FOLK CRUNCH

Friday, March 12, 2010

CHARLOTTE THISTLE BAND: WILD WIND


Charlotte Thistle Band gives us another treasure trove of gems with the new CD release Wild Wind.

Wild Wind follows Charlotte's suburb 2005 release A Girl With A Guitar and both her voice and musical style have matured nicely. The first track on the disc, What if I'd Stayed, grabbed my ears and pulled me in right away. It's the perfect song to listen to alone on a dark, rainy night and the lyrics alternately brought a feeling of melancholy and a smile to my face. The clarinet on this tune gives a nice and different touch - a smoky, jazz club feel that really gets under your skin. Coward is another track that stands out and also has a jazz feel within the vocals and Andy Short's bass line.

Charlotte is an excellent lyricist and her song writing is genuine and thought provoking without being abrasive. This really comes through on Dare To Resist. My favorite track on the album, Dare To Resist, has a gypsy guitar style I love and is a wonderful and emotionally powerful song. Dare . . . brings vivid imagery to mind that pulls at the heart and Ann Petry's 1946 novel The Street immediately came to mind.

Light A Fire also got under my skin and transported me, bringing a vision of New York City's streets; the sights, smell, and sounds coming vividly to my mind. Charlotte channels the Jazz Chanteuse on Lap of Luxury and, once again, Joel Tepp's clarinet adds an excellent touch. The title track Wild Wind brings a nice, rounded finish to the album with a country-tinged story song.

Although recorded with a band, the other musicians accompany Charlotte without drowning her out - something that can be hard for an acoustic artist to achieve in the recording process. The seasoned and talented cast of players: Andy Short on bass; Joel Tepp playing clarinet; and Russ Johnson in a variety of roles, support Charlotte's singing and guitar work without being overbearing - a true group effort. Wild Wind is a complete, thoughtful and genuine recording that comes from a true artist. [The CD also features beautiful cover art from the late Brenda Zager] For a night of Real Music, and to get your own copy of Wild Wind, get on down to Conor Byrne on Friday, April 2 for the CD Release Party.

QUESTIONNAIRE! WITH CHARLOTTE THISTLE . . .

WHAT IS YOUR PERFECT IDEA OF HAPPINESS?
Living in Rivendell.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Hmmm ..... Eviction?

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR MOST OVERRATED VIRTUE?
Tendency to cuss & speak my mind. (Is that a virtue or a sin?)

ON WHAT OCCASIONS DO YOU LIE?
When talking to authority figures.

WHO OR WHAT IS THE GREATEST LOVE OF YOUR LIFE?
The art of dancing.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE WHAT TO COME BACK AS WHAT WOULD IT BE?
??

WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
A talent for making money.

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS?
Cowardice.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
Long hot showers and baths.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST REGRET?
Failing to recognize the value of education earlier in my life.

WHICH HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Joan of Arc.

WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
Ani di Franco.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My guitar, or my teddy bear. Or my cat,but I'm not sure she ought to count as a 'possession'.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I'd have a bachelor's degree.

WHAT IS YOU MOTTO?
Fight to stay independent. Don't make compromises to art or integrity for money.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

WORDS TO LIVE BY


To be healthy: eat right, walk right, and talk to yourself right.

May you have love, kindness, and compassion for all living things.

Don't take pride in taking. Give and you will be given virtues.


Learn to be noble, courteous, and committed.

Where there is love, there is no question.