Addie Brownlee
Back When We Were Christians
© 2005 Addie Brownlee (634479103483)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
Brutally honest lyrics sung with an earthy, rich voice and matched by the slow burn of her guitar playing...she's not your mama's folk rocker.
tracks
- 1 Come to Me
- 2 Frances
- 3 Forty Days and Forty Nights
- 4 Until It's Time to Say Goodbye
- 5 Smithereens
- 6 Caracas
- 7 The King of Siam
- 8 Jesus and Charlie
- 9 Here We Have Stories
- 10 A Thousand Days Are Gone
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You're spent. You need something: a change, an epiphany, a day off. You throw some stuff in the car and start driving. You're unsure of your destination, maybe just a dusty road somewhere far from where you've been.
This is the music that you slide into your CD player to begin your journey. It's thick with yearning and irony. It's got a healthy dose of heartache, and just enough hope to keep you driving until sunrise...
Addie Brownlee's lyrics are intelligent and brutally honest, "I don't know if I'm getting older, or if I just don't love you enough..." Often she puts words to feelings that aren't easily expressed or classified, but so familiar you'll wonder why no one has ever written these songs before.
Her listeners describe her music and her voice as earthy, soulful...a shot of Southern Comfort, a hard rain.
Born on the Kansas prairie, Addie was raised there and in Tennessee. She originally came to New York to continue her pursuit of acting. She's worked as an actor Off-Broadway, which she says is a dream come true in itself, but has had the added bonus of affording her the time to work on her songs.
"Though I've always written a bit and have been a musician of some sort for most of my life, I didn't start songwriting until a couple years ago. It's as though it had been locked inside me."
Well, now it's unloosed with a fury.
With the release of her new CD, Back When We Were Christians, Addie Brownlee is quickly making a place for herself in the New York City performing songwriter scene.
Though crowd favorite "Jesus and Charlie" might keep her off the 700 Club's guest list, it's getting her plenty of industry attention. She laughs, "I know 'Jesus and Charlie' rubs some people the wrong way, but that's okay. I just wrote what I felt. Writing that song was a spiritual catharsis for me, and I consider it a tribute, a love song."
"Jesus and Charlie" is not the only song on Back When We Were Christians with Biblical allusions...hence the title. We asked her about that. "I won't shy away from it. It's part of me, even though I've journeyed quite far from my spiritual roots. But what is it that Ghandi said? Religion is like a mother. However good a friend's mother may be, you cannot forsake your own."
Addie's music is not easy to categorize, but is probably best described as folk rock, with a hint of Americana. Whatever it is...it's original, raw and unrefined.
She draws inspiration from many different artists, great lyricists like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, rockers like Melissa Etheridge, prolific writers like Dolly Parton and more recently, passionate songwriters like Patty Griffin and Lucinda Williams.
Like all of these varied songwriters, she is an artist of the people, and the subjects of her songs range from social injustice to love gone blisteringly wrong.
She gives a great show. She's warm, funny and sexy on stage. She's fearless. She'll open old wounds if you let her, but then she'll sing you something so soothing you'll forget the pain.
So get Back When We Were Christians now, and then run, don't walk to her next gig. And when the lights go down and she sings "Come to Me," just try not to.
reviews
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touching
author: DavidI just have to say that Addie touches all, and this CD is no different. Having met her back in 2002 before she the cd was created was a wonderful experince, I only wish I could have seen her on stage (she was in a production off-broadway that transfered from Chicago). Artist like Addie inspire everyone young and old, unifying both of them as one. this Cd is no different. I cannot wait till her next Cd comes along and fills more lives with more joy and truth. I had her father in high school and was able to listen to some of her music then. I'm glad to see that time has not changed her, or her outlook on life and music.
Quite Excellent.
author: John McGrailI found myself listening to songs from her website and figured I was doing it enough where I might as well buy the CD. I am glad I did. It has been in my car since. Addie has a fine unique voice and a nice lyrical touch. My only regret is that Robert Bruce, Sea legs and Blessing aren't on it. I guess I'll have to get her next release.
- author: Martin G.
Is it bad that I loved this CD sooooo much that I burned it for all my friends?!?!?
Extroverted Introspection
author: Duncan RogersI had the pleasure of doing a show with Addie, and she wrote some music for the production and I was immediately a fan. Before We Were Christians validates, for me, my intuition. There is grace and gravity in these songs and while simple, they are deceptively searing. She often reminds me of Jen Trynin (Gun Shy Trigger Happy days). I am delighted to stick this CD into my player and find the imagery transporting. A great disc, from a great artist.
- author: suzi
Addie's CD will inspire you, break your heart and soothe you over and over again. The combination of Addie's touching, well-written songs and her intense yet so casually sexy voice (which those of us who don't play music long for) have made this CD one of my favorites. Do yourself a favor and buy it. And then when you've fallen absolutely in love with it go see Addie live. Be prepared to (possibly) cry, laugh and just have a absolutely great time.
A wonderful voice that resonates with your soul.....
author: Linda CoffeyAddie's debut CD catches your attention from the first strum of her guitar. The words capture emotions that anyone can relate to - struggles and wonders of life. Her rich voice is a pleasure to listen to, but you also hear her heart. The songs on this CD will encourage you to live life to the fullest and to always be searching for truth.