Something I Said -- Review of singer-songwriter Pieta Brown "One and All"

Something I Said - Pieta BrownRemarkably gifted with both a distinct voice that
Dwight Hobbes - Twin Cities Daily Planetleans toward the pensive and superior songwriting
Singer-songwriter Pieta Brown's One and All on St.skills, she shows with One and All that rare ability
Paul's Red House Records is a fine follow-up toto put together a full album on which each
the EP Shimmer, her excellent debut on the label.offering sounds freshly inspired. While they all
In fact, remarkably enough, it is an improvement.have her trademark, wistful reflection delivered in
Shimmer, a seven-song disc, provided a solidbrilliant tones, not a single selection comes off as
showcase for Brown's bright vocals and wellbeing one of the others simply reworked.
crafted compositions. You get five more this timeHighlights include the fetching, "Other Way
around and, accordingly, a broader range ofAround," bluesy with a seductive lilt and lyrics like,
moods in her vocals and textures in her material."If wishes were horses/ I would ride/ Down to
It's hard to recall a folk-influenced lady with Pietathe river/ Where the water is wide/ 'Cause an
Brown's potential for crossover to mainstreameye for an eye/ Just leaves blood on the ground/
appeal and national prominence coming along inSomeday/ It will be the other way around?" And
quite some time. The most recent probably wasthere's the hypnotic tribute to blue-collar life in
Melanie, way back in the early '70's with "Brandsociety's trenches "Grass Upon the Hills."
New Key." And for that matter, Brown has aThe personnel is top-flight, with Brown (acoustic
great deal of consistency in the quality of herguitar and keys) backed by Bo Ramsey with
work and stands a strong chance to hit on thewhom she produced the album (guitars, backup
airwaves much more than she misses. Hervocals), Jon Penner (bass), J.T. Bates (drums),
capacity to profoundly impact popular music isSteve Hayes (drums), Brian Wilkie (pedal steel),
indeed considerable, and the exposure she gainedJoey Burns (cello, accordion), and Constie Brown
this year opening for Mark Knopfler on his North(backup vocals), with Alex Ramsey on keys for
American tour certainly didn't hurt."Faller." This is choice listening fare that anyone
[removed][removed] [removed]// <![CDATA[who loves good music will thoroughly enjoy. If
FB.init("8dcc011fc08309b2e5d9239dbef1adaf"); //you happen to be into rich, poetic ballads with folk
]]>roots, so much the better.
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