Beyond The Turntable

Ginny Owens fourth Rocketown Records release, Long Way Home, is a 10-track project that showcases her insightful songwriting combined with a contemporary, pop-based musical delivery that encourages listeners to reflect on their freedom in Christ in a variety of ways.

This effort finds Owens acting as co-producer for the first time, teaming up with friend and long-time collaborator Monroe Jones, and experimenting on four of the songs with labelmate/producer Will Hunt. She also worked with Vince Emmett in Nashville to cut the final tracks and joined Ben Wisch in New York City for the final mixes.

The result is the highly-anticipated Long Way Home, which delivers her characteristic pop-ballads, with a few new twists. One example is the opening cut, "Waiting For Tomorrow," which has electronics laced throughout.

The song "Wonderful Wonder" is one of the project's highlights, and talks about Owens' faith. She articulates feelings that she's wanted to write about for years. As a portion of the lyrics relate, "I don't know the ocean's crystal blue/And I don't climb the mountains for view/Or wish upon the stars above my head/Or bear witness to a marvelous sunset/But the very thought of things I've never seen/Is all it takes to bring me to my knees."

Another standout is the song "Pieces," is a rock and blues influenced number, which Owens co-wrote with Wayne Kirkpatrick. The song talks about how many pieces we might be in and how God works in our lives to fit those pieces together according to His plan.

Listeners who enjoy Joy Williams, Sara Groves or Nicole Nordeman will welcome Long Way Home. What I appreciate most is the honesty and transparency of her songwriting, and that the project is something I can put on, listen to and it takes me to a musically pleasing and peaceful place through a heartfelt collection of songs.