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Americana Roots.com review

Carrie Newcomer - The Geography of Light

Written by Don Zelazny  

Thursday, 28 February 2008

You have to respect someone who follows their convictions to the degree Carrie Newcomer does.  You also need to respect someone who makes great music over an extended period of time as Carrie has. The Michigan born and Indiana based singer-songwriter has just released her 11th CD on Rounder Records, The Geography of Light. Her first solo recording came out way back in 1991 and ever since has fused her music with her values, priorities and beliefs like few other artists.  For Carrie, Rounder says "beauty is discovered in the midst of the ordinary. Life is experienced in the spaces between darkness and light. Truth is found in the bond between music and word." She dances on the fence between spiritual and secular yet the listener never feels they're being preached to.  Her music is comfortable at a church service or retreat (which has happened) or a backyard barbecue with friends. Carrie is well grounded and not “above” performing anywhere or with anyone, whether it be a performance in a concert hall, or, as she recently did, a performance for and discussion with at-risk teens in an Ohio courtroom with parents present as well as judge and parole officer.

Carrie is joined on this new recording by Gary Walters on piano, Chris Wagoner on violin, mandolin, dobro and ukulele, Mary Gaines on cello, Jeff Hedback on bass, Jim Brock on percussion, Keith Skooglund on guitar and Krista Detor on background vocals. The ear however is drawn most strongly to Carrie's guitar and richly expressive voice.  The disc starts off with “There is a Tree,” one of the tracks utilizing the cello to add some haunting mood to the tune.  The cello compliments Carrie's voice well. Both are a bit deeper and richer; the cello than the violin, and Carrie's voice compared to most female singers. I'd compare her to jazz singer Cassandra Wilson vocally. Her songs are lyrically strong, demonstrated in this tune by the line "I'm the fool whose life's been spent between what's said and what is meant."

Many of the tunes start off softly and pick up speed along the way.  “Geodes” in an interesting song and basically sums up Carrie's outlook on things. She says, “my home in Southern Indiana is...abundant in limestone and the mysterious rocks called geodes...I am fascinated by these unassuming brown and grey stones that contain inside them a sparkling center of quartz crystals.  They are surprisingly beautiful and a wonderful metaphor.  They remind me to look deeper because often within what may seem ordinary is a core of beauty and mystery."  Strings add subtly to most songs, although I would have preferred "Geodes" without the full sounding string section, which seemed to overpower the song. She flavors other songs with harmonica or organ, such as "Where You Been" which fits better the Americana tag.  She touches religion occasionally, sometimes with a touch of humor as in the tune “Where You Been,” singing:

"I saw Jesus talking shop, with Buddha at the Starbucks...

 and Mohammed was throwing popcorn to the pigeons and the sparrows

 and all us crazy holy hungry ones still believe in something better."

The CD ends on a high note with the very funny tune “Don't Push Send,” which anyone with a computer should listen to.

The day was tough, the week had really been somethin

Jane got a message that pushed her buttons

She shot back as if her words were guns

Capitalizing every single one

She should have waited, she should know

E-mail doesn't mix with merlot

She had to write back as you could guess

Plead e-mail recklessness and PMS

Don't push send, don't push send, there are things you just can't amend

I tell myself again and again, don't push send!

Carrie's songs should be a pre-requisite in any songwriting course. The Geography of Light showcases one of the top singer-songwriters around at the top of her game. Check her out! Her website is www.carrienewcomer.com.