Julie Clark Wing |
JULIE
CLARK |
A real
standout on this album is Julie's expert vocal harmony work. Her backup singing
sticks like pitch-perfect butterscotch to her expertly sung lead vocals, and are
on par with the best harmony work by artists like Alanis Morisette, Wilson
Philips and James Taylor.
Interestingly, every song on Feel Free (except perhaps the last, delightfully
Zen-like track "GETTIN' THERE") is written in the second person - to a
"you". Thus the album offers quite a direct, personal kind of
listening experience, as we hear Julie really speak her heart to us. The
characters she sings to all seem to exist in the local setting of her own home
town - and with the many references throughout the CD to home and family - the
listener is sent into a kind of modern Our Town, as if a resident of her own
community.
With it's spooky, hypnotic vocal hook and pop-catchiness, the tune SHE'S MOVIN'
ON might just be the breakout hit single from the album. Feel Free even includes
a wedding song (as fine a one as any I've heard) called WHATEVER IT TAKES. This
moving tribute to traditional love will surely find an extended life getting
covered in weddings to come across the land.
My personal favorite track on Feel Free is the bittersweet ballad - YOUR WINGS,
written by Julie to her mom and about her youth. The insightful lyrics on
childhood remembrances (and especially the characterization of a child's
idolizing love of mother), skillfully crafted from all kinds of everyday little
kid memories, really struck an emotional chord with this listener. With each
listen to this track I found myself recalling things about my own mom &
childhood I had forgotten. The song made me cry.
The overall sonic
production of "Feel Free" is crystal clear and beautifully transparent
- with each instrument/vocal distinct, and with Julie's voice sitting nicely
within the mix. One can even hear the "silences" and
"spaces" within the soundscape on this CD - it was recorded so well.
Musician/Producers Rich Mossman & David Mills contribute mightily to Feel
Free, especially on drums & bass, respectively. Julie generously acknowledges
all her co-artists in the CD booklet, and it would be a real treat indeed to
hear the CD's cast perform live together.
Julie was voted 2003 Folk/Acoustic Artist of the Year from the Virginia Music
Awards and was a Newport Folk Festival Talent Search Finalist.
JULIE CLARK - "FEEL FREE" on GREAT BIG RECORDS
available at www.cdbaby.com
visit: www.julieclark.net
Music &
Arts Reviews by ROBERT URBAN published at:
www.stonewallsociety.com
www.gayentertainment.us
www.outvoice.net
www.raggedblade.com
www.roberturban.com
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