Search - Jean McGowan Opulski :: Solo Contendere

As the title of her new CD implies, Solo Contendere is Jean's first solo endeavor. The title is also a playful reference to her day job as a court monitor these past 19 years with the CT Judicial Department. Solo Contendere cannot be categorized into any particular genre. Two wedding songs were written by Jean's mom and on one, Jean's sister harmonizes with her. Her dad, along with the Manchester (CT) Pipe Band plays bagpipes on another, a tribute to Scotland. Jean's son, though now 22, is highlighted on another but as a child. Her husband plays accordion on another Scottish song to honor Jean's grandmother. Solo Contendere incorporates bagpipes and flutes, saxophones and harmonicas, choirs and slide guitars, mandolins and djembe drums, violins, cellos, violas and fiddles. A little bit of country, a little bit of blues, a love song, some folk, a touch of tropical island rhythm, some Christian contemporary, some R&B and some which fit no category. This compilation is a rainbow of colors. Each song comes from Jean's heart and soul and she knows that there is at least one song out of the 15 that will touch you.