Rosie Thomas

My tastes in holiday music tend toward the novelty end of the spectrum, so it's no surprise that my favorite track on A Very Rosie Christmas is her cover of "Christmas Don't Be Late" (by Ross Bagdasarian aka David Seville aka The Chipmunks). In Thomas' hands, though, it's transformed into a wistful piece of melancholia--full of nostalgia for a lost childhood Christmas, and with a hint of serious spiritual purpose.

There are other more traditional holiday songs here, like "Winter Wonderland" and "Let It Snow", and Thomas turns in credible performances of these. But, as with similar releases from Aimee Mann (One More Drifter in the Snow) and Leigh Nash (Wishing for This), the standout tracks are thoughtful originals like "River" and "Alone at Christmastime" that might just be worthy of listening all year 'round.

This is a grown-up Christmas album, in the best sense of the word.

This is a beautiful record. I understand that some of the songs were recorded in Rosie's friends apartment in New York City. In fact the entire album sounds like a love letter to New York City, like some of the old Simon and Garfunkel albums. I really liked the simple production, it really lets the beauty of the music come through - like a beautiful woman without make up. I hope Rosie continues to make this type of album. If you like this album you may also like Laura Gibson's If You Come to Greet Me, another fine record by an under appreciated artist.

Rosie Thomas' new album These Friends of Mine is refreshingly creative. She is one of the most honest songwriters out there, writing intensely personal songs which connect with audiences at a deep level. Rather than singing feel good songs that gloss over life's problems, Rosie is not afraid to ask big questions about love and faith, and to address pain and loneliness. She consistently returns to the idea of childhood and a restlessness for innocence, belonging, and connectedness with others. The last song on the album (These Friends of Mine), clearly expresses her hope that through her singing she might help others find a sense of meaning and belonging and break down the walls which keep us disconnected from each other.

Throughout the album you can sense a struggle to believe in love, to believe that even in the midst of pain and loneliness there is always hope. You sense that we are all struggling to find the same innocent love and faith which only truly exists in childhood - a search which she sings about in Much Further To Go, asking herself if the love she believed in as a child still exists today. Her answer to this question seems to be hope that she will once again find that childlike love, but she must heal from the wounds caused by growing up. Ultimately, her songs are hopeful and challenge all of us to love others more sincerely and learn to love ourselves as we return to a childlike faith.

This is one of my favorite cds. I LOVE Rosie Thomas! The Kite Song is wonderful - the lyrics are touching and the music beautiful.

Bought on a whim, this CD has turned out to be a real treasure. Soft, lyrical and really comforting music. I'm lovin' it. The infectious giggling with her pals on one song has you enjoying it almost as much as they obviously enjoyed making it.

Rosie Thomas is one of my favorite singers. I found her by "accident" over a year ago and have all her music. While this CD is great, it is not my favorite. It lacks some of the wistfulness that has made her music so unique. However, having said that, it is still sweet, silly, and magical and still at times, wistful. I would recommend this to any of her fans.

"If Songs Could Be Held" is my introduction to Rosie Thomas. The lovely cover drawing by Dave Pauls with its green background and Rosie's serious face focusing on something in the distance caught my eye. What impresses me is what a powerful vocalist she is. Her lovely voice has strengths like classic pop singers like Beth Nielsen Chapman and Jennifer Warnes. "It Don't Matter to the Sun" appeared on Garth Brooks' album The Life Of Chris Gaines. Rosie's version places a strong vocal lament against a stark keyboard accompaniment. The classic song "Let It Be Me" that I loved on Amy Fradon's album Small Town News has a handsome reading here, "So never leave me lonely, tell me you love me only and that you'll always let it be me." "Time Goes Away" is a poetic reflection on loving moments in our lives that pass all too soon. "Pretty Dress" has almost a baroque sound, "Put your red boots on; It's time for you to walk home from school." "Loose Ends" flows magically with a darker edge, "She's just about to run before her stitches come undone." If songs could be held, they would likely be embraced by Rosie Thomas. This is a lovely set, one I'm glad to have discovered. Enjoy!

This little known talent from Seattle needs to be heard. She has her own unique sound while reminding you at various points of other singers you know and love. There are Joni Mitchell moments, Bonnie Rait moments, and even Tracy Chapman moments. But more importanly, there are tons of Rosie Thomas moments. And if her sound is not enough, check out the fine lyrics she is able to pen. This solid type of song writting has been ingognito for far too long. With just the right production support, the sonics of this project are just spot on. I love music and this album reminds me way. Don't let this one pass you by. With just a few listens, you will become a fan just as I have!

I first heard Rosie's music on Grey's Anatomy earlier this year. I was captured by her voice, which was soft and beautiful, but achingly sad. Every time I play the CD I am reminded why I bought it in the first place. The songs speak of relationships and heartache and joy. It's a peaceful album, with lyrics that will make you think. Enjoy it when you have time to reflect and listen to what she has to say. I'd rate it one of my top picks of the year and I look forward to more of her music.

