Album Notes

Elaine Townsend may have opened shows for the likes of Fleetwood Mac and k.d. Lang, but Redemption finds her in a more fitting element: namely, performing for an intimate venue for a small clutch of fans and admirers. Getting help from such luminaries as Danielle Howle and Hootie and the Blowfish drummer Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, the Columbia, SC based Townsend writes acoustic-based folk songs that cut a wide swath through the genre. Whether offering up hymn-like, sax-laced folk pop ("Midnight garden") or plunky Delta blues ("Longing to Belong"), Townsend strikes a perfect balance between soulful intensity and understated humor.
High points on Redemption include the beautiful, lounge-tinged "La Luna" (which features Howle on background Vocals), the gently waltzing "Flame of Devotion", and a syncopated, dead-on version of Talking Heads' "slippery people" that would put a smile on the face of David Byrne. Far from being a strident performer, Townsend instead shows the grace and confidence to let her songs speak for themselves.
-Performing Songwriter-


PRAISE FOR REDEMPTION:

Top Ten Release by a South Carolina Artist in 2000-
Free Times Entertainment Weekly

An excellent CD-
John Aielli, KUT, Austin,TX

Thoughtful songs...great recording...makes me wish
I had been there for the live show-
Carol Riewe, KZSC, Santa Cruz,CA

Fresh. Dynamic. Redemption will stay in my CD player for a while-
Marc Schultz, City Paper, Charleston,SC