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Carrie Wicks: Barely There
ByWhere her debut featured familiar songs like "I'm Old Fashioned" and a couple of Lorenz and Hart numbers, the title tune was her lone songwriting offering. For her sophomore outing, Barely There, the Washington State-based vocalist has assembled the same top level backing band and drawn again, an interesting array of non-original material. But instead of one Nottingham/Wicks tune, there are eight.
The first five tunes are originals. "Small But Elegant Place" opens the disc, and sets the mood: a classic, small ensemble sound with a very memorable melody and clever lyrics delivered confidently. "Dandelion Gone" has the smooth flow of a bossa nova, and features saxophonist Hans Teuber's cool blowing, while the title tune rolls with a bluesy, after hours feel.
Wicks' take on Townes Van Zandt's 1978 song, "No Place to Fall," showcases her ability to project poignancy and vulnerability, and the familiar Raskin/Mercer offering, "Laura," has Wicks alternating her delivery between horn-like and hushed.
Wicks is a skilled vocalist, top-notch in her phrasing and intonation, but she also possesses an ineffable "something extra" that's both compelling and engaging in its delivery of the stories she has to tell. Maybe it's that she's feeling every word she sings in her heart, projecting a certain joy with every scat syllable, on this, her second outstanding recording.
Track Listing
Small But Elegant Place; Dandelion Gone; Ruse of Roussillon; Winter Skin; Barely There; No Place to Fall; Orchids; Veinte Anos; Laura; No Pollyanna; Through; You Belong to Me; A Kiss to Build a Dream On.
Personnel
Carrie Wicks
vocalsCarrie Wicks: vocals; Bill Anschell: piano; Jeff Johnson: bass; Byron Vannoy: drums; Hans Teuber: tenor saxophone, clarinet; David Lange: accordion (6).
Album information
Title: Barely There | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: OA2 Records