On a road trip recently, a friend and I were listening to one of those music magazine compilations covering the best of that months new music. Most of it was pleasant, in a forgettable sort of way, until about track 9 when something altogether different and quite splendid suddenly burst forth from the car stereo speakers. Scrambling for the CD case I soon discovered that the artist was Rosie Thomas and the song 'Pretty Dress'. No sooner had I heard that, then I wanted to hear everything by this enchanting sounding singer-songwriter, and this curiosity led me to track down Rosie Thomas' latest release If Songs Could Be Held.

If you hadn't already guessed from the album title, Rosie Thomas is a sensitive soul, one who crafts literate, introspective songs of delicate beauty. These qualities are exemplified by album opener 'Since You've Been Around', a winsome ballad that captures well the flood of muddled emotions you get from being attracted to someone new on the scene. Next comes the aforementioned 'Pretty Dress' and not only was it immediately arresting 3 months ago, it remains captivating to me now. After the wonderful lead-in of 'Since You've Been Around' and then the melodic jolt of 'Pretty Dress' it's slightly dissappointing to find that nothing on the remainder of the record comes close to being as catchy or upbeat. It all becomes a bit one-paced, with one wistful ballad after another, leaving this particular listener yearning for something a little more rousing or left-field. Taken by themselves, each of these songs are actually quite pretty, but lumped in together they all seem to blend.

Focusing on the positives though, what tracks 1 and 2 clearly illustrate, is that Rosie Thomas has all the capabilities as a songwriter to be more than just a mid-pack player. Definitely an artist to watch.

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I first came across Rosie Thomas while watching an episode of Alias. I bought one of her CDs and fell completely in love. She captures so much inside song, and doesn't hold back. This new album is worth the buy.

What else can i say, she just makes me smile.

simple can be the most profound. She is clearly honest- but the way to see her is live, i highly suggest it.

the feel of the music is calm and very "rainy saturday", though i love it any day.

She has grown with each record, but though this is the "sophomore release" it is NOT to be overlooked. it is a true gem, just as Rosie is.

Thanks, Rosie for sharing yourself with us.

A few weeks ago as I was walking through a shopping mall, I heard this wonderful female voice singing serious topics, it was from Rosie Thomas newest CD "These Friends of Mine". I bought the CD & fell in love with her style & spirituality. Later I bought the CD before that "If Song's Could Be Held" from Amazon.com. The words were not as well written & the piano chord stuctures sounded nearly the same as they were hammered out rather than a prefered folk or classical flow as in her newest work. Working my way down the releases I bought "Only With Laugther Can You Win" from Amazon.com & again it's a step down from the newer works. The words are very simple yet still hold onto a certain charm that makes the CD worth buying. I was surprised with some negitive reviews due to a misunderstanding with the song "Tell Me How" which at one point deals with telling children about faith in God, when in fact Rosie states in the song: "How am I to define what faith is to a child when the only explanation lies within?" compared to the next verse "How am I to tell them if they never follow Christ that heaven doesn't hold a place for them?" The 2nd statement has a question mark which means she is not making a sermon but that the last remark needs to be read within the whole paragraph as well as the whole song. If you like to hear a different female voice singing serious topics & who is growing as an artist, give this CD a spin.

After reading one of the reviews below and subsequently buying the CD, I set out to find those horribly offending religious verses. My conclusion? The music is not religiously offensive unless you truly want to find such offense. I am not 100% positive, but I think God was mentioned twice and Christ was mentioned once. Sadly, many people curse in average conversations using His name irreverently more than that, which is where the true offense exists. So anyway, what about this music?

Overall the CD was good but not spectacular. Rosie's voice is one of those throaty, intentionally breaking on certain notes, yet kind of wispy and wandering new-age type of voices that for some of the songs left me straining to listen so that I might catch more of the words. I personally prefer singers whose every word I can understand, unless it is someone like Emma Shapplin (Re. "Carmine Meo" CD...superb). I had a couple favorites on the "Only with Laughter" CD, and overall it is easy to listen to, but I had hoped for more songs like the couple that came pre-loaded on my new HP laptop (which is why I chased down the CD in the first place). I'll stretch it from 3 to 4 stars, realizing that some listeners will really like her style and music.

However, unless you are fairly sure that you will like her music I would avoid buying the companion CD that is offered: "When We Were Small." In spite of some distracting additions of irrelevant chatter to try to give you the feeling that you are sitting in her living room with friends, I did like the first song on it (this one song had just a little light country western flavor and was very well done), but the other songs all started to sound the same, which in some ways is the same criticism that I could offer for the first album. Nevertheless, if this is the flavor that you like in abundance, then you'll really like her music.

Just a suggestion, if you are leaning to Rosie's CDs, you also might want to give a listen to Eva Cassidy (Re. "Songbird"). I think Amazon allows you to listen to a sample. Eva is gone now--taken at an early age due to cancer, but her singing has something very special about it. I can say with full confidence that if you like Rosie Thomas that you will also like Eva Cassidy. I took four of Rosie's songs from two CDs and four of Eva's songs from one CD to put together a great CD for quality listening.

