Dress Rehearsal [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
Carolyn Dawn Johnson's sophomore effort proves just what the young Canadian learned the first time out. Where her debut, Room with a View, spawned the pop-ish hit records "Complicated" and "I Don't Want You to Go," it was an uneven effort that too obviously revealed her tentativeness as she made her way from songwriter to artist. Dress Rehearsal, on the other hand, presents a far more mature performer and artful writer. Johnson still maintains what made her special in the first place--her Everywoman approach to life, love, and the pursuit of romantic (now wedded) bliss. As "Simple Life" and "God Doesn't Make Mistakes" show, she's just as insecure as the rest of us, if only more poetic. Thankfully, über-producer Dan Huff restrains himself here, managing to incorporate hyperventilating rock guitar and aggressive percussion without losing a modern country feel, though Johnson might do well to loosen up even more on her beguiling rhythm numbers, particularly "My Little Secret," which reprises the barely contained lust of "Complicated." A pretty face and a winsome personality go a long way, but who wouldn't like to know more about the animal side of those hidden desires? --Alanna Nash

Dress Rehearsal,Carolyn Dawn Johnson,Arista,Contemporary Country,Country,Pop,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating: No Regrets, No Mistakes Superb Sophmore Set By far her best effort yet A Fine Rehearsal Very Cool sophmore effort

Dress Rehearsal Carolyn Dawn Johnson Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Country | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Room With a View Katrina Elam Love & Negotiation Complete Where I Belong ASIN: B0001VOHFC Release Date: 2007-01-08

Tracks:

1. Dress Rehearsal
2. He's Mine
3. Simple Life
4. Die Of A Broken Heart
5. We Talked
6. God Dosen't Make Mistakes
7. Squeezin' The Love Outta You
8. Head Over High Heels
9. My Little Secret
10. Just Another Plane
11. Life As We Know It
12. I'll Let You Go

Amazon.com

Carolyn Dawn Johnson's sophomore effort proves just what the young Canadian learned the first time out. Where her debut, Room with a View, spawned the pop-ish hit records "Complicated" and "I Don't Want You to Go," it was an uneven effort that too obviously revealed her tentativeness as she made her way from songwriter to artist. Dress Rehearsal, on the other hand, presents a far more mature performer and artful writer. Johnson still maintains what made her special in the first place--her Everywoman approach to life, love, and the pursuit of romantic (now wedded) bliss. As "Simple Life" and "God Doesn't Make Mistakes" show, she's just as insecure as the rest of us, if only more poetic. Thankfully, über-producer Dan Huff restrains himself here, managing to incorporate hyperventilating rock guitar and aggressive percussion without losing a modern country feel, though Johnson might do well to loosen up even more on her beguiling rhythm numbers, particularly "My Little Secret," which reprises the barely contained lust of "Complicated." A pretty face and a winsome personality go a long way, but who wouldn't like to know more about the animal side of those hidden desires? --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews:

No Regrets, No Mistakes.......2007-03-23

As the title track exclaims: "Life doesn't wait for us to get it right..I'm going to do my best to make the most of it, avoid regrets..." This multiple award winner from Canada showcases her well-known songwriting ability and excellent voice in this CD, which was co-produced by her as well. I understand her unifying theme to be "enjoy life while you've still got it," and this disk does that well. She didn't write the single "Simple Life," as others have observed, but it fits the overall theme perfectly. "He's Mine" is passionate, a strong song that sounds like a hit. The title track has clever lyrics and would have been a good single also. I look for life-changing songs, and this CD delivers. "We Talked," "God Doesn't Make Mistakes," and "I'll Let You Go" are tender and heartfelt, songs that will affect you.

On this CD, CDJ sounds like a confident veteran; evidently her years of hard work in Nashville paid off. This former Music Row Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year displays not only excellent writing but emotional depth as well. She sounds best while singing about real life; emotions, joy, and pain. My one criticsm/observation is that it feels overproduced at times, much like Faith or Shania for better and worse. Thank You to Amazon for recommending this; their recommendations based on purchases or reviews are right on the money. I eagerly anticipate CDJ's new release later this year. Maybe her new label will enable her to maintain her independence. RECOMMENDED HIGHLY; you won't regret this!

