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Mindy Jostyn: Blue Stories
ByBut it is an ignorant public who has not caught on to Ms. Jostyn’s recordings as a leader, which currently number four:
- Five Miles from Hope (Demon Records 781, 1995)
- Cedar Lane (Palmetto Records 2025, 1997)
- In His Eyes (Moonboy Records, 1998)
- Blue Stories (Prime CD PCD 78, 2002)
All have been warmly received and for good reason. Ms. Jostyn’s most recent release, Blue Stories, is an exceptional solution of folk, blues, Dixieland, pop, rock, Celtic and country, all simmering into a truly distinctive sound. Ms. Jostyn herself describes this recording as
a collection of songs about people and their plights. Different characters struggle with circumstance. [These are] 15 sad but human melodramas. I've tried to treat these people compassionately. I'd prefer that listening to the CD not be an experience in darkness rather, one in a semi-pale shade of blue. Twilight blue, say, with a smattering of stars.
That is a really great vision.
That said, the listener should be very cognizant of Ms. Jostyn’s lyrics. She is quite as master songster, spinning out tales overheard at truck stops ("Sam’s Back with Sadie Again"), stories of those who have "not loved wisely, but too well" ("Don’t Turn Away") and tomes from the male perspective about the female condition ("Empathetic Woman").
Mindy Jostyn’s instrumental ability is second to none. She plays all keyboards, harmonica, guitar, violin, and every other damn thing that can be played and played wellvery much the total package.
Visit Mindy Jostyn .
Track Listing
Till We Meet Again; History Of Dreams; Sam's Back With Sadie Again; City Of Blue Stories; East Of Eden; Eden Reel; Empathetic Woman; Letter In The Rain; Till We Meet Again; The Last To Know; Loner; Guess I'll Go Back Home This Summer; Rock City Road; That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be; Turning It Over To You. (Total Time: 76:42).
Personnel
Mindy Jostyn-Every Instrument One Can Imagine, Vocals. John Putman, Marc Muller, Stuart Kimball-Guitars; Tommy Mandel, Joel Diamond-Piano; Alfredo Scotti, Conrad Korsch, Paul Adamy-Bass; Jeff Berman; Graham Hawthorne, Rick Bausman-Drums, Percussion; Aaron Heick-Clarinet; Catherine Russell, Carly Simon, Janie Barnett, Dave Phillips-Background Vocals
Album information
Title: Blue Stories | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Unknown label
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