Give Up The Ghost

The Grammy-winning artist puts together another excellent collection of songs, highlighted by "Dream." If you're wondering which BC album to choose, they are all good! Plus, Brandi shows up for wonderful performances on "Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration," the tribute album recorded last November in Los Angeles and released earlier this month. Brandi covers "Down to You," does a duet with Kris Kristofferson on "A Case of You," and sings along on "Big Yellow Taxi," the closing cut on the album.

I've had the vinyl release for several days now and am quite pleased while looking forward to acquiring the CD for my car. I've been listening to Brandi Carlile and the Hanseroth brothers since I received a 'song-of-the-day' iTunes card from Starbucks in October of '07 highlighting the song 'Turpentine'. A few of these songs written by Brandi alone are so heartfelt, it truly feels as though she's desperately reaching out to disconnected people in her past.The subtle use of instrumentation and orchestration in this third release is beautifully produced and does not in any way obscure from Brandi's unparalleled voice. She could sing (or yodel) her weekly grocery list, and I would drop what I'm doing to listen... anytime.My current favorite tracks are 'Looking Out' (w/Amy Ray), 'Dying Day', 'Pride And Joy', 'Before It Breaks', and 'Touching the Ground'. Basically the entire album will grow on you. The upbeat song 'Caroline' is a wonderful treat with Elton John playing the piano the way ONLY Elton John can. Highly recommended!

GIVING UP THE GHOST is an excellent album filled with folk-country-pop tinged songs. Brandi Carlile's follow up to the exceptional THE STORY continues to have a down to earth and introspective feel with her impeccable songwriting and storytelling that can be found within each lyric and melody. With her musical collaborators, Phil and Tim Hanseroth and Celloist Josh Neumann who comprise the Brandi Carlile band, all eleven tracks on the record have a memorable and distinct trait.The first song on the album "Looking Out" perfectly opens the record with its fast and steady rhythm that progresses with the proceeding tracks. Indeed, the album has an on the road type of feel to it, that is within the sense that most of the songs on the album have been staples during her live shows and now have been given their studio recording due without losing their very lively and raw features, such as with the foot stomping "Dying Day," the heart-wrenching "Pride and Joy," an ode to life's guilty pleasures, "Dreams," that possesses a Roy Orbison and Patsy Cline style with its harmonies and vocals, and the unforgettable and autobiographical "That Year." And one of surprises on the record is the duet with Elton John, a very Tin Pan Alley-like shuffle called "Caroline," and the songs keep flowing with the Elton John inspired "Before it Breaks." "I Will" and "If There Was No You" are the folk-country tracks on record. To conclude the album, the very Beatle-like songs "Touching the Ground" and "Oh Dear," leans toward "She's Leaving Home," close out the record.With each song on the album, Brandi Carlile reminds listeners that it is the music that matters within the vast musical highway. She simply concentrates on the lyrics and music. Indeed, this is a much-recommended record from an artist who continues to progress and impress her fans and curious listeners.

Along with Jenny Lewis, my other favorite singer/songwriter of the past two years, Brandi Carlile is currently in the middle of an incredibly productive and creatively expansive musical period. On this latest release, the melodies and arrangements (which frequently include Beatles-inspired backing vocals) are all strong throughout, the lyrics are thoughtful and often quite moving, and the empathetic production enhances these virtues. I'll focus these comments, however, on a recent live performance by Carlile that I attended a few weeks ago, which featured all of the songs from this new release as well as a good number from her last album, "The Story," and amplify remarks previously offered by the reviewer "T-Bone." At the Ram's Head Live!(all standing, with a capacity of 1,500)in downtown Baltimore, Carlile gave a particularly warm, upbeat and musically top-notch performance. Having played this area over the past few years at much smaller clubs with far fewer people in the audience, Carlile appeared to be genuinely touched by her growing audience who already knew the words to many of her songs, and she repeatedly mentioned how the Baltimore/Annapolis/DC area audiences had welcomed and supported her from the start. The wide range and varying tones of Carlile's voice makes for a very impressive instrument, and she showcases it with songs featuring multi-octave melodies with lots of jumps that only a few voices can successfully navigate. She had strong but sensitive and thoughtful support from the Tall Twins (who also write or co-write some of the songs) on guitars, bass and harmonies, an adept cellist and an enthusiastic and powerful female drummer, while Carlile herself alternated between guitars and piano. It's clear in performance that, while Carlile is the centerpiece and front-woman, they are, indeed, a band. At one point, going completely off-mike and with her guitarists and cellist literally unplugged (i.e. without ANY amplification) for one song, Carlile managed to get the enthusiastic audience so quiet that even the top rear balconies could hear her, which had to be a first for this venue. For one of many songs in her encore (which took the concert to over 2 hours), Carlile and her band performed a rip-roaring take on a June and Johnny tribute. Carlile has a mature but youthful and vibrant personality, obviously loved performing, and greatly endeared herself to the audience. In short, if she and her band come to your town, don't miss'em. In the meantime, enjoy the new album.

Just like "The Story" album there is not one bad track on this fabulous set. From the first song, "Looking Out", the listener is left in no doubt that this artist has plenty left to say. The opener is a real a grab-you-by-the-throat uplifting song with great drumming.There are so many inspirational moments on this album that it would take a very long review. There are plenty of introspective, emotional songs that so perfectly capture what it is to be human. Many will be able to read their own experiences into those so-rich lyrics provided by Brandi and the twins.Lead guitars are much more to the fore on some of the bigger production numbers which is great. Brandi and the band sound like they are having so much fun. Add in an appearance by Elton, an arrangement by Paul Buckmaster and some brilliant chanelling of Beach Boys harmonics on "Oh Dear."Wow! - Just Buy It and Start Your Brandi Collection.

This early Brandi Carlisle Album will surprise you as the first half of the album is rocky and really great.

shes just amazing , love the way her voice cracks so raw , so emotional a breath of fresh air in this time of unmemorable pop music

After the sheer brilliance of the Story, I must admit I was worried as to how Brandi could surpass that wonderful album. Good news is I need not have worried. Give up the Ghost carries on from where she left off. Some songs will be familiar from the live shows, like Dying Day and there are collaborations with Elton John and with the Indigo Girls (Amy Ray). There is also a musical arrangement from Paul Buckmaster who was the musical arranger for Elton John at the height of his fame. So in some ways Brandi is indulging herself with some of her heroes but that's good for us as the result is another great album.

great deal!