From: owner-little-wings-digest@smoe.org (little-wings-digest) To: little-wings-digest@smoe.org Subject: little-wings-digest V4 #22 Reply-To: little-wings@smoe.org Sender: owner-little-wings-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-little-wings-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk little-wings-digest Friday, March 1 2002 Volume 04 : Number 022 Today's Subjects: ----------------- little-wings: "Five Stories" Review posted to folkmusic digest, Vol 1 #452 ["W.P. Fleischmann" Subject: little-wings: "Five Stories" Review posted to folkmusic digest, Vol 1 #452 Roberta B. Schwartz, Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange (FAME) granted permision for me to repost the following review: >>Bill W.P. Fleischmann VP, Research & Development, MedCharge, Inc. mailto:bfleischmann@medcharge.com ============= Five Stories Kris Delmhorst http://www.krisdelmhorst.com BB003 Big Bean Music P.O. Box 440283 Somerville, MA 02144 A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Roberta B. Schwartz (rschwartz@oeb.harvard.edu) A couple of years back, Signature Sounds put out a memorable compilation of Boston area "girls with guitars" called RESPOND. Of the many voices on that recording, Kris Delmhorst, singing her signature tune "Weatherman," stood out. And hearing that tune only whet your appetite for more of Delmhorst's music. Her new recording, FIVE STORIES, fulfills her earlier promise and more. Ranging from pop to rock to folk to country, and everything in between, there's nothing that Kris can't sing, nor anything the talented band she has surrounded herself with, can't play. These are musician's musicians. Starting off with a little country rock number called "Cluck Old Hen," Kris and company demonstrate that this band can rock! Billy Conway on drums drives the beat, while Kris on both guitar and organ, Sean Staples on banjo and Jake Beyer on electric guitar bring it on home. "Damn Love Song" is a ballad; a love song that describes both the wonder and pain of love. Delmhorst's voice is soft, sweet and expressive here, with quick flights into the upper reaches of her range, almost breaking with emotion before reaching back. Losing out on love gets a run for its money in "Broken White Line," which is graced with both Sean Staples' mandolin and Jennifer Kimball's accompanying vocals. There is a guarded vulnerability, something in the way Delmhorst's voice trembles and breaks, that makes her vocal style so alluring. She's at her best here, with lyrics that shine:"it was almost fine /you were almost mine, /& town to town we chased it down /on a broken white line." All of the songs are so good, it's difficult not to mention every one. "Little Wings" is a near perfect rocker, while "Words Fail You," with Delmhorst's aching vocals, perfectly evoke the difficulties we all have with love and intimacy. And how can you miss by having Catie Curtis on board? "Yellow Brick Road" turns the Oz odyssey on its head with its firm message of self-reliance. Possessed of a rich melody and some of the finest writing on the recording, this tune is a standout. "Mean Old Wind" is pure, traditional country with Eric Royer on banjo. "Honeyed Out" is a sexy R&B tune with a supporting cast of musicians a mile long in talent. The recording closes with a beautiful little lullaby called "Lullaby 101." Just Delmhorst and guitar - it's a gem. Kris Delmhorst's pure musicianship, unique vocals and overall sound place her in a category where she has few peers. FIVE STORIES is a testament to that talent. It is one of the best recordings of the year. Track List: Cluck Old Hen Damn Love Song Broken White Line Little Wings Words Fail You Just What I Meant Yellow Brick Road Garden Rose Mean Old Wind Honeyed Out Gave It Away Lullaby 101 Edited by David N. Pyles Copyright 2002, Peterborough Music Society and Roberta B. Schwartz. This review may be reprinted with prior permission and attribution. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 18:58:14 -0800 From: "baystate" Subject: little-wings: message from folkmusic list >Message: 2 >From: Davidlamotte@aol.com >Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 16:11:44 EST >To: folkmusic@grassyhill.org >Subject: [FM] Christine Kane, Kris Delmhorst >Reply-To: folkmusic@grassyhill.org > >Just a quick note to second a couple of David Broida's observations. I >should admit that Christine is a long time friend of mine, but that being >said, this new record is the finest work she's ever done. And that's saying >something. It's been in very high rotation in Dan the Tan Van. Ben Wisch's >production is dead on. > >And Kris Delmhorst was my find of the weekend. I had heard her name, but not >her music. Lovely, lovely, lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed the craft of the >songs, her voice, the melodies, etc. I also loved the spirit of the songs, >though. "Little Wings" had such a refreshing grounded message in the >whirlwind of Folk Alliance. > >There are always many more things missed than heard and seen at FA (only got >to nod at David Broida, in fact) but it was nourishing just to stand in that >big circle of folks again. > >Peace, > >David ------------------------------ End of little-wings-digest V4 #22 *********************************