CMJ's FREELOAD [10.23]
INGRID MICHAELSON: Be OK
By Lisa Hresko
Ingrid Michaelson's okay. She's even donating a portion of Be OK's proceeds to the non-profit Stand Up To Cancer. A girl and her guitar? How cliché. Instead, Michaelson travels with her ukulele—even having toured with Dave Matthews Band and Jason Mraz—giving the term singer/songwriter a delightful twist. Alright, she's clearly much better than okay. It's almost a shame that the title track on her third release asks only for a humbling "OK." No Ingrid, you are a sensational writer and you possess a darling voice.
But that's Michaelson's appeal—she is simply herself, which in itself is pretty stunning. "Be OK" is a flawless pop song full of peppy cheer and optimistic lyrics, and the enchanting "Lady In Spain," initially a haunting track, quickly swaps a somber tone for a song of hope as Michaelson sings, "I can't do anything I want to/I can be anything I see." Her near a capella rendition of every little girl's favorite tune, "Over The Rainbow," spotlights Michaelson's smooth, dreamlike vocals. "Can't Help Falling In Love," the oft-covered Elvis tune, is a classic piece infused with modern femininity (the fairer sex falls head-over-heels too, you know).
Surprisingly, three tracks—there's only 11 songs packed into a fleeting 32 minutes—"The Chain," "The Way I Am" and "Can't Help Falling In Love" were recorded at Webster Hall, WERS and Daytrotter, respectively. It takes an ambitious pair of pipes to pair studio, live and radio performances, however each track flows seamlessly into the next, as if Michaelson never paused, let alone swapped venues. With her charm and unadulterated spirit, she'll make you swoon without causing any cavities.
Michaelson's music has been featured on commercials and TV shows, but I'll try not to hold that against her because, frankly, the songs are hitting me in a way that I really need to be hit -- although to be fair to myself and the current circumstances with which I'm existing, consoled would perhaps be more apt. As a caregiver for a seriously ill parent, I can appreciate her work with Stand Up To Cancer, and the Be OK album is available as a $5 download, with proceeds going to SUTC. Here are a few MP3's as samples to help you feel OK for now. Prost.
MP3: Lady In Spain
The Chain (demo)
Unbreakable
Die Alone (Daytrotter Session)
The Way I Am (Daytrotter session)
From NPR: Ingrid Michaelson Is Everywhere
Download sheet music from "The Way I Am", "Breakable", "Keep Breathing", "Morning Lullabies" and "Giving Up" at musicnotes.com
Be OK (youtube link)
"Just give me back my pieces
Just give them back to me please
Just give me back my pieces
And let me hold my broken parts
I just want to be ok, be ok, be ok
I just want to be ok today
I just want to be ok, be ok, be ok
I just want to be ok today
I just want to feel today, feel today, feel today
I just want to feel something today
I just want to know today, know today, know today
Know that maybe I will be ok
Know that maybe I will be ok
Know that maybe I will be ok"
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