Cindy Morgan's "Beautiful Bird": A Review| Posted November 16, 2008
by C.E. Moore
My favorite female contemporary Christian artist is Nichole Nordeman. But, there would be no Nichole Nordeman if it were not for Cindy Morgan. Taking the radio waves by storm in the early 90’s, Morgan released album after album and never quite received the accolades her talent deserved. Her popularity seemed to peak somewhere around her “Listen” album, although I still believe her Passion week-themed “The Loving Kind” was her best album. That is until I heard her newest project, “Beautiful Bird.”
In a sense, finding “”Beautiful Bird” was akin to stumbling on buried treasure long forgotten. I was unaware that Morgan was still making music at all. She’s had several that have released since “The Loving Kind” and none of them have garnered the attention of her earlier work. That doesn’t mean she hasn’t been busy. She’s been writing songs that have been sung (and become hits) by such artists as Michael W. Smith, Point Of Grace, Avalon, Rachael Lampa, Brit Nicole, Mandisa, The Martins, Michael English, BeBe Winans, Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez, Mark Schultz, John Tesh, and Natalie Grant. But, on a whim, I thought I’d look up the artist and see what she was up to nowadays. Imagine my surprise when I found she had recently released an album. Of course, I had to have it.
Morgan’s first foray into a fully self-produced project, “Beautiful Bird” is good stuff. One listen and you can tell that she’s a little freer than her major label days.
“Lay Me Down” is a great start to the album. Jazzy, breezy, and haunting, Morgan does well on this bluegrass-inspired number. Co-written with Phil Madiera and inspired by the music of ‘O Brother Where Art Thou,’ this is a new direction for the artist and she seems to be right at home. But, Morgan hasn’t left her roots of contemporary Christian pop music. The second track “When It’s Love” is a return to form. It will remind listeners of her “Listen” days and she keeps things light and fun. It’s a delightful song that couples will easily resonate with. Ballads have always been where Morgan seems most powerful, though. This is no more clear than on the acoustic ballad “The Sun Shines Through.” Morgan has a knack for eliciting an emotional response from the listener—emotions the listener is often unaware they possess until they hear her music. I found myself with tears in my eyes at the end of this song and I’m still not sure why. Title track “Beautiful Bird” is a solid number and features Morgan at her vocal best. “Two Roads” is a clear-cut country number, which is an altogether different sound for Morgan, but she does well. In true Cindy Morgan fashion, the album closes out with a ballad, “In These Rooms.” Light, dreamy, and a little bit sad, it will leave the listener yearning for more music and a tad bit contemplative about what they’ve just experienced.
A multi-talented vocalist and musician, Morgan utilizes several different types of instruments for a very eclectic sound. She marries the piano to the cello, the lap dulcimer to the guitar. And, from track to track we are treated to vestiges of Appalachia, country, pop, and a host of other genres. While this would work against most projects, Morgan keeps things together, creating a truly organic, earthy event.
“Beautiful Bird” is a beautiful record by a seasoned veteran of Christian music. The independent road that Morgan has chosen to take has clearly opened up new creative avenues for the artist. One can only hope this trend continues. You can buy this album on iTunes, Family Christian Stores, or online at www.cindymorganmusic.com.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
“SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR” HITS THE MARK WITH LATEST RELEASE| Posted September 24, 2008
When artists go about producing their own records, at times you worry that the bold delivery might be a bit lacking in production or instrumentation development. Cindy Morgan instantly puts those fears to rest on her independent release Beautiful Bird.
The album opens up with “Lay Me Down,” reminiscent of an old spiritual that easily sounds like it could belong on the soundtrack for O Brother, Where Art Thou? The haunting melody instantly captures you in a sway to hum along. As the songs progress, you find yourself engrossed in the depth of the songwriting prowess of a woman who introspectively births art out of life, love and relationships. You can easily see why this year’s Dove Award winner for “Songwriter of the Year” was the right choice. Advertisement
In “I Wish,” Morgan enables you to pull out your laundry list of desires to better not only yourself, but everyone around you. In response to these illustrations, this offering is an honest summation of her heart. Morgan neatly draws on all stages of life throughout this record. No matter where you find yourself, she has a way of encouraging vulnerability and openness to speak to the joys and hurts, the victories and disappointments. Her bravery to face the tough parts of life in her songwriting is admirable.
The title track opens the door for the rawness of emotion that accompanies the release of expectations on your own identity. With its well-designed tempo to just keep putting one foot in front of the other, “The Sun Shines Through” uplifts in the most bewildering and undeserved circumstances.
As the record nears its end, “Most of All” is a moving prayer that reminds listeners to not let those most meaningful moments pass us by. In keeping with her roots from her rural upbringing, you’ll hear many different sounds from Appalachia folk and country to piano-driven pop. Beautifully fashioned together, this record is an accurate reflection of its creator. Listen to this record on purpose and with the intent of walking away like you just sat on the porch and had a deep conversation with Cindy about life, love and how God is utterly interwoven into the fabric of every piece. –Amy Fogleman
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from Christian Music Planet. Click here to visit ChristianMusicPlanet.com today!
She put it on noisetrade....| Posted December 28, 2009
and I have to totally thank her! Beautiful Bird is a great album. I really admire singer-songwriters. My fave song on this album is either "The Sun Shines Through" or "I Wish"
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