Little Wild One

by

Joan Osborne

Edit

I pretty much like everything that Joan does, but probably like many other fans, I've been waiting for a release that returns to the sonic quality of Relish. Little Wild One might be that CD. I'm finding myself hooked on listening to it, and the more I do, the more I like it. The fresh new songs are all worthy of Joan's vocals, with basic instrumentation that sounds very good -- usually a couple guitars, bass, and a keyboard -- some electric and some acoustic. There are some wonderful lyrics, good melodies, nice sounds, and Joan's rich and perfect-pitch voice is beautiful from beginning to end.

I'm always hoping to re-experience the mind blowing impact that Joan's singing had on me when I first heard "Ladder" and "St. Theresa" and other songs on "Relish". Joan doesn't belt out the soul like that, but I feel a lot more life in these recordings than in some of her recent R&B albums. This is fine stuff -- more mature, I think. Thanks for the great listening, Joan! I also recommend checking out Joan doing some fine vocal performances with Phil Lesh and Friends on Phil Lesh & Friends - Live at the Warfield Theater

"Little Wild One" is musically complex and still enjoyable to listen to. It reflects a great deal of musical diversity and maturity. It did not, however, live up to my own expectations, and I'm left wanting more from it than it delivered.

I love Joan Osborne's voice, both her literary one and her vocals. I am also a long-time fan of Eric Brazillian and Rob Hyman's work. I had high expectations for this album, and maybe that's the problem. After "Relish, this artist took a new path, and I was glad I followed her. I was completely open to what she produced, and she created some amazing albums.

With the reuniting of this team, I was hoping for an album with more vocal power and intensity than "Little Wild One" has. Overall it is worth buying, and if you're a fan of Joan Osborne, you'll listen to it with pleasure, but it could have been so much more.