To Catie Curtis life is sweet. Her music shouts optimism. It's all about life's joys. She writes and performs with a complete vision of the happiness that she has found in her life, in her partnership with her mate, and with her two daughters she describes as her "two reasons more". "Sweet Life" continues with themes of love, commitment, and family that are heard throughout her "Long Night Moon" project. Catie's second release by the Compass Record label, "Sweet Life" continues to shine with optimism in the face of life's challenges. Caitie's attitude is that there is so much pain in this world that to speak of joys of life in her writing is uplifting.

Thematically, Catie speaks to real life circumstances through out this project. She deals with life's disappointments by focusing on the positive outcomes. The title track of this CD conveys her journey, rift with missteps, which have lead to the "Sweet Life" that she has today. Clearly "Sweet Life" is a personal song written from the heart expressing her life's journey. "For Now" is a softer, sweet tune about letting go of the frenetic world at the end of the day, at least "For Now". Catie changes pace a bit with a honky tonk on "Lovely" while "Soul Meets Body" has a funky little beat to it. "The Princess and The Mermaid" is clearly a personal tune speaking about how her life and relationship has changed since her "two reasons more" have formed the nucleus of their family life. In this song, she professes her bond with her life partner as they face the challenges of parenting. Each tune in the project is spoken from her heart and from her experience. This is a project to which everyone can relate.

At the core of Catie's success is her prolific lyrics that personally speak to life's day to day challenges. Pay close attention to her lyrics and let them lift you up in optimism. As in her "Long Night Moon" project, "Sweet Life" is well produced. The instrumentation and vocals are mixed such that each layer is clearly heard yet in sync with the rest. This is a wonderful piece of work to make you smile with optimism.

Project Title:		Sweet Live
Artist:		Catie Curtis
Released:		2008 Compass Records
Produced by:		Garry West
Recorded and Mixed:		Erick Jaskowiak at Compas Sound Studio, Nashville, TN assisted by Stephanie Hudacek and Kyle Ford
Mastered:		Randy LeRoy at Final Stage Mastering, Nashville, TN
Record Label:		Compass Records

Song List/Credits

Sweet Life		(Catie Curtis/Fred Wilhelm, Water Tower Music – ASCAP/Music of Stage Three/Not More Music, admin by Stage three Music - BMI)
Are You Ready to Fly?		(Catie Curtis, Water Tower Music - ASCAP)
Everything Waiting to Grow		(Catie Curtis, Water Tower Music - ASCAP)
For Now		(Catie Curtis/Fred Wilhelm, Water Tower Music – ASCAP/Music of Stage Three/Not More Music, admin by Stage three Music - BMI)
Happy		(Catie Curtis/Fred Wilhelm, Water Tower Music – ASCAP/Music of Stage Three/Not More Music, admin by Stage three Music - BMI)
What You Can't Believe		(Catie Curtis/Fred Wilhelm, Water Tower Music – ASCAP/Music of Stage Three/Not More Music, admin by Stage three Music - BMI)
Lovely		(Catie Curtis, Water Tower Music - ASCAP)
Sing		(Catie Curtis, Water Tower Music - ASCAP)
Soul Meets Body		(Benjamin Gibbard, Where I'm Calling From Music – BMI, EMI Blackwood Music, Inc – BMI)
Fools		(Catie Curtis, Water Tower Music - ASCAP)
The Princess and the Mermaid		(Catie Curtis, Water Tower Music - ASCAP)
Over		(Catie Curtis, Water Tower Music - ASCAP)

Guest Artists
George Marinelli – Electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin
Alison Prestwood – Bass
Shannon Forest – Drums, Percussion
Phil Madeira - Piano, Accordion, National Guitar
Mark T. Jordan – Organ, Piano, Wurltizer
Erick Jaskowiak – Percussion
Ingrid Graudins – Backing Vocals
Jon Randall Steward – Backing Vocals

The CD under review was received from Compass Records free of charge.