Tuesday, February 7, 2012

CD Review” “Beautiful and Wild” by Amelia White

Amelia White1

Beautiful and Wild

The first impression I got was a voice like a young Ronstadt with a definite Dixie hue; passionate, pure, made to sing poetry. In many ways her voice IS the album title - Beautiful and Wild - although the title was inspired by someone else.

The music, despite the Nashville pedigree, is more folk music, maybe folk/pop Roots Music, Americana, than country. The influence are drawn from a large swath of musical history; The Beatles (listen to the way “Skeleton Key” matches the guitar notes – played marvelously by Doug Lancio – to the lyric the way The Beatles did “I Want You”) The Stones, Neil Young, a thousand blues men and women and a splash of James Taylor for tenderizer.

The lyrics are poetry, with mysterious hidden meanings, not narratives. The themes and imagery of the songs are bad love (“St. Christopher”) the loss of loved ones (“Beautiful and Wild”, “Sidewalks”), life’s ups and downs (“Mercy”, “Rider Ghost”) and other themes where souls are lost and found as they connect with demons and saint in this world and others. Out of that Mulligan Stew of musical mileage, White manages to paint pictures with words and sounds that are full of emotion, lay the soul bare, are subtly sexy, and most of all, honest and real.  

 

“Beautiful and Wild” Amelia White

 

Beautiful and Wild is professionally and wonderfully produced by Marco Giovino (Band of Joy) and is peppered with some great players: Doug Lancio, from John Hiatt’s band is on guitar and mandolin. John Jackson (Bob Dylan and Shelby Lynn) on guitar and harmonica, Frank Swart covers the lowdown on bass. he’s played with Patty Griffin, American Astronaut (formerly Billy Nayer Show) & Funkwrench and engineered the first recordings for The Pixies. Marco Giovino not only produces, but bangs the drums and plays the accordion and shakes your soul on other percussion instruments.

On keys is the Grammy Winning Billy Earheart who not only played piano for Hank Jr. for 21 years but is the original Hammond B-3 Organist and pianist for The Amazing Rhythm Aces. Billy E is the soul of the south on keys and has also toured with R&B legend Al Green, Eddie Hinton, Memphis Slim, BB King and has appeared on over 200 albums to date.

A.White

There’s a nice little string section on some of the cuts. Molly Thomas is on violin and Larissa Maestro on cello. Backing and other vocals are provided by A.J. Croce (Jim Croce’s son), Ann and Regina McCrary, the great gospel singers from the BCM Mass Choir who have toured with Dylan – who Regina has partnered with for over 20 years! “Everything that I shared and experienced onstage with Bob Dylan has played a big role in who I am and where I am today in my life.” says Regina. They’ve also toured with Stevie Wonder, Tyler Perry. Regina also acts, she’s been in the  stage version of the blockbuster hit comedies “Madea’s Family Reunion,” as Momma Mattie, and “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” as Angelo. She has also appeared in the following touring plays: “Something Within,” “What A Difference A Day Makes,” “Gotta Find Me An Angel” and “Crazy Love,” starring Tommy Ford from the hit TV show “Martin,” .

We’ve also got Tomi Lunsford, Mando Saenz, Scott Carter and Melissa Wolf on vocals.

Beautiful and Wild is White’s fifth studio album following 1999s Comes and Goes, 2001s, Blue Souvenirs which led to relentless North American and European tours. Then came Black Doves and then the critically acclaimed Motorcycle Dream which was also a hit for Ann McCue.

Beautiful and Wild may just be her best to date. It’s easy to catch this lady in a live show, ‘cause she is a true road warrior, check here for dates and venues or here is the schedule:

Feb. 9th  New Haven CT. CAFE NINE 9 pm sharp   ( two sets 9, and 10 one is the great Rob Morseberger, and one is me with Rob sitting in)

Feb. 10th  Somerville, Ma. BULL MCCABES PUB , 8 pm Sharp ( one set with Russell Chud, and some special guests on bass and drums and vocals for a few tunes)

11th  Live Radio interveiw on WMBR Boston/Cambridge radio 9:30 AM with DJ DOUG GESSLER

Feb. 12th  New York, New York THE LIVING ROOM - great spot... 7 pm sharp is the Great Clare Burson , 8 pm sharp is Amelia with Special guests as sidemen Peter Calo and Rob Morseberger, and Clare Burson on guest vocals...

Feb 16th Family Wash East Nashvllle

     9 pm Rob Morseberger opens solo

     10 Amelia and full band plus special guests 

Feb. 17th The Rudyard Kipling  Louisville, KY w/ Rob Morseberger

Feb. 18th Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe Frankfork, KY w/ Rob Morseberger

Feb. 19th Ragamuffin Music Hall Atlanta, Ga. w/ Rob Morseberger

Feb. 23-25 Amelia White @ Folk Alliance International, Memphis Tn.


And while you are at it, give her some love on FaceBook

 

The Dirty Lowdown

Copyright © 2012 Robert Carraher All Rights Reserved

1 comment:

  1. Great review about a TREMENDOUS artist! I lovelovelove Amelia White and this record is fantastic!

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