I stumbled on this artist while playing around in iTunes and purchased the CD from Amazon. Rosie has a sound very similar to Sarah McGlaughlin, very soothing. Highly recommended

This is a beautiful sounding recording. But some of the content turns off those who don't believe in folklore and fairytales. Don't get me wrong, that has a place in "atmospheric music." But those who take it literally are viewed by rational people as a bit insane, at best.

To the Reggie Dobalina's of the reviewers who actually have the gall, and naivete to mention "Satan" to those who don't buy into superstition, I'm sorry, but leave the fairytales and mythology to those less talented, and insane.

Rosie Thomas has the talent to be a major talent. I hope she decides to use it.

Rosie Thomas' voice is often laced with the same type of emotion you can hear when someone speaks--a catch in the throat, a drifting to a past moment, a certain sense of sadness.... The simple elements of the compositions seem to only enhance the effect. In the song Farewell, the silence in between her words, is carried by the sound of a note on the piano, lingering... The song is only her voice and the piano. The simplicity creates a composition of truly expressive art. "Farewell" and "Bicycle Tricycle" are the only songs on the album with a strong piano presence; the instrumentation is primarily acoustic guitar.

The music on this album touched me deeply, and brought me to tears. I would also recommend her other albums.

Is it art? Or is it art school?

I came across this artist and this album when I was searching through the musical selections of other Amazon buyers who had purchased some of my other favorites. I'm so glad I did. This album is just hypnotic. I think it would appeal to diverse tastes ranging from fans of Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan to Alison Krauss, Chantal Kreviazuk and Jewel. Rosie has a pure and beautiful voice that can both uplift you and break your heart. My favorite song on this album is "Farewell", perhaps because I just went through a breakup and the simplicity of the song and emotion-laden lyrics take your breath away. My other favorite is "Bicycle Tricycle", a song that appeals to every woman who sometimes aches for the simpler times of childhood, particularly when you've just been hurt. The way that Rosie interjects faint recordings of childhood dialog into her music only add to the beauty of her songs. I would highly recommend this album to anyone looking for a serene escape that will make you smile and, yes, cry...but that's not always a bad thing.

First CD that's brought tears to my eyes in quite some time. Simply raw with emotion, this is a beautiful album.

I bought this album immediately after seeing Rosie in concert. She was the support act for Jewel, and I was just blown away when I heard her voice. This album does not fail to disappoint - Rosie has an amazing voice. The album has an acoustic feel to it - it's simplicity is part of the reason it is so good. Her lyrics are soulful and melodious - ranging from the upbeat "Two dollar shoes", to the beautifully sung "October". I just love this album - I'm sure you will too!

This is a beautiful record. I understand that some of the songs were recorded in Rosie's friends apartment in New York City. In fact the entire album sounds like a love letter to New York City, like some of the old Simon and Garfunkel albums. I really liked the simple production, it really lets the beauty of the music come through - like a beautiful woman without make up. I hope Rosie continues to make this type of album. If you like this album you may also like Laura Gibson's If You Come to Greet Me, another fine record by an under appreciated artist.

Rosie Thomas' new album These Friends of Mine is refreshingly creative. She is one of the most honest songwriters out there, writing intensely personal songs which connect with audiences at a deep level. Rather than singing feel good songs that gloss over life's problems, Rosie is not afraid to ask big questions about love and faith, and to address pain and loneliness. She consistently returns to the idea of childhood and a restlessness for innocence, belonging, and connectedness with others. The last song on the album (These Friends of Mine), clearly expresses her hope that through her singing she might help others find a sense of meaning and belonging and break down the walls which keep us disconnected from each other.

Throughout the album you can sense a struggle to believe in love, to believe that even in the midst of pain and loneliness there is always hope. You sense that we are all struggling to find the same innocent love and faith which only truly exists in childhood - a search which she sings about in Much Further To Go, asking herself if the love she believed in as a child still exists today. Her answer to this question seems to be hope that she will once again find that childlike love, but she must heal from the wounds caused by growing up. Ultimately, her songs are hopeful and challenge all of us to love others more sincerely and learn to love ourselves as we return to a childlike faith.

This is one of my favorite cds. I LOVE Rosie Thomas! The Kite Song is wonderful - the lyrics are touching and the music beautiful.

Bought on a whim, this CD has turned out to be a real treasure. Soft, lyrical and really comforting music. I'm lovin' it. The infectious giggling with her pals on one song has you enjoying it almost as much as they obviously enjoyed making it.

Rosie Thomas is one of my favorite singers. I found her by "accident" over a year ago and have all her music. While this CD is great, it is not my favorite. It lacks some of the wistfulness that has made her music so unique. However, having said that, it is still sweet, silly, and magical and still at times, wistful. I would recommend this to any of her fans.