As promised by the title
of Michelle Malone’s new release, Acoustic
Winter, this CD is more in the folk realm than her previous release, 2012’s
Day 2. And while I
thoroughly enjoyed that release, to my ears this is actually a better album.
And though these are acoustic songs, they are certainly not lacking in energy and
power. Check out “Burning Star,” for example. And even the quieter songs
have an intensity. The songs are mainly dominated by her vocals and acoustic
guitar, but she does have some excellent musicians joining her on this release,
including Randall Bramblett on piano. Most of these tracks are originals. There
are just two covers – one Beatles song and, for good measure, one Rolling Stones
song.
“Home”
Acoustic Winter opens with a wonderful song called “Home.” Recently
I reviewed another CD with a song titled “Home” (Erica Blinn’s Lovers In The Dust) and I wrote
that I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad song with that title. Well, Michelle
Malone provides another good “Home.” Here is a taste of the lyrics: “I’ve been looking my whole life/To find a
place where I felt I belonged/Now that I am by your side/Everything is light
and I am home.” This song has a sweet and comforting vibe, mostly due to
Michelle’s vocals, which have an intimate feel. There is love and joy in her
vocal performance.
“Beyond The Mountain”
“Beyond The Mountain”
boasts some good lyrics like, “Tried to
love somebody who just don’t love me/And I feel like a candle trying to light
up the sky.” I love the imagery of this song. Check out the boxing image: “But I feel like a boxer, eyes too swollen to
see/To go back to my corner and give up the dream.” This song is led by the
vocals and soft, simple playing on acoustic guitar. This is one of my favorite
tracks on this album.
“Mirror Ball”
There is something of a
pop element in the vocal line of “Mirror Ball,” in the verses. The vocals are at
the fore, sounding beautiful, particularly on the chorus: “Underneath the mirror ball my camera caught you/Dancing with a thousand
tiny lights/Underneath the mirror ball up in the heavens/You dance from star to
star for me tonight.” And then she sings, “I haven’t seen you now for years/You would not recognize me.” Such
sad lines. “Everything has changed except
for you.”
“Super Ball”
“Super Ball” is my
favorite track on this CD. I am particularly in love with the vocal line. It’s
beautiful. I also like the touches on piano on this track. Here is a taste of the
lyrics: “Time and time again I have
crashed down/Only to blast back up through the atmosphere/With the sunshine/Leading
me back again/So don’t throw it away/Don’t throw it away/You’re a super ball.”
There is something truly touching about this song. It’s a song that reaches out
to you, a song that keeps you from being alone (with lines like, “You, one of a kind, it’s no mistake/You are
exactly as you should be”). And her vocals are just absolutely wonderful.
“A Walk In The Woods”
“A Walk In The Woods” is
another of the CD’s highlights. I absolutely love this instrumental tune, and
it features some of the best guitar work on the album. I wish it were longer.
It’s actually the shortest track on the album.
The Beatles and The Rolling Stones
Michelle Malone covers
both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones on this CD, clearly not choosing sides
on that old argument. When people used to ask me, “Are you a Beatles person or
a Stones person,” I liked to answer, “Kinks.” Michelle does an interesting
rendition of “Eleanor Rigby.” Her take on this tune is original. There’s a bit
of a mean vibe to this rendition, which works, with something almost harsh in
her delivery at times. And I love when she belts out, “All the lonely people,” giving the line a bluesy edge. I’m also
really fond of the work on bass on this track.
And to keep things even,
she covers the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” one of that band’s most beautiful
compositions. She does a great job with it too, turning in a heartfelt, sincere
vocal performance.
CD Track List
- Home
- Beyond The Mountain
- Burning Star
- Where Is The Love
- Mirror Ball
- Super Ball
- Made To Fly
- Walk In The Woods
- Counting Stars
- Eleanor Rigby
- Missing
- Wild Horses
Musicians
Musicians on this album
include Michelle Malone on vocals, guitar, harmonica and piano; Randall
Bramblett on piano; Troy Harris on upright bass; Ben Holst on lap steel, organ
and percussion; Gerry Hansen on percussion; Trish Land on percussion; and Marty
Kearns on the string arrangement.
Acoustic Winter is scheduled to be released on February 4, 2014 through
SBS Records.
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