After owning and listening to this CD for the past 6 months it's still as fresh today as it was the first time I heard it yet as comfortable and familiar as your favorite jeans/shoes/T-shirt/whatever. 
Some of that familiarity is partially due to the fact that those who have been fans of Jennie and her band for a few years have heard most of these songs at the band's live shows with the promise that they might be on the "next CD". Well, "Next" is here and Jennie delivers on that promise with the release of 'Thank You goodnight...' (TYGN) and Ooooooh what a way to do so .... by recording them the way that her fans are used to hearing them. LIVE! TYGN definitely does not disappoint even a casual listener in that it's an absolutely fantastic sounding recording. I have had people listen to songs from this CD and not realize it's a live recording until they hear the audience applause and Jennie's between song banter. IMHO, this is the best sounding live recording that I have ever heard! Some people may question the choice to release a live CD with only 2 prior CDs to her credit but Jennie has changed the way people will think about live recordings by taking the norm and turning it upside down. Instead of a CD full of live versions of studio cuts with a cover song and *MAYBE* a few previously unreleased songs thrown in the mix for a selling gimmick, Jennie and the band play 2 songs from each previous CD and a wonderfully done cover of 'Turtle Blues' but the meat and taters of this CD are the 9 previously unreleased/unrecorded songs as well as a balanced choice of acoustic & full-on band versions of the songs.
As for the songs themselves, TYGN opens with the beautifully crafted 'Whisper In The Dark' (my personal fav on this CD) which I think shows many of the things that draw people to Jennie DeVoe Band's music .... intelligently written lyrics, music that coalesces beautifully together with Jennie's bluesy soulful voice delivering an honest and emotionally expressive song. I have loved this song since I first heard it and was very glad to see that it made the cut for this CD. Up next is 'Barefoot To Babylon' originally released on her debut CD, that has excellent guitar work by Brett Lodde along with John Wittman's drumming & Todd Smith's bass that only enhance this version of a crowd favorite. 'Somebody's Daughter' from the 2nd CD (TaDa) is an acoustic (just Brett & Jennie) rendition of this introspective look at trying to find one's self and place in life. Rockin' up next is 'Born To Be Bad' that's sure to get you up and moving ... so what if your fellow workers think you're nutty while dancing around your office! ;) 'When You Call My Name' has been a staple at Jennie's live shows for many years and has rightfully earned its place on TYGN to keep you rocking on after 'B2bB'. Starting off what's affectionately called the "Lounge Break" block of songs on the CD is the debut performance of 'Get Back Home' with awesome keyboard work from Greg McGuirk. Greg's wonderful keyboard playing continues on 'Turtle Blues' and perfectly compliments Jennie's bluesy gritty vocals. As Jennie notes in the intro to 'Give A Little Love' this is a song that's usually performed as a full-on electric band tune but is very well executed an acoustic version of simply keys and vocals. Rounding out the 'Lounge set' is 'Don't Forget To Breathe' with Brett Lodde laying down some excellent guitar playing of the usual keyboard/piano accompanyment in this song to Jennie's soothing sexy vocals. Brett and Jennie continue their acoustic duo on 'Angels Cry', a beautifully sung song about a very ugly and serious social problem ... domestic abuse. 'Isn't It Time' picks the pace back up to full-on electric mode featuring some excellent keyboard work by Greg and some "fancy pants" guitar licks by Brett especially his electric slide solo and nice outro picking. 'Away' continues the full-on mode and shows the wonderful harmonies of Brett and bassist Todd Smith's backing vocals. Not to be neglecting Todd's great bass work & backing vocals in previous songs on this CD but he really starts to shine during 'Away' and 'Little Obsession'. 'Little Obsession' was a bit of a surprise on this CD as it's one of the band's lesser played songs but shows everybody's versatility in this blues inspired rocker that's reminiscent of 'Love Don't Come Around' from TaDa. Rounding out this most excellent CD is the Brett & Jennie acousic version of 'How I Feel' which has received widespread radio play in its studio version also from TaDa.
For dedicated DeVoe-tees of the Jennie DeVoe Band this is, in some cases, a dream come true ... a mini concert that you can take with you and play when & where you feel like it.  For new fans or those who are not familiar with Jennie and her band's work TYGN is an awesome CD that showcases not only the diversity and variety of the band member's talents but does so when they shine the brightest .... LIVE! As Jennie would say. "And Oooh what a gift".
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Jennie Devoe has a voice that is so eclectic, it's hard to tell who she reminds me of.  But for all the stars we have today, her talent stands out with lyrics that move you and music that is in a class of it's own.  With a voice that gives us all she has, I wish her the very best and know that we have a star in our midst.
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