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Eliane Amherd: Now And From Now On
ByFor the most part, Amherd creates a light Latin and Brazilian influenced jazz sound, with some deftly performed pop beats for added aural sunshine. "Let Me Explain" is a perfect summer song, with Amherd's multi-tracked vocals and lightly played guitar mixing with Bill Ware's sparkling vibes. "Now And From Now On" is another slice of upbeat and up-tempo fun, enlivened by Gustavo Amarente's rich and chunky bass line, while "Batucada" is a dance remix of the tune."As If" melds Brazilian rhythm and a rockier guitar sound with a cheekily sexy vocal to once again lift the spirits.
Things get a little too light on a couple of tracks. "Don't Give Up On Me" is a slinky but rather too-smooth blues, "Steady And Slow" is just too laidback and lackluster. These are not bad songs, just nothing out of the ordinary.
It's when Amherd takes a few more risks that she really finds her voice. After the light, Caribbean vibe of the lovely "Me Fe Tan Pliji" and "Feel A Little Sorry For Yourself," the darker, slinkier "Where Is Home" comes as a bit of a surprise. Amherd's guitar has a raw earthiness to its soundstrikingly counterbalanced by Ware's soft and gentle vibesand her voice is edgy and powerful. On Tom Waits' "Temptation," Amherd combines breathy and seductive vocals with more of her gutsier, Ribot-inspired, guitar playing. Ware responds by hardening the sound of his vibes and the percussion has real bite.
Amherd is a stylish and expressive singer and a guitarist of real quality. Her songwriting is a little inconsistent, but she is capable of creating some intriguing songs. She also produced Now And From Now On. A highly recommended album, from a highly recommended artist.
Track Listing
Now And From Now On; As If; Me Fe Tan Pliji; Don't Give Up On Me; Feel A Little Sorry For Yourself; Where Is Home; Let Me Explain; Temptation; Trust You; Steady And Slow; Batucada.
Personnel
Eliane Amherd
guitar and vocalsEliane Amherd: vocals, guitar; Bill Ware: vibes; Gustavo Amarante: bass; Willard Dyson: drums; Ze Mauricio: percussion.
Album information
Title: Now And From Now On | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
About Eliane Amherd
Instrument: Guitar and vocals
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