DAILY FREEMAN
Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871
Entertainment
SOUND ADVICE: Cheek's 'Water Over The Bridge' sparkling
Published: Friday, July 02, 2010
By DAVID MALACHOWSKI
Reviewer
ARTIST: Anna Cheek
ALBUM: “Water Over the Bridge”
Local treasure Anna Cheek has been battling illness for sometime, and we’re lucky she’s on the mend just as this sparkling new CD, “Water Over The Bridge” is released.
Produced by Robert Frazza in Woodstock, Cheek has written all the songs here, with an ethereal bent and an eye for detail.
A long list of local luminaries join her, along with producer Frazza, renowned guitarists Mike DeMicco and Jim Weider, drum master Jerry Marotta, keyboard wizard Ross Rice, pedal steel giant Kevin Maul and sublime cellist Jane Scarpantoni all join the fray.
Born in New Orleans, Cheek has lived in Niagara Falls, Montreal, and now makes her home in nearby Palenville.
After a delicate intro in “Ever So Gently,” a full band crashes in full force. Here Cheek’s voice is innocent and sweet, bolstered by a fast vibrato, and isn’t swallowed by the wall of sound, but instead, stands proudly on top of the lush, layered pop fare waving a flag.
In the haunting “Fountainhead,” she sings about being insecure, but doesn’t sound it. “Midnight Blue Sky” is dramatic and majestic, though still finds a funky groove, and the exquisite “Pretender” surely channels Tori Amos, while Cheek closes with the stately strings of “In Another Minute.”
Well thought out, “Water Over The Bridge” is a quiet masterpiece from an artist who obviously lives to play.
Visit www.annacheek.com; www.myspace.com/annacheekband; www.facebook.com/annacheekmusic
HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING about ANNA and "WATER OVER the BRIDGE":
“Absolutely LOVE your new CD--to my mind a mix of Maryanne Faithful meets Laurie Anderson, backed up by the best lineup of awesome talent in the area. Gave me goosebumps!!! You are one songwriting diva!...” Victoria Nelson , Proprietress, The Woodbine Inn & Arts Center, Palenville, NY http://www.thewoodbine.com
“Anna, I am listening to Water Over the Bridge for the second time this morning - LOVE it! Thank you so much for your gift to my zen morning!!!...I am grateful in my life for having Anna Cheek's music to share with all those I love!!! :) Thanks for the musical LOVE, Anna!!!” Kimberly Hall, AZ
“Anna, I ran this morning with your new CD. Very,Very enjoyable. Took my mind off the running very nicely. Just one question. How did you keep up with me wearing flip flops?” GCM, Miami, FL
“Last night's rehearsal sounded heavenly.Thanks for the preview. Appreciated meeting your musicians.YOU sound just like the album-excellent.” Dan Pagdon, Musician, Photographer and Painter Extraordinaire , Catskill, NY
“I'm listening to your cd again this morning as I begin my day. Thanks for the music!” James Dykeman, Musician, Saugerties, NY
“Anna! Manuel left his copy of your new CD in my car when we drove to NYC a few days ago. It's been in my CD player ever since! Congrats! It's great!” Erin Hobson, Musician, The Erin Hobson Compact
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