Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Dress Rehearsal
(Arista)
A few years after one of the brightest debuts in memory, Johnson slips a bit further into mainstream country. This might be good for her status in Nashville, but a disappointment for those who found glints of greatness in Room With a View. Still, the Albertan comes up with a few gems and has her ace band for the rest. “Squeezin’ The Love Out of You” and “I’ll Let You Go” add richly to her setlist in the man-baiting and tear-jerking areas. If you find Shania too slick by half, Carolyn Dawn’s your gal.
—Doug Taylor
categories: Canadian artist
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.