Album Notes

Chrissy Gardner possesses the independent music scene triple threat – singer/songwriter/instrumentalist. This Chi-town native’s debut album Alabaster Room showcases her immense talent in each of these distinguished qualities. Gardner’s lyrics and arrangements are intelligent and she surrounds herself with distinguished musicians that add texture to her well-produced debut. The most colorful guest artist on Alabaster Room is pianist Professor John who adds his whimsical playing to the title track. Gardner’s voice is breathy as she croons the quirky jazz-like melody like a tipsy Norah Jones as Professor John duets with the dirty muted growling trombone and then adds his own flair on mouth trumpet. The next song the two join forces on is “Whiskey Wednesday” that has Professor John dancing up and down the keys and Gardner exhibiting a much stronger vocal projection as she pushes her chest voice to a cute hiccup then purrs into the ending vocal flourish in the coda. “Church Stones” features a cello that adds long pedal tones under Gardner’s playing and singing. The bass instrument helps build the crescendo into the bridge where Gardner sustains a dramatic long clear vocal line. Gardner has a lovely voice and exquisite tonality no matter what style she is singing. She can delicately accompany herself on piano in “Mother Come Quickly” and confidently sing over a grooving backbeat in “Come Closer.” All ten original songs on Alabaster Room are a pleasure to listen to and hopefully the future has much in store for the talented Chrissy Gardner. --- Kelly O’Neill, ReviewYou.com