By Ken Davis
The South Bend Tribune | October 23, 1993
Happiness is the second album by South Bend native Lisa Germano, the multi-talented violin and mandolin player who helped bring a sea change of folk and country influences into John Mellencamp’s music beginning with the tour for his “Scarecrow” album.
Still contributing to Mellencamp’s work (her efforts are heard throughout his most recent release “Human Wheels”), Germano also has recorded or performed with Bob Seger, Billy Joel, U2, the Indigo Girls and Simple Minds.
Her debut album, “On the Way Down From the Moon Palace,” released on her own Major Bill label brought germano’s talent for songwriting to the attention of Capitol Records.
“Happiness” is Germano’s first major label release, and rather than pander to the expectations of listeners familiar with Mellencamp’s populist roots rock, it is demanding yet ultimately rewarding work.
Although the album has an overall tone of reflection and commiseration, its themes are communicated by a broad spectrum of musical styles. In the songs “Around the World” and “Bad Attitude,” Germano accepts responsibility for her own feelings in an empowering fashion.
Germano’s vocals are far more confident than on her first album and her songs are more structured. The songs themselves show a range of influences from Irish music to Appalachian folk to Middle Eastern and country, rock and classical music.
Germano’s work on this album inspires comparison with a whole raft of women musicians. Embodying the evocative soundscapes of Kate Bush and the emotional honesty of Joni Mitchell, “Happiness” also resounds with the folksy experimentalism of Suzanne Vega.
The sumptuous, atmospherics of “Happiness” were conjured up through the efforts of the album producer Malcolm Burn, who works with noted U2 producer Daniel Lanois, and also coproduced Mellencamp’s latest album.
