Jamie Anderson
A Promise of Light
© 2005 Jamie Anderson (682260103129)
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Folk with a touch of bluegrass, jazz and comedy
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There's a lot of variety here from this singer-songwriter - from the thoughtful folk ballad Faith, about peace, to the bluegrass infused Hurricane. Her humor blazes through on Your Mama Scares Me and A Little Chocolate her serious storytelling is featured in Beautiful, about a friend who had stomach surgery. Produced by Kiya Heartwood (Wishing Chair) who also sings harmony vocals. She's joined by Kara Barnard on banjo, mandolin and guitar; Miriam Davidson (Wishing Chair) on keyboards and flute; Karen Jones on fiddle (Reel World String Band) and others.
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- author: Minor 7th Webzine
In his recent autobiography, Chronicles Part I, Bob Dylan recalls the heady days of the early '60s Greenwich Village folk scene wherein he shared the stage with array of authors, poets, artists and assorted characters. In order to survive in front of a hipster audience a singer had to be part prophet-comedian-philosopher-interpreter-historian-sex symbol-hustler- Tin-Pan Alley/Brill Building tunesmith and then some. Singer-songwriter and alleged chocolate-loving parking lot attendant (that's according to her press-kit, the truth is shrouded in mystery -- as it should be) Jamie Anderson, not Joan Baez, would have been a star (and possibly Dylan's lover) back then as "A Promise of Light" plays like a timeless book of intriguing short stories. You have to love an artist who has the moxie (in modern times that is) to bookend a hysterical cold-footed hillbilly bride ranting "Your Mama Scares Me" with the deeply spiritual "Ann Lee," a fictional tale recounting the Shaker religion founder who beckons the narrator from beyond the grave. Anderson's arrangements are steeped in the traditional folk idiom with light percussion, keyboards, and bass providing a simple yet sturdy foundation for the lyrics and melodies. Anderson, along with co- guitarist Kara Barnard, who doubles on banjo and mandolin, are expressive players, incorporating simple blues, bluegrass, and rock licks with intricate finger patterns which afford the songs an intense immediacy and depth of character (check out Bernard's pull-ons and string plucking ala Mark Knopfler in "Your Night Just Got More Interesting" and the wicked girls-gone-wild instrumental "Emily" with Real World String Band fiddle whiz Karen Jones). Anderson's angelic vocal style assumes a myriad of personas: the smoky lounge singer ("Gone"), the broken-hearted girl next door ("A Little Chocolate"), the troubled caretaker ("Beautiful"), the dreamy optimist ("Faith"), the cynic ("Grace"), and the eternal wise-ass ("Felon"). In light of current world events, "Polly Vaughn," a traditional folk tune from the British Isles, rings contemporary especially when Anderson icily dictates "come all you young gentlemen who carry a gun... how do you come home by the light of the sun?" "A Promise of Light" pulls all the right strings at all the right times.
Wow! Funny and poignant.
author: Carolyn SchwulstGreat instrumentals, great combination of blue grass and folk. Jamie writes and sings humor as beautifully as she writes and sings touching and painful. The selection of songs for this album is a wonderful mix of all emotions. I love it!
- author: Mary Ann Novak
Absolutely one of Jamie's best CD's. Touching, funny, thought-provoking - each song feels heartfelt and real and each song tells a story. Jamie has a lovely voice and is an incredible songwriter. You won't be disappointed in this album!
amazing and touching...
author: Cassendre Xavier, singer-songwriteri love Jamie Anderson's music. it's always tender and sensitive and funny, funny, funny! this is the most polished project to date. i'm enjoying it now, but i also can't wait to hear the next one!
Great CD from a great songwriter.
author: MJ AdamsThis is an excellent CD from a master folk singer and songwriter. The songs are funny and poignant. Although I've only heard bits and pieces from Jamie's previous CDs, I'm very impressed with this album, and tend to think it's one of her best. There are bluegrass-tinged tunes and heartfelt ballads. And the chocolate song makes me feel justified in my favorite indulgence.