honest, haunting, majestic." These are the words used to describe Jude Johnstone's critically acclaimed debut CD, Coming of Age, released in 2002. These characterizations also apply to Jude's new CD, On A Good Day. Jude Johnstone is an award-winning songwriter whose songs have been covered by a stellar list of recording artists including Johnny Cash ("Unchained"), Bonnie Raitt ("Wounded Heart"), Trisha Yearwood ("Hearts in Armor," "The Woman Before Me," "When We Were Still in Love"), Bette Midler, Stevie Nicks and Jennifer Warnes.
Johnstone has made her living as a songwriter for over 20 years, but the experience of recording these two projects presented a new inspirational and reflective journey for her. She describes how On A Good Day was given life:
"I was in a hotel room in Nashville listening to an old Tom Waits record and thinking what a great storyteller he is and it just prompted me to reflect on some stories from my upbringing in Maine.
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