Emm Gryner - Girl Versions

2001 album for the Canadian alternative singer/songwriter finds her turning songs by Fugazi 'Waiting Room', Ozzy Osbourne 'Crazy Train', The Clash 'Straight To Hell', Def Leppard 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', Blur 'Song 2' & others into heartfelt piano ballads Album Description

 way beyond 5 stars
This is where Tori Amos got her idea to do 'Strange Little Girls'. There is no point in covering a song unless you put your own style and twist on it. Emm has done that perfectly. Her creativity on this album is incredible. She never lacks in the talent department. All piano driven songs, this is one of my favourite albums of all time. I was a little disappointed not seeing her cover of the Foo Fighters song but it's still 10 great cover songs that will have you astonished from beginning to end. Blur's song 'Song 2' is actually put to use, you can actually understand what the lyrics are and she puts a beautiful female twist on Ozzy's song 'Crazy Train'. My favourite song by far is 'For What Reason' which is a beautiful, sad song that I think anybody would fall in love with. Emm is fairly unknown but she's found a wonderful home in my CD collection and I hope she finds one in yours too. March 21, 2004

 Girl Versions
Well in the battle of dueling cover discs, it looks like "The Gryner" won. Her disc also had a similar concept to Tori's Strange Little Girls but with a much more light-hearted tone (see the sticky sweet version of Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me") and involved stripping the songs down to the bare bones to show how good they actually were (see STP's "Big Bang Baby" & Blur's "Song 2".) Also included is her cover of Ozzy's "Crazy Train" (recorded waaaaaay before the Osbournes became the "it" family). Kinda' surprised not to see a Bowie song on here despite her singing backup in his band on his last tour. Which bowie song wouldve worked the best? "Heroes" perhaps? "China Doll" woulda' been too obvious. "All The Young Dudes" has been over done (by Jill Sobule, who's version is the best, and Travis) Fave Tracks: "Waiting Room," "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Straight To Hell." November 29, 2003

 Emm Gryner: Canada's "Hidden" Gem!
I first heard about Emm Gryner when I saw her perform "Pour Some Sugar On Me" on a Mike Bullard show. She got my attention right away with her beautiful music and I actually love her re-make of the Def Leppard song better! I knew that I had to buy this album, even if it was just for one song. What surprised me was that I ended up LOVING every single song on this album! She is very creative and when you listen to her musical re-makes/interpretations of the songs, you'll feel like you're listening to the song for the very first time. It is wonderful and I've never been so excited about an artist before. Emm has pure talent and I wish that more people knew about her. It's a real shame that Emm doesn't get more media play...She truly deserves it! Emm's musical talent with the piano and her voice are phenomenal. Her songs have a delicate sound punctuated with intense emotion. This is an artist who does NOT disappoint! September 16, 2003

 It's different, but it's a good kind of different
Ok, I'll admit that I was skeptical about Emm doing a cover album, but when I saw her open for Matt Nathanson (Check him out! Emm does background vocals for him) and she did her slowed-down, hauntingly beautiful version of Ozzy's "Crazy Train" I was completely overwhelmed. A big fan of the original, I think her version is even better. Some songs are a little tough to listen to the first few times you hear them, but they grow on you and this has since become one of my favorite albums. Everything is slowed down significantly, but Emm's beautiful voice does them justice. If you get a chance to check her out, be sure to do so! April 22, 2003

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