Superb Sophmore Set.......2006-04-05

Carolyn Dawn Johnson's first album was good, but "Dress Rehearsal" is a delight, especially if you like your country with some pop or rock flavor. The album is good when you first listen to it, and thereafter it just continues to grow on the listener. Particularly good are "He's Mine" "Squeezin' the Love Outta You" [delivered with wonderful sass] and "Head Over High Heels" which Carolyn delivers with energy and a playful enthusiasm. Love this disc.

By far her best effort yet.......2005-04-30

Carolyn's first album was okay. To me, it lacked a certain undefinable something that relegated to "just okay" status.

But this one is great. The songs are better, the sound is better, it's just a much more enjoyable album.

Buy it if you like this kind of sound, which is a little pop and a little country and maybe a little folk (oh god! not folk!)(okay, it's not folkish, but the songs have lyrics that are better than the standard country fare, which to me leans toward "folk").

Buy it, you'll like it!

A Fine Rehearsal.......2005-04-18

Prime Cuts: We Talked, God Doesn't Make Mistakes, Just Another Plane

Being the creator of such hits such as "I'd Be Yours" (Linda Davis), "Single White Female" (Chely Wright), "When We Don't Talk" (Ilse DeLange) amongst others, Johnson has parlayed her craft to this her sophomore album "Dress Rehearsal." Save for "Simple Life," Johnson has had a hand in co-writing all of the tracks here. Collaborating with other Nashville writing elite such as Craig Wiseman, Shaye Smith, Charlie Black, Troy Verges, "Dress Rehearsal" is tailored made for radio. It's a polished pop country album offering a cornucopia of songs dealing with topics safely reprised within country music's canon.

Johnson's preference for the rustic life, a theme well explored a la Alan Jackson and Mary Chapin Carpenter, is the thesis of the lead single "Simple Life." "Simple Life" starts off well with an organic feel with some jaunty guitar work but soon gives way to become, in an ironic way, one of Johnson's busiest track. With its tepid melody and suffocating production, "Simple Life" is not my choice for the first single. Much better are "High over High Heels" and "He's Mine"-both peppy, upbeat, pop-country fares that would not be out of place in fellow Canadian vocalist Shania Twain's repertoire.

Living in the aftermath of 9/11 country music, thanks to Tim McGraw, Brad Cotter, Alan Jackson, have been proliferated with songs encouraging us to cherish life and cape diem ("seize the day"). Johnson adds her take on this tired and true theme on the title track "Dress Rehearsal." Without any shove of new insights, nevertheless, Johnson sings home a timely message, "Life doesn't wait for us to get it right... Time is irreversible, this ain't no dress rehearsal."

However, the album's most gratifying moments come when the beat tapers; Johnson's never sounded more sincere than when she sings a ballad. Caressing the lyrics with her mellifluous vocals, Johnson makes the plaintive ballad and current single "Die of a Broken Heart" an event to be experienced. Similarly touching is the therapeutic "We Talked" and the ingratiating "Just Another Plane." The latter, being a little reminiscent of Deana Carter's excellent "People Miss Trains" has a timbre of pain to it that is just moving. Dove tailing Nashville's obsession with songs with inspirational messages, "God Doesn't Make Mistakes" details a homily of self-acceptance that most of us should take to heart. With its restrained guitar backing, Johnson sensitively sings, "I'm ok the way God made me... I'm always gonna be a better me than anyone else. God doesn't make mistake." A track aplomb with relevancy and performed with sensitivity.

However, not all the songs work here. Being too eager to placate the support of country radio, Dann Huff's production is at times too crowded. "Life As We Know It," "Squeezin' the Love out of You," "My Little Secret" (the follow up to Johnson's breakthrough hit "Complicated") are entertaining but forgettable. Maybe, Johnson's also suffering from the second album slum: some of these melodies here are not as strong as her debut effort. Anyway, despite such criticism, there are enough songs here, especially the ballads, that warrant repeated listens to this worthy though not stellar album.

Very Cool sophmore effort.......2005-01-22

Picked up this cd on the day of release as I was very excited for it, beng a huge supporter of her first album. I enjoy this album an awful lot. The lead off single "Simple Life" is just so fun and catchy even though the writing talents of CDJ are not displayed. However another fun tune is "Squeezin The Love Outta You." This one is just a great time. As is "Head over High Heels." I love puttign these tunes on in the car. The title track is an incredibly written tune. CDJ is just a great writer and it shows.
One complaint. Her lyrics are always way above average however, some of them do not neccesarily translate to song. They may be better served as poetry than lyrics. This is nto to say there is a bad song on the album, it is just that some of the feel is not as good as it could be with these weighty lyrics.

