Once you’re down from the Moon Palace a record about learning that your happiness depends on yourself, not so much fun to learn, but hopefully… a happy result. Originally on Capitol, they changed hands right as this record was coming out and Gary Gersh let me take the record elsewhere.
Marking her first official album on a major label, Happiness was released in 1993 on Capitol Records. The album represents her first major step into the surreal, self-contained world of dream-pop and psychological exploration that she would end up expanding upon in future releases.
Recorded in New Orleans’ French Quarter by acclaimed producer, Malcolm Burn, Happiness punches up the production with a richer and more atmospheric sound. The songs here are full of contradictions—playful but painful, whimsical but wounded. This is the album where Germano’s signature sound of more hushed vocals, unconventional arrangements, and more experimental sounds truly began to crystallize.
But alas, the pairing of Lisa and Capitol wasn’t the greatest fit. Signed largely on the perceived marketability of “You Make Me Wanto Wear Dresses,” the label had strong opinions on how things should go and Lisa had to make some concessions. One of which was the recording and inclusion of the Lee Hazelwood classic “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.”
“I fought so much at Capitol, like they wouldn’t let me have a mandolin on songs, or the track sequence I wanted, which should be completely the artist’s decision.”
Lisa Germano
Q Magazine (January 1995)
Reluctant covers aside, Happiness was released in the summer of 1993 and received positive reviews from music critics, but this also came during a time where Capitol was going through a large organizational shift and everything came to a halting stop. Lisa was fortunate in that she was able release herself from her contract and take Happiness with her.
Serendipitously, Ivo Watts-Russel, then head of UK label 4AD, had heard the album and worked with Lisa for plans to re-release the album the following year.
Released: July 27, 1993
Label: Capitol Records
Catalog: cpd 0777 7 98691 2 1
Formats: CD, Cassette
Country: US
Availability: Moderate
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Around the World | 4:43 |
| 2 | You Make Me Wanto Wear Dresses | 3:12 |
| 3 | Happiness | 3:45 |
| 4 | Bad Attitude | 4:43 |
| 5 | Sycophant | 4:26 |
| 6 | Miamo-Tutti | 1:20 |
| 7 | Energy | 3:37 |
| 8 | Cowboy | 4:07 |
| 9 | Puppet | 4:01 |
| 10 | These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ | 4:34 |
| 11 | Breathe Acrost Texas | 1:31 |
| 12 | Everyone’s Victim | 4:47 |
| 13 | The Darkest Night of All | 4:41 |
Packaging & Design
The cover of this album features an image of Lisa photographed by Bob Lanois with color manipulation by Jim Morrell.
The artist and title text use a font called Inkbleed, which is the primary font also used for the Capitol Records version of Happiness.
Happiness was released in both cassette and CD formats. The CD was issued as a standard jewel case.
Personnel
All songs written by Lisa Germano except “Sycophant” written by Lisa Germano and Jay Joyce and “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” written by Lee Hazelwood
Produced by Malcolm Burn
Co-produced by Jay Joyce (on “Sycophant”)
Engineering by Giles Reaves, Mark Hood, Mike Griffith, and Paul Mahern
Recorded by John Keane, Malcolm Burn, Mark Howard, Trina Shoemaker, and Wayne Lorenz
Recorded and mixed at Kingsway Studio, New Orleans, LA. Additional recording at Champaign Studio, Nashville, TN and September Studio, Indianapolis, IN.
A&R Representation by Tim Devine
Design by Jeff Fey
Back cover artwork by Haley Goethais
Photography by Malcolm Burn and Bob Lanois
Press Release
Lisa Germano's search for Happiness begins and ends in her own backyard. Lisa makes the most intimate confessions with a fragile vocal style that belies the often tongue-in cheek sarcasm that laces the lyrics. Using violin, guitar, mandolin, and piano she creates shimmering musical backdrops from the Celtic gig of "You Make Me Wanto Wear Dresses" to the violins underlining buzzaw guitars in "Everyone's Victim" and the Indian raga of "Sycophant."
Prior to the June 29 release of Happiness, Lisa will be embarking on the "In Their Own Words" tour with label mate Johnny Clegg, David Baerwald, and Freedy Johnston. The first single and video, "You Make Me Wanto Wear Dresses" will be serviced to PAR, Alternative and College Radio on June 7.
Lisa Germano has toured and recorded with John Mellencamp since the "Scarecrow" tour. In addition, she has toured with Simple Minds and done studio sessions with Bob Seger, U2, the DBs, the Indigo Girls and a host of others.
With numerous four star reviews already under he belt for the independent release Down Under the Moon Palace, including Rolling Stone, Creem and Pulse, Happiness is already garnering early attention from a wide array of print media.
Lisa says that I... "wanted this album to be like whispering in somebody's ear." It would seem that the whisper has turned into a scream.
Related Press
Happiness received favorable reviews from critics, despite the short-lived marketing efforts by Capitol before Germano departed from her contract.
Lisa Germano: Happiness
Lisa Germano: Happiness
Loud Rebel
Lisa Germano: The Pursuit of Happiness
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