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Katy Hudson (album)

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Katy Hudson
Studio album by
Katy Hudson
ReleasedMarch 6, 2001 (2001-03-06)
Studio
  • The Velvet Elvis, Nashville
  • House of Tom, Cool Springs
  • Sound Kitchen, Cool Springs
  • Kong's Cage, Franklin, Tennessee
Genre
Length48:11
LabelRed Hill
Producer
  • Tommy Collier
  • Otto Price
  • David Browning
Katy Perry chronology
Katy Hudson
(2001) 		Ur So Gay
(2007)

Katy Hudson is the eponymous debut studio album by the American singer Katy Hudson, later known as Katy Perry.[2] It was released on March 6, 2001, by Red Hill Records. The album, unlike the subsequent albums that made her known worldwide,[3] primarily incorporates Christian rock and contemporary Christian music elements with lyrical themes of childhood, adolescence, and Hudson's faith in God. Before its release, Red Hill went bankrupt, preventing it from marketing and promoting the album, which subsequently sold about 200 copies and received mixed reviews.[2]

Background

Growing up in a conservative household and raised by pastor parents, Hudson spent most of her childhood with gospel music, as secular music was not permitted. At the age of 15, she began pursuing a career in music and started recording demos and learning to write songs, capturing the attention of Red Hill Studios, who signed her a deal. Hudson then began working on her debut album Katy Hudson.[4]

Music and lyrics

Themes and influences

Katy Hudson saw Hudson exploring Christian rock and contemporary Christian music (CCM).[3] Amongst what was described as an alternative direction were prominent influences of pop rock. During an interview for her official website at the time, Hudson cited artists Jonatha Brooke, Jennifer Knapp, Diana Krall, and Fiona Apple as her musical influences. The album was described as eschewing bubblegum pop and evoking Christian pop songstresses Rachael Lampa and Jaci Velasquez.[5]

Songs

"Trust in Me", "Naturally", and "My Own Monster" were said to capture "loneliness, fear and doubt often ascribed to teens".[6]

The first features "haunting" strings with "electronica effects" and "solid rock roots".[7] An aggressive track, "Piercing" depicts the infatuation people have with expendable things. In "Piercing", Hudson sings: "Lord, help me see the reality / That all I'll ever need is You".[6] "Last Call" was written by Hudson while reading the book Last Call for Help: Changing North America One Teen at a Time, written by Dawson McAllister. Musically, it sees Hudson going into a more jazz-oriented sound.[3] Hudson described "Growing Pains" as an anthem for children and adolescents, explaining that society shares a misconstructed image of them, often viewing them as individuals that do not believe in or do not know much about God.[8]

"Faith Won't Fail" was inspired by faith always sufficing in Bible situations and chapters; and Hudson commented on "Search Me": "I was struggling with the fact that I would have the huge responsibility of how others would be affected through what I was doing or saying on stage. I don't want to put on some kind of front that everything is good when it's not. I wanted to keep it real, but still give people hope." The record closes with "When There's Nothing Left", which has been described as a "crisp and clean 'love note' to God".[9]

Release and promotion

The album was released on March 6, 2001. It was released on two formats: the standard CD and cassette tape.[10][better source needed] The album was a commercial failure for bankrupted Red Hill Records, only selling between 100 and 200 copies.[2]

Tour

To promote the album, Hudson went on the Strangely Normal Tour, with Phil Joel, Earthsuit, and V*Enna[11] and later embarked on 46 solo performances throughout the United States.[12]

Charts

The song "Trust in Me" spent two weeks on the Radio & Records Christian Rock chart, peaking at number 17.[13] "Search Me" also appeared on the Christian CHR chart, spending three weeks and peaking at number 23.[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
BillboardPositive[15]
Christianity TodayPositive[7]
Cross Rhythms[16]
The Phantom Tollbooth[5]

The album received generally mixed reviews from critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic awarded the record three stars out of five, stating that with the album, Hudson had "betray[ed] a heavy, heavy debt to Alanis Morissette". Erlewine described the record's overall sound as "the kind of assaultive, over-produced Wall of Sound that some CCM rockers do in order to prove they're contemporary".[3]

Christianity Today writer Russ Breimeier was positive about Katy Hudson, highlighting Hudson's songwriting style for being "insightful and well matched to the emotional power" of Hudson's music. He further deemed Hudson a "young talent" and expected to hear more from her in the next year.[7] Similarly, Tony Cummings from Cross Rhythms also considered Hudson to be a "vocal talent", recommending readers to listen to the album.[16] The Phantom Tollbooth's Andy Argyrakis stated that Hudson having been reared in church had "paid off", and noted that "Although a mere pop lightweight, it's hard to ignore Hudson's sincerity and lyrical maturity."[5] DEP from Billboard, also calling Hudson a talent, classified the record as "textured modern-rock collection that is equal parts grit and vulnerability" and "impressive".[15]

