Jeni Grouws

Music House

Navy House Productions

After almost ten years fronting the Billboard-charting Avey Grouws Band, Jeni Grouws is stepping into an exciting new chapter with her debut solo album, Music House. With all songs penned by Grouws and recorded at Purple House Studios in Nashville with Grammy-winning producer Casey Wasner (TajMo, Robben Ford), the album brings together Grouws, Wasner, Brian Allen, Mike Hicks, Johnny Duke, and a list of exciting special guests including Drew Smithers (Marcus King), Roy Agee, Evan Cobb, Matt Fuller, Nick Vasquez, David Abdo, Kyshona, and Anne Harris. Blending blues, soul, and roots rock with a passion for songwriting, Grouws delivers an American roots sound that is both powerful and heartfelt. With her commanding vocals, magnetic stage presence, and unmistakable warmth, Grouws is a treat for the ears as well as for the heart.

Vocalist Grouws opens with “Running Ragged,” joined by bassist Brian Allen, keyboardist Mike Hicks, great electric guitar from Johnny Duke, and the infectious Wasner on drums and percussion. Grouws sings, “I’m tired of runnin’ up and down the same old hill, who knew that ten years later I’d be here still. Waitin’ for my turn just taken’ my time, knowin’ that eventually it will be mine. Runnin’ myself ragged, Peter, Paul, and Etta watchin’ over me. Two to guide my soul and the third to set me free. Mama always said I just gotta believe, but I believe I’ve got more work to so than I can achive now. Runnin’ myself ragged yeah, I’m always under the gun, one stop forward, two steps back, yeah, I’m always on the run.”

On “Burning for You,” guitarist Matt Fuller replaces Duke, while the background vocalist is Kyshona. Grouws chimes, “You said you’d pick me up in just a few. Now it’s been hours and I don’t know what to do. And I’m on fire, I’m on fire. And I’m losing my mind sitting here burning for you…I know you’re busy but you said we had a date, and now you tell me that you gotta work late. Well I’m on fire, I’m on fire. And I’m losing my mind sitting here burning for you.”

“When I Get Back to You” includes the gentle horn section of Emmanuel Echern, trumpet; Roy Agee, trombone; and Evan Cobb, tenor saxophone. Grouws chants, “You got me feeling out of control. One whisper and I’m blushing, your voice is rushing straight to my soul. You got me actin’ a fool it’s true and I don’t mind that I get giddy cuz I get to spend some time with you. You got me flying like a kite in the breeze, you got me soaring and I’m pouring my heart out, I’m weak in the knees, well I used to be steady, I used to be smooth, now I’m singing silly songs in my car while I’m dreaming ’bout you.”

On “Show Me That You Love Me,” with the more raucous horns, guitarist Johnny Duke, and backing vocalist Kyshona, Grouws belts out, “Show me that you love me, that I’m all you’ll ever need, tell me that this feeling, I’m feeling, isn’t only me. Yeah, now show me that you need me, that I’m yours alone, give me that deep down, feel good feeling, I’ve been looking for…’cause I tried so hard to be good and I just can’t help myself.”

On the topical “Let Your Eyes Lay Low,” with Anne Harris on violin, Grouws moans, “There are days when the grays weigh heavy on your head, when the weight of the state of the world feels like lead. So rest, old girl, rest, let your eyes lay low, life will keep on movin’ outside your window.”

On “Old Dive Bar,” Grouws groans, “Well I’m a-wanderin’ down the street. Keeping time with my feet, but my feet keep dragin’ behind. Well my eyes look up the path. There ain’t no turning back. See I’m a seeker and I know I can find. The meaning of life or a beer that’s just right. Sometimes I think they’re one and the same. So pour me a Schlitz, it’ll do to get blitzed. Life’s meaning will just have to wait…so when I’m feeling low, I know just where to go. Where everybody knows your name. You can find me at my Old Dive Bar.”

“Fool” features Drew Smithers on slide guitar, as Grouws cries, “I’ve been wearing these tears like a coat. Draggin’ your love around my throat. They ask me if I’m fine, I say ‘hell yes’ but I’m a mess…but a serial lover gets off on the dance, I was just a victim of circumstance, I want to see you happy, I want to set you free, but baby you should know, you make a fool of me.”

On “Waiting,” Grouws plays acoustic guitar as she bursts, “I’m sitting here staring at the clock on the wall. Been staring for so long that the second hand has slowed to a crawl, calling on St. Agatha and wishing I had more alcohol. I’m just sitting here staring at the clock on the wall.”

“Heartbreak and Misery” once again features the horn section, with Duke on guitar and Wasner on drums and rhythm guitar. Grouws wails, “I can see you’ve got eyes on me from across the floor. You want to come a little closer, ’cause you think you want a little more. But it’s a minefield baby in the space between you and me. Right now you’re three steps away from heartbreak and misery. 1: You hold me close, we fit like a glove. 2: You think you’re special, you think you’re in love. 3: I break your heart and bring you to your knees. So stay right there three steps from heartbreak and misery.”

On the rocker “One Up from the Well,” with bassist David Abdo, guitarist Matt Fuller, and keyboardist Nick Vasquez, Grouws declares, “Well, I’m a hard worker and I’m getting tired of where I stand, seems I’m the lowest of low and I can’t get no dough, so here I am. See last week I got promoted and then I got demoted, cuz some hot shot got in the way. And I’m fed up with this feeling, I could use a little healing, and I’m better than the rail today. So hey barkeep, I’m tired of the cheap, let’s go one up from the well.”

On the closer, “Make Your Way,” Grouws croons, “Drivin’ late, the moon is tired, of holding up the night, you feel the chill of an early dawn, but you cannot see the light. Tell me why you’re so afraid, of all that lies ahead, don’t you know that when the rooster crows, it’s to wake you from your bed. Oh, lighten your load, oh, on the open road and make your way.”

Jeni Grouws has it all. She is an evocative songwriter with powerful vocals sung with clarity and conviction. She is a compelling new voice in American roots music. Music House is an award-worthy performance.

Richard Ludmerer