Average customer rating:

Dress Rehearsal Carolyn Dawn Johnson Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000E5E7P0

Product Description

12 songs - Although CD does not have "Enhanced" logo, the back says "Includes Bandlink Softward Connection for Access to Bonus CD Extras."

Average customer rating:

Dress Rehearsal Carolyn Dawn Johnson ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Country | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0007WQE88 Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

1. Dress Rehearsal
2. He's Mine
3. Simple Life
4. Die of a Broken Heart
5. We Talked
6. God Doesn't Make Mistakes
7. Squeezin' the Love Outta You
8. Head Over High Heels
9. My Little Secret
10. Just Another Plane
11. Life as We Know It
12. I'll Let You Go
13. [CD-ROM Track]

Album Description

Out of print in the U.S.! Sophomore album from the Canadian Country artist, originally released in 2004. 12 tracks including 'He's Mine', 'Simple Life' and the title track.

Average customer rating: The best!

Verdi: Otello/Vinay, Nelli, Valdengo,Toscanini Arthur Newman , Giuseppe Valdengo , Herva Nelli , Leslie Chabay , Nan Merriman , Nicola Moscona , Ramón Vinay , and Virginio Assandri Manufacturer: Guild ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Toscanini, Arturo | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Tristan Und Isolde Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Schwarzkopf · Ludwig · Karajan ASIN: B0001PIZHO Release Date: 2005-01-17

Customer Reviews:

The best!.......2006-08-11

There are lots of recordings of Otello out there, and most of them have something to commend them. This one is not the best all round. Valdengo is perfectly ok, but not the best on record. Neither is Herva Nelli in the top five category. Toscanini is, of course toscanini, but even he is not the reason to have this set. Bye the way: I am not recommending this as the one to get if you are in the one opera- one recording category. No, the reason to have this is that once you have come to love the role of Otello, there is simply no better rendition on disc! Vinay was the greatest (arguably) Otello of his time, and he is simply smashing as the wounded lion of venice. A trumpet of a voice but rich and baritonal: All one might want for the greatest role in one of the finest operas of all time. His "Niun mi tema" is fantastic.! All I can say is: If you love this opera as I do (this is one of the eleven recordings I have of it) you will surely appreciate the best recorded Otello of all time. Frankly, in my opinion, only Giacomini comes close. But that is only my opinion. Buy it!!

Average customer rating: These guys are smooth and good a dazzling display of artistic melodies

Closed Sealed & Gone Dress Rehearsal Manufacturer: The Orchard ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00004STM8 Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

1. West On East
2. Around The Block And Back
3. I Hate White Rabbits
4. Till Death Do Us Part
5. A Different Kind Of Greatness
6. Half Empty Bottle Of Orange Juice

Customer Reviews:

These guys are smooth and good.......2000-05-02

A must have for any lover of good indie rock or emo. Calm, mellow, just plain good. Deep and good.

a dazzling display of artistic melodies.......2000-04-06

A fantastic album for anyone who can appreciate intricate, mellow music that soothes the inner depths of the soul. A must-have for anyone into indie-rock bands, and great escape from the poison on the airwaves.

Average customer rating:

Dress Rehearsal EP The Bomb Bassetts Manufacturer: Lookout Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000000FIS Release Date: 1995-08-18

Tracks:

1. Please Don't Die
2. Just A Thing Of Love
3. A Little Longer Now
4. Things I Don't Forget
5. She's All Mine
6. I Can See Your Smile
7. Million Dollars And A Cadillac

Average customer rating:

Dress Rehearsal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music ASIN: B000IFSGJY Release Date: 2006-09-05

Average customer rating:

Dress Rehearsal Carolyn Dawn Johnson Manufacturer: Sony Custom Marketing Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000N0U12E Release Date: 2006-09-12

Music Album:

1. Earl Scruggs and Friends
2. Easy Come, Easy Go
3. Emotion
4. Every Little Word
5. Family
6. For the Last Time
7. Heart Shaped World
8. Here For The Party (Special Edition) [Enhanced] [Special Edition]
9. Heroes
10. Horsepower

Music Album