I’ve been asked to review some artists and their music lately. Since I am not professionally trained in any form of music, I have to say the thought of reviewing such talent is somewhat intimidating. My list of musicial accomplishments are the recorder, the piano (which I’m not too bad at and do love) and the instrument my parents decided I should try….. the violin. Yea…. violin….. second violin, last chair — that was me!! Faked playing the violin at every orchestra rehersal and concert…. I really do feel sorry for my high school teacher at that time … I think he would have rather had me playing the cymbals or something.. BUT, moving on…
I couldn’t do my first post without talking about one of the most amazing singers I had the privledge to hear. Renee Austin. Most of you have never heard of her …. and you know what… I feel for you, because this women’s voice ROCKED. However, this story may not have a happy ending… I’m in search for “what happened to Renee Austin” as we speak. Let me give you the background.
I grew up in a little town of Allen, Wisconsin. If you know where that fly speck on the map is … please email me, I probably know you! Regardless, my family moved into the “big” town of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. While I was visiting family there back in 2005, my sister-in-law who is very artistically talented wanted to see some band at a local bar. Me, being happy to see a live band — I dressed to impress and we all headed out to a litttle swanky bar with a rustic brick interior and a loft that looked down on the stage. As we took the best seats in front of the loft and peered down at this band… I wondered… what could Eau Claire, Wisconsin possible draw in tonight…. the week of thanksgiving. It was Renee Austin. At the moment of reading her name on the flyer and ordering my drink … I wasn’t impressed with what I thought I would hear. until …
…. let me tell you …… this women’s voice and passion made you stop whatever you were doing, stop any thought process you currently had and drew you into her world with her voice. I have never had the hair on the back of my neck stand up from a singer the way her words and her soulful sound did for me that night. Other reviewers have compared her to a cross between Janis Joplin and Tina Turner … and I have to say that is a DEAD ON discription of her talent. The most memorable song that she sang, that literally had all of us that night in complete awe … is hearing her sing Amazing Grace Acapella… I would say that all of us that showed up that night had an amazing night. Renee Austin, in her petite body, belted out songs in a husky soul sound to angelic clear pitch! It was truly amazing.
The sad part of this story is that Renee developed a lump on her thyroid gland and had to have it removed. While it was a blessing that it was not cancerous, due to the operation, her left vocal cord was paralyzed. She could only whisper after the operation. Everyone is hopeful that she will recover… Blind Pig Records (who smartly picked her up) has a great profile on her. At the time of this posting, I have not found out how her condition is…… the last info I could find indicated that there may be some hope she could return to her love of music. I can only hope that she does ….. the world is truly missing a great talent if we are not able to hear her voice again! So …. Renee Austin …. if you read this …. god speed on your recovery and we all look forward to your fantastic voice soon!
Wanna hear what the buzz is about? Check out the song “Catfish Women” on Napster ….. or another good one is Bottom of a Heart! Enjoy!
Cheers,
Jennifer
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