CD REVIEW: Board Brings A Band On Board For 'Drive'
Salt Lake Tribune, 12/16/01
STACEY BOARD, "Drive" (Independent) -- On her earlier acoustic works, one got the impression that if folk-pop artist Stacey Board ever had a band to use as an instrument, the result would be impressive.
Now she has, and it is.
"Drive," Board's first album featuring a full band, continues to highlight her strong, controlled voice and powerful guitar playing. Happily, the band, which features C.J. Burton, drums, Peter Jensen, bass, and Tucker Rountree, guitars, flatters and doesn't overpower Board. For example, on "Joey," the addition of trumpeter Lisa Verzella and sax player Eric Gindlesperger is perfectly blended to enhance Board's vocal performance.
Board also enlists the services of her friends, many of whom are part of a Salt Lake City acoustic family -- Gina French, Melissa Warner, Glade, Carolyn Toronto, David Prill, Wendy Ohlwiler and Desmond Moser.
With each album, including "Simple Thing" and the excellent "Not Love Art," Board shows a growing maturity as a songwriter. "Drive" continues that growth. The exciting aspect of "Drive" is how well Board has incorporated her spare solo sound with that of a band.
-- Martin Renzhofer
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