Album Mini-review: Judith Owen – Somebody’s Child
File next to: Carole King, Tori Amos, Ben Folds
Judith Owen‘s impressive résumé includes a run as a key member of Richard Thompson‘s “1000 Years of Popular Music” tours, but she has a formidable body of her own work. Somebody’s Child is her 11th album, and here – joined by (among others) two of the singer-songwriter genre’s finest go-to players in Leland Sklar and Waddy Wachtel – she’s made yet another deeply engaging album. Crystalline production and arrangement put the focus squarely upon Owen’s winning, emotive vocals and acoustic piano. Her strong sense of melody and knack for a memorable lyric is on display on “Send Me a Line.” Quieter moments like “Mystery” conjure a contemplative air, while the timeless feel of “Tell All Your Children” displays her gift for minimalist, understated pop. And a cover of Roxy Music‘s “More Than This” proves that Owen’s skills as a musical interpreter rival her songwriting abilities.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.