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Singer-songwriter-pianist Nancy Newlis has a soft-pop brushing
like Travis and a folksy throttle relatable to Josh Kelly
on her latest CD, Dreamers 2009. Produced by Newlis and guitarist-bassist
Jeff Berner, Dreamers 2009 is an easy listening album
with melodies stacked in folk-pop esthetics and theatrical piano swags
that buttress Newlis' vocals in lacy frills.
The dulcet trimmings and traipsing riffs of "Dreamers"
and "Dear Friend" show Newlis' penchant for rhythmic patterns
with a casual grazing. Her vocals have a sluggish stroking as her
notes rise and twine around the melody. There is a calmness in these
songs that penetrates the listener, and infuses the senses with
good vibrations. The undulating wavelets of "Social Standing"
are inlaid with ornate piano swags which transform into dotting
slashes across "Mistakes." The smoky acoustic billows
of "What Is It" are tapered by dissonant-cut riffs, and
the keyboard crimps along "Good Morning Heartache" are
arched by dramatic vocal lines that inject the tune with emotion.
In addition to Newlis and Berner, the recording has a crew that adds
fodder to Newlis' campfires including viola player Daniel Platsman,
drummer-tambourinist Sarah Singh, guitarist Shane Barnes,
and bassist Michael Feinberg. Dreamers 2009 has a folksy
lining that is slim on dynamics but heavy on dramatic vocals and poignant
punctuations. Her vocals have gusto - able to blow the door right
off its hinges and still make the listener feel warm and cuddly.
-Susan Frances
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