Joan Osborne - Relish May07 '08

I often find myself revisiting albums from years ago, in an attempt to reconnect with old feelings or simply to enjoy the presence put forth on the album.

To be honest, I hadn't heard the entirety of Joan Osborne's 1995 effort, Relish, until recently. During 1995 to 1997, I had heard and taken a particular liking to standout track "One of Us." Now when I listen to it, I remember the times I was going through as a young lad, and relate the music to the events of my life at that time.

"One of Us" asks some poignant questions worth considering for anyone who ever questioned themselves, their faith, or the world around them. I always found the song remarkable in it's effort to establish confrontation, with a simple question that most people may have never considered in their fast-past, often blurry lives.

More importantly, the tone of "One of Us" is brilliant as Joan's voice soars above in her soft, yet inquisitive, fashion. The guitar riffs during the chorus are reminiscent of Neil Young, with deep, smooth-waving vibrations.

This post is not, however, only about "One of Us." The rest of the album is pretty damn impressive as well. Had I known better to overlook the "one hit wonder" status of the album, I would have listened to this a long time ago. After listening to the entire album, some would think "One of Us" doesn't seem as prominent as it once was, since the other songs are just as great, or better.

The beauty of music is that it's timeless. An album released 12 years ago can still form the same profound effect on listeners.

From the opening track "St. Theresa," Relish combines blues, country, soul, gospel, and even small hints of rock. The guitar riffs are amazing in some songs, if you listen closely for their subtlety.

This is what brings it home for me: Joan's beautiful, ascending voice combined with intelligent, charismatic instruments.

Relish is an impressive piece of work.

Categories: Music , Reviews

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