Track Picks: "Isola Natale," "Season of the Witch"
Review
From the outgrowth of Steampacket, a band that included not only Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll, but also a young Rod Stewart, came Auger and Driscoll's collective effort that produced two albums. When Driscoll left in 1969 to pursue a solo career, Auger, drummer Clive Thacker, and bassist Dave Ambrose continued as Brian Auger & the Trinity. Open has been unfairly characterized as a kind of groove jazz rip, one that combines Wes Montgomery, Jimmy McGriff, and the rock sensibilities of the psychedelic era. Whatever. There are many tracks here, from deep grooved funky jazz to lilting ballads and greasy blues numbers and the skronky exotica number "Goodbye Jungle Telegraph." Auger may not have been as gifted an organist as Alan Price technically, but he could more than hold his own on the Hammond B-3 (as evidenced by the first two tracks here which are instrumentals, "In And Out" and "Isola Nate"). He was also able to pull more sounds out of the instrument than any of his peers. Auger wasn't much of a vocalist, but he could dig deep and get the emotion out of a song -- especially in a funky number like "Black Cat," which featured a killer though uncredited studio horn section. Driscoll's contributions are all on the second half of the album, beginning with the shuffling choogle of Lowell Fulsom's "Tramp," continuing through a moving reading of Pops Staples' "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)," two Auger originals, and concluding in a reading of Donovan's "Season of the Witch" that single-handedly established her reputation as a vocalist of great interpretative ability and emotional dexterity. Almost eight minutes in length, it is the perfect interplay for the quartet with its dark, smoky swirling energy and extant soul groove, and capos the album on a high note, making it a delightful precursor to the classic Streetnoise which was to follow. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
The title Open was Shaznay's decision during the time she was recording in the studio because she was 'opened' to many new ideas at the time.
It features two singles: Never Felt Like This Before and You. There was an announcement saying that Shaznay was going release her 3rd single Nasty Boy in March 2005, but that was just a rumour.
It is worth noting that the track #3 was originally called "Never Felt Like This Before" and the single and video has been released under that name as well, however on the album the spelling has been changed to "I Never Felt Like This Before". It is nevertheless the same song.
There was also an additional track called "Don't Know What To Say", however it was removed from the album before it was confirmed. The song was removed as it was said to have been a weak song in reference to its title. However, this song is not weak as the lyrics are most accurate as it's all about writers block. The album (without any promotion) seems to have been re-released, as "Don't Know What To Say" is now an added track on the album. This change can be seen on the HMV website. When the album was first released, this song was not included. [1]
The final track "Now You're Gone" was originally called "Crying" but it was changed before the album was confirmed. It was changed due to the fact that the title "Crying" was not as a strong message that suited the song. Whereas when Shaznay sings, "Now You're Gone" it's more meaningful. The song has been released on the Shaznay Lewis Album Sampler which features 5 songs which are taken from her album Open, however "Mr Dawg" and "You" are both rough versions which are different from actual version (both vocally and melody).
"Never Felt Like This Before" was Shaznay Lewis' first single from the Open album and was released 2004. It peaked in the UK charts at #8.
The video for "Never Felt Like This Before" is set in a nightclub setting with Lewis performing and with episodes of her love affairs intermixed with the performance. In the video for Never "Felt Like This Before", Lewis felt uncomfortable performing intimate moments with the male in the video because she felt she would be cheating on her partner, Christian Storm. They originally planned to have Lewis's partner in the video, but he was unavailable at the time, so they had to find a look-a-like.
Chart positions
#8 UK (July 11, 2004)Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
"You" was Shaznay Lewis' second and final single from the Open album.
The You video consists of Shaznay Lewis walking on the beach on a full moon night thinking of her boyfriend and has an overall dreamy feeling.
In the video for You Lewis encounters several images that are sculptures into a face, e.g, the clouds and the cliffs. That face is Lewis's husband, Christian Storm.
