"You Give," is astonishingly breath-taking, and powerful.
tagman77 | Bountiful, UT USA | 07/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...She's got this resplendant-voice, and raw-emotion that she puts into every one of her songs. Listening to her music sends chills through your whole body, with her incredible-voice. "You Give," is astonishingly-breath-taking, and powerful....She has had some high/low points in her life. With her special appearances on "The Lilith Fair" Tour, (she's opened for a Martina McBride concert) and by being a prominent-figure on mp3.com; she's the kind of singer/performer that "takes-your- breath-away." From her humble upbringing, she's been singing since she was a little girl. She sang some folksy-country songs earlier in her career, to foregoing a rock-format instead. I saw her perform for the first time in concert, about 4 years ago at "The Zephyr," a premier Downtown SLC nightclub, whereupon which I was compelled to buy her album. She belts-out each lyric with the forcefulness of a sassy, "rock-goddess." She intelectually writes all of her own material, and possesses a musical-prowess to playing the piano. She has the fortitude and the resiliency to "press foward" despite lifes' trials & tribulations, which we all face on a day-to-day basis.With the passing of her beloved sister, Annie, for which "Little Annie's Song" was written about (she was tragically-killed in car-accident, in her early-twenties, by the foolish-actions of a drunken-driver), it was a time in her life for reflection to looking-back on the life of her sister who she (and her friends) miss dearly. The song's a story about the ponderance of life's mere exsistance, with Annie coming into this beautiful-world, having been born in a car (and the ironies of ironies) leaving this world in a car. Sad huh? The song's so beautiful and heart-felt, with the way it's written and sung. "Let's Pretend" is a song about a woman who's in this coveted relationship with a man - (where there's no looking-back on yesterday) - who's not wanting to hear him say "goodbye." "Lie To Me" is about the kind of [stuff] that goes on in a relationship: with Emily getting back at an ex-boyfriend, for some of the mean-things he's done to her behind her back (with the the manipulation and lies); giving him "the-benefit-of-the-doubt" by breaking-up with him. The songs on the album are a bit trite - going from being spiteful and sympathetic, on one-hand - to being happy and sad, on the other. Emily's a force to be reckoned with, nonetheless. I'm wondering, when she'll land a "major-label" record deal? She'll definitely make it big - no doubt about it. If you are the executive of a major-recording, company, reading this review, I say: "sign her on, and give her credit, where credit's due." I hope to see her appear on "VH1" and "MTV" someday. I give this ***5-Stars*** for the singing, song-writing efforts she puts into this supurb album."
Emily Richrds needs a recording contract!
EarKandyKollectibles | US | 06/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just love her music, especially "Lie To Me". She captures the passion and essence of love and life. It's like listening to the energy people give off. I wish more people could experience her trur talent. Good Driving Stuff!"
This should be on the radio!
Pashenette1 | Chestertown, MD USA | 01/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every song on "You Give" is teeming with vivid pictures and raw emotion. This can easily be found in songs such as the expressive "lie to me", the sad story in "Mary" and the scorn in "do you remember". While listening, one can easily hear what emotion Emily is trying to portay and the message behind her words. "You Give" is very different from her other albums. Her work on this album is very inspiring . . . a personal best I believe. It includes everything from uptempo beats to beautiful ballads. Why I haven't heard her on the radio is beyond me. Give this woman an award! She is certainly deserving of it!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1