Aftermath

Katy Hudson is the only Christian music-influenced album by Hudson, who subsequently adopted Katy Perry as her stage name.[17] After her popularity increased, previously sold copies of Katy Hudson have become a sought-after item amongst her fans.[2] The album is not available on any streaming services.[4] In a 2024 interview with Zane Lowe, Perry acknowledged Katy Hudson as her first album but did not foresee herself performing its songs.[18]

Track listing

Credits extracted from Katy Hudson liner notes.[19]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Trust in Me"Katy Hudson, Mark DicksonOtto Price4:46
2."Piercing"Hudson, Tommy Collier, Brian WhiteCollier4:07
3."Search Me"Hudson, Collier, Scott FaircloffCollier5:01
4."Last Call"HudsonDavid Browning3:07
5."Growing Pains"Hudson, DicksonBrowning4:05
6."My Own Monster"HudsonBrowning5:25
7."Spit"HudsonPrice5:10
8."Faith Won't Fail"Hudson, DicksonPrice5:14
9."Naturally"Hudson, FaircloffBrowning4:33
10."When There's Nothing Left"HudsonBrowning6:45
Total length:48:11

Personnel

Adapted from Katy Hudson liner notes.[19]

  • Katy Hudson – lead vocals (1–10), background vocals (2, 7, 8)
  • Tommy Collier – production (2, 3), acoustic guitars (1), guitars (3), keyboards (2, 3), loops (2, 3)
  • Otto Price – production (1, 7, 8), synthesizers (1, 7, 8), bass (1, 2, 4–10), loops (2), programming (1, 7, 8), B-3 (1, 8), additional guitars (7, 8)
  • Scott Faircloff – piano (2), keyboards (2, 3), wurlitzer (3)
  • David Browning – production (4–6, 9, 10), keyboards and programming (4–6, 9, 10), B-3 (7), piano (8), string arrangements (5, 9, 10)
  • Chris Graffagnino – guitars (4-6, 9, 10)
  • Barry Graul – electric guitars/12-str (1), guitars (7, 8)
  • Tony Morra – drums (2–6, 9, 10)
  • Scott Williamson – drums (7, 8)
  • Greg Herrington – drums (1), additional drums (7)
  • Matt Pierson – bass (3)
  • Jeffrey Scot Wills – saxophone (4)
  • Otto Price, III – wah guitar (8)
  • David McMullan – brass (7)
  • Kim Palsma – woodwinds (1, 8)
  • David Davidson – violin (1, 7)
  • Kristin Wilkinson – viola (1, 7)
  • John Catchings – cello (1, 7)
  • Mark Stuart (of Audio Adrenaline) – background vocals (1)
  • Stacy Tiernan – background vocals (3)

References

Citations

  1. ^ Owings 2015, p. 24.
  2. ^ a b c d Summers 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Katy Hudson – Katy Hudson". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Nilles, Billy (March 6, 2021). "When Katy Perry Was Katy Hudson: A Look Back at the Pop Star's Christian Album Debut 20 Years Later". E!. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Argyrakis, Andy (February 6, 2001). "Katy Hudson – a Review of The Phantom Tollbooth". The Phantom Tollbooth. Archived from the original on February 28, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Katy's bio". katyhudson.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2001. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Breimeier, Russ (January 1, 2001). "Katy Hudson: Katy Hudson". Christianity Today. Christianity Today International. Archived from the original on January 31, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  8. ^ Maloney & McAllister 1999.
  9. ^ "Growing Pains lyrics (incorrect title)". katyhudson.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2001. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  10. ^ Howard, Drew (February 2, 2020). "Revisiting Katy Hudson's Debut Album, 19 Years Later". popcravenews.com. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Martin, David (May 6, 2003). "The Strangely Normal Tour – Phil Joel, Earthsuit, V*Enna & Katy Hudson". Epinions.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Katy's tour info". katyhudson.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2001. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  13. ^ "Christian" (PDF). Radio & Records: 149. May 25, 2001. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  14. ^ "Christian" (PDF). Radio & Records. August 31, 2001.
  15. ^ a b DEP (June 2, 2001). "Katy Hudson – Katy Hudson". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  16. ^ a b Cummings, Tony (July 26, 2001). "Katy Hudson – Katy Hudson". Cross Rhythms. Cornerstone House. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  17. ^ Cutforth, Dan; Lipsitz, Jane (directors); Perry, Katy (autobiographer) (July 5, 2012). Katy Perry: Part of Me (Motion picture). United States; filmed in studios: Insurge Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Perry Productions et la.: Paramount Pictures.
  18. ^ Lowe, Zane (September 19, 2024). "Katy Perry: New Album 143, Motherhood, & Tour". Event occurs at 30:19. Retrieved September 27, 2024 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ a b Katy Hudson (liner notes). Katy Hudson. Red Hill Records. 2001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  • Maloney, Dayle; McAllister, Dawson (1999). Last Call for Help: Changing North America One Teen at a Time. ASIN 0966411854.
  • Summers, Kimberly Dillon (2012). Katy Perry: A Biography. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781440801006.
  • Owings, Lisa (2015). Katy Perry: Chart-Topping Superstar. ABDO Publishing. p. 24. ISBN 9781629693095.
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