24-year-old
Ginny Owens makes her debut with this stunning collection of gut-wrenchingly honest R&B ballads, edgy rockers, and killing-you-softly-with-her-song spiritual love letters. From traditional Irish hymns ("Be Thou My Vision") to joyous soul celebrations ("Free") and passionate, goose-bump inducing declarations, ("If You Want Me To") this singer/songwriter/keyboardist manages to outwit, out-emote, and generally outdo any contrived, saccharine R&B acts. Like
Al Green,
Aretha Franklin, and
Bobby Womack before her,
Owens has the divine ability to sing her praises in such a sultry, convincing style that casual listeners might never realize the depth of her lyrics, or who she's really singing to. A refreshing, positive voice in the wilderness and one worth keeping an ear out for. ~ Tom Hallett