Barb Jungr Every Grain of Sand
Released: 2002 Origination Year: 2001 Time: 63:19 Tracks: 16 Produced by: Calum Malcolm Style: Studio Format: CD Enhancement: HDCD Label: Linn Records Website: www.barbjungr.com
Track Listing I'll Be Your Baby Tonight If Not For You Things Have Changed Ring Them Bells Not Dark Yet Don't Think Twice, It's Alright Is Your Love in Vain? It's All Over Now, Baby Blue I Want You Sugar Baby Born in Time What Good Am I? Tangled Up In Blue Forever Young Every Grain of Sand
Barb Jungr Barb Jungr: Vocals / Harmonica Simon Wallace / Russell Churney: Piano Julie Walkington: Double Bass Sonia Oakes Stuart: Cello Sonya Fairburn: Violin Kim Burton: Accordion Gary Hammond: Percussion Mary Lockheart: Soprano / Tenor Saxophone

I have to admit that I hadn’t heard of her before this album, however, I am glad I had the chance to hear this one because I can tell you that I am very impressed with her performance on this album as you will find in this review. In fact, I think I might enjoy some of Bob Dylan’s songs more from her rendition then when Dylan sings them.

To start, Barb Jungr has a voice that lends itself to the songs of Bob Dylan. She is able to keep the tonality and richness the same as he would sing them while adding her own special richness to the experience. Beginning on track one, "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight", I found myself becoming extremely involved in the music itself. The imaging is wonderful and the instrumental accompaniment only serves to make the experience more involving and real.

Another track I particularly enjoy on this album is "Tangled Up in Blue". While I always do have a bit of an issue with women singing songs that are written by men, her honest performance of this song leaves me wondering if perhaps I may be wrong. She takes this song and raises it up a notch in my mind by allowing the lyrics and music to combine in a way which can best be described as a synergy of instrumental and vocal sound. I can only say that when the sound fades from the speakers, I still have the last chords ringing in my mind, and I want more.

"Is Your Love In Vain?", the seventh track, is a good example of the complexity of Barb Jungr’s voice. Along with the resonance of the piano, her voice draws you further into the song, more than just the words. If you close your eyes, not only can you picture her singing right before your eyes, but can feel the power of the words themselves as she sings the lyrics, a tribute not only to her, but to the recording skill that went into the album itself.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best albums I have heard in months. I can only say that after hearing this album, I find myself wanting to go out and get the rest of Jungr’s catalogue. If she can do this well with the complexities and subtle nuances of Bob Dylan, I can only imagine what other treasures she has performed and what she may do with other compositions.