Amanda Marshall-Amanda Marshall (Canadian vocalist-1995 album)

Amanda Marshall has been gifted with an amazingly soulful voice. I think that word - soulful - is used much too frequently, given to people who don't truly know what it means. But Amanda Marshall is not that woman. She has a blend of a gravelly and angelic voice that reverberates through your heart, through your mind, sending your ears into sensory overload. Or it should anyway. If you have ANY musical taste - you will love Amanda Marshall. And this particular CD has some of my absolute favorites.

"Let It Rain" - written by Kristen Hall. Perfect marriage of a beautiful tune, great vocals and wonderful lyrics. Hauntingly beautiful.
"Birmingham" - a beautiful tune written about a woman who recognizes her volatile situation and is trying to make her way out of it.
"Dark Horse" - co-written by Amanda. Hauntingly endearing song that remembers a time in youth when love is fresh and new and wonderful, but also tinged by doubts. Amanda's vocal on this is perfect. Mila Mason does a great version of it too, but Amanda's voice just entrances you.
"Beautiful Goodbye" - a song of remembrance and realizing that one moment sometimes lasts a lifetime - just not always the way we think it will.
"Last Exit To Eden" - a woman trying to find herself and determine if she has given up something she should have grabbed onto, or was it the right thing to do...
"Trust Me (This is Love)" - a sweet song of trying to hold together a love that faces challenges...
"Let's Get Lost" - Amanda opens up her vocal range a bit and there's a serious guitar groove on it that's wonderful...

Like all Amanda songs - there's not a true miss on this album, but there are some better than others. But it's completely worth the price and a great listen...if you give yourself over to just feeling the music. Great album. (Amazon review)