"AN INDEPENDENT VIEW"
by: Linda Fryer
© 8/2004

"PEACE OF MIND"

ARTIST: LISA O'KANE
TITLE : PEACE OF MIND
PRODUCER: EDWARD TREE
LABEL: RAISIN' KANE RECORDS

Well, there's no question in MY mind, "Peace of Mind" is one of the most amazing new albums I've heard in months!
This beautiful CD, which will be released on September 7, 2004, tells a story of an artist whose life is filled with love for her children, and music, music, music! Lisa sings with a clear voice that sounds at times, like pure Bluegrass, and at other times, like Folk and Country. But Lisa's talent is individual and unique to Lisa, and her music makes you understand that. And not only can this girl from California sing, she can write, too! Lisa has teamed up with Mark Fosson to write 5 of the songs on this CD, and what a team they make! Mark has contributed much to this entire album, and I would be remiss not to say so. Such beautiful music…..from everyone involved in this entire project!

I really enjoyed "Peace of Mind", (Lisa O'Kane/Mark Fosson), a sweet, mellow tune with a folksy sound, and also "Little White Lies" (Mark Fosson), a short little song that lulls you in…… only to be snapped awake by Lisa singing "Softer Place To Fall" (Mark Fosson/Edward Tree). "…Softer Place…."will be the first single to be released to radio, so do listen for it… and if you don't hear it, call you stations! But "Room Up For Rent", (Mary Coppin), is the one that made me hit the replay button more than a couple of times. It's a song we can all relate to, in one way or another. The lyrics, if taken literally, are talkin' about a lost love, a grown-up kinda love. But it made ME think of something, or someone else. Vaguely, came thoughts of childhood, and playing in my room, girlfriends and slumber parties…and teenage years with so many nights of daydreaming about that boy of my dreams. I think you all will find your own memories when you listen to this talented artist singing her heart out in "Room Up For Rent". There are far too many songs on this album, 14 in all, to break down each one with me telling you how much I love them. But I do…..love them! ALL of them!!

Oh, heck. Maybe one or two more…..indulge me, ok? "Everyone Says Goodbye" (Lisa O'Kane/Mark Fosson), is a real heart breaker. How can such a beautiful song be so sad? How can such a wonderful singer sing these lyrics without bursting into tears, herself? I mean, truly folks, this is one of those songs for all of us who've ever had our hearts broken. And who hasn't?? Then we have "Highland Ground" (Lisa O'Kane/Mark Fosson). A haunting sound that make you think of the green fields of Ireland….and listen closely, you'll hear the Irish Whistle of Kathleen Keane. How perfect! This song is not exactly country, not exactly folk….but a wonderful addition to an album that's just filled with talent and great songs!

The music I've been listening to for the well over an hour now, has been referred to as Roots-Country, and has been some of the sweetest and most enjoyable I've ever heard. I'm tellin' ya, boys and girls, if this one gets past radio, then something is VERY wrong. From the pure and clear voice of Lisa O'Kane, to the instruments of Mark Fosson, Bob Glaub, David Raven, Edward Tree, Gabe Witcher, Tom Corbett, Steve Nelson, Nick Vincent, Ed Berghoff, Skip Edwards, Jay Dee Maness, and Richard Dodd….to the back up vocals of Teresa James, Mark Fosson, Charity Chapman, and Billy Watts…..and last, but not least, to the crickets and frogs from

McCall's Creek Frogs (you'll hear them on "Foggy River" {Fred Rose} )….the entire album is a winner, in every way! I can only hope you all will have a chance to listen to it, like I've been doing. Bluegrass, Folk, Country Roots, Americana…. whatever you choose to call it….."Peace of Mind" is the CD we've all been waiting for. It's up, it's down…it's sad, and happy. It's different than anything we've ever heard, yet, somehow, it's familiar enough to make us feel like we've been listening to it for years! It makes us comfortable, and makes us feel back home again. What more can we ask for??

So, for a little preview of the music of Lisa O'Kane, go on over to her website at http://www.LisaOKane.com ….'Cause if you miss this one, folks, then you aren't REALLY the music lover and fan I thought you were. 'Course, that's just my opinion ya know…..and only…...............................