Happy This Way

Album Review

A superior pop singer and songwriter, Judith Owen has been a major name in pop music since the late '90s. Happy This Way features a dozen of her songs, tunes that are generally wistful and sometimes playful. They stylistically hint at the Beatles and the 1960s in general, while remaining contemporary. Although her bio mentions her "pop, rock, jazz, classical, R&B, and theatrical influences," the music on Happy This Way mostly features pop and theatrical elements along with an orchestra that hints at classical in spots. Jamie Cullum's description of Judith Owen as "a female Randy Newman" fits quite well on this set, for one could easily imagine several of these songs appearing in films or even becoming unlikely standards. The offbeat yet often insightful lyrics, the lightly rhythmic interpretations, and the constant honesty make Happy This Way a CD that will be enjoyed by Judith Owen's many fans.