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Artist: Christine Saunders
Album: “Beautiful Life”
CD Review: What really sets this CD apart from many others sent to me is the personality that is evident in the production choices. There are multitudinous quirky production touches that make each song very appealing to the ear. For example, I personally am a huge ebow fan and its distinctive sound perfectly fits into a few of the songs. There are also some subtle but very interesting drum loops and general aural surprises that keep the entire CD interesting.

But this CD is not all studio trickery. Saunders has an especially solid and lovely voice and writes some very good songs. She wrote or co-wrote all of the songs but two. Steve Hogg adds quite a lot to the likeability of the CD with his multi instrumental talents along with co-producing credits. Jamie Oakes adds very lovely ebow and hammertone that bring in some silvertone twang. Steve Hogg also wrote a really nice song in “Turn it Up”.

There is one cover that is an unusual choice, Olivia Newton-John’s hit “Magic”. But Team Christine puts their own spin on it and I now actually like the song. A lot. They made it somehow darker and infinitely more interesting. Bonus points to the drummer on this song.

This is a solid CD of good writing, great singing and pleasant surprises in the production.

http://www.christinesaunders.com