If ever there were a match made in heaven, this is it. If the beautifully woven sounds of piano, viola and guitars of Charmed don’t grab you then the vocals will. This literal dynamic duo comprised of Bambi Jackson (vocals, keyboards & guitar) and Alicia Ultan (vocals, guitar & viola) perform their songs with such passion, and with a wink mind you, they’re sure to melt even the hardest of hearts. Sounding a little like Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries, Alicia will vocally and lyrically hypnotize you on Fate and Drive All Night while Bambi channels Sarah McLachlan on Repsite and MIK bringing a quiet intensity to some beautiful and powerful lyrics. Did I mention they both write their own songs? Yup. And one when is not signing lead the other performs back up blending graciously but not overpowering the other. Toss a little playfulness into the mix such as the whimsical The Romanian Spider from Hell and you have a couple of accomplished musicians and accomplished writers who not only think, but write and play out of the box. This writer was absolutely mesmerized after seeing Charmed perform live. If you been afraid to step into the musical foray of folk, I say don’t be shy, get Charmed.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
"You gotta listen when the angels talk to you," sings Alicia Ultan in Charmed's "Drive All Night." Indeed, guitarist/pianist Bambi Jackson's deep-sunk, darkened strength and the lush faerie poignance of Ms. Ultan, on viola and guitar, form an unlikely and fully fledged  band of angels. Their union on this CD draws each songwriter's particular graces into heightened balance.  Alicia's plaintive, insistently unusual melodies can meander, lifting and dipping like Stephen Foster's best, over the foundation of Bambi's strong keyboard work;  Bambi Jackson's moody, penetrating ballads are carried upward and outward by Alicia Ultan's richly unguarded viola.  Their vocal blends are confident and well-occasioned, since each song is the work of a single songwriter whose private idea sets the tone for the collaboration.   Imagine a Native American earth spirit meeting a Central European fire-elf: that's Charmed.  Their sound can vary, from somewhere west of Neil Young to fin-de-siecle Vienna.  Get this CD.  Whoever you are, there's a song here you'll never forget.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
I normally hate folk music.  I need distortion and feedback and dissonance!  Having said that, I found this album very compelling.  With it's lush textures, haunting melodies and interesting use of eclectic chord structure, I found it to be solid and consistent.  The musicianship is first rate and the production is absolutely professional.  There wasn't a bad song to be found here.  I heartily recommend this album.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
I'm hooked on this album ... I play it every day. The 
more I play it the more I want to play it ... it's truly 
addictive.... Am always sorry when it's over!  The instrumentals are especially effective. Would love to see this album get more exposure. It certainly deserves to.
                            Read more...