CD: Awake & Alive

Home: North Carolina

Style: Country/Folk

Quote: "In spite of her easy manner, her words pack a wallop. Right away, it's easily seen this is a woman of conviction -- even her liner notes choices show just where Christy's heart is.”

The power of the word is alive and well in Christy Snow's latest release of 13 tunes.

It's a lot like her previous CD "Solid Ground": same comfortable, straight-ahead style; same rich, comfortable yet forceful vocals; same Southern drawl (she is from North Carolina, y'all); same fluid and sometimes percussive acoustic guitar (sounds a bit like Irishman Paul Brady), the same mostly medium and quick-tempo tunes and the same life-affirming belief system.

So what's new? Not a lot, but this live recording which shows her excellent audience rapport takes her already message-centered lyrics and strenghtens them a notch or two. And very similar isn't necessarily a bad thing -- especially when you're good to begin with.

Now back to that power thing...

In spite of her easy manner, her words pack a wallop. Right away, it's easily seen this is a woman of conviction -- even her liner notes choices show just where Christy's heart is.

Consider:

"We are part of the earth and it is a part of us...for all things are connected," by Chief Seattle. This was quoted following the lyrics to "Gaia's Thieves," her very striking environmental song about the ancient Earth Mother being robbed of her beauty by man's environmental corruption.

"The most powerful thing you can do to change the world, is to change your own beliefs," a quote from Shakti Gawain, following the lyrics to "Human Race." Christy writes in the notes above them, "...it's my hope that we are moving toward a more unified society..." One leaves this tune with the impression Christy could change the world with her songs.

She then writes "I am choosing my thoughts more carefully these days, because I know our thoughts are powerful," with "Ready to Believe." This tune is a perfect example of "walking the walk." She sings: "I am willing to give up a belief in feast or famine. I am ready to believe there's always enough for me...Whole lot of old thoughts were bringing me down 'til they got so heavy I deciced to lay them down...You say hey optimist, tell me 'bout anger's place. I say we all get angry but it doesn't have to live in our face..."

Perhaps the opening tune "George Bailey" (and it's from the movie, so no explanation needed here) best exemplifies how Christy chooses to live and think and share her world through her songs. She loves life -- loves HER life. More liner notes, please: "...stepping wholeheartedly into the flow of life and choosing to believe in the good;" and, "Once we awaken to life, we realize we are much more than just alive."

Powerful stuff.

Artist Website: www.christysnow.com