Bible Belt

Diane Birch | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: S-Curve Records
• ASIN: B0024RI70M
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (181 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,825 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #75 in Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > Singer-Songwriters

Track Listings

1. Fire Escape

2. Valentino

3. Fools

4. Nothing But A Miracle

5. Rewind

6. Rise Up

7. Photograph

8. Don't Wait Up

9. Mirror Mirror

10. Ariel

11. Choo Choo

12. Forgiveness

13. Magic View

Editorial Reviews

2009 debut album from the singer/songwriter. Though only in her mid-20s, Birch likes to think of herself as an 'old soul', and, indeed, there is a startling maturity in her singing and a veteran's self-assurance in her writing. Birch mixes piano-playing virtuosity with easy-going Soul, and she can strike an uplifting groove on even the most melancholy tune. Her work bears hints of Laura Nyro (when she was hanging out with LaBelle) and early '70s Karen Carpenter, while effortlessly incorporating New Orleans second-line rhythms, Gospel fervor, Doo Wop harmonies, Country-Blues guitar and classic AM radio-style melodies. Among the players accompanying Birch on the album are guitarist Lenny Kaye of The Patti Smith Group, bassists Adam Blackstone from The Roots, and George Porter of The Meters, acclaimed drummers Stanton Moore of Galactic and Cindy Blackman of Lenny Kravitz fame, saxophonist-about-town Lenny Pickett, and trombonist Tom Bones Malone, along with veteran singer Eugene Pitt, lead vocalist of fabled Brooklyn vocal group, the Jive Five.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hallelujah! June 13, 2009

By EclecticMusicLover

Format:Audio CD

I listen to a lot of music, but, it is rare for me to find someone who is truly a rare bird.

Diane Birch is that fresh new voice whose debut album "Bible Belt" just came out this month.

Diane is in her mid-twenties, but she truly sounds like an old soul.

As I listened to her cd, so many of my favorite women singers came to mind: The Indigo Girls, The Dixie Chicks, Aretha Franklin, Joss Stone, KT Tunstall, Adele, Laura Nyro, Ricki Lee Jones, even Janis Joplin and Billie Holiday.

I truly questioned how someone could remind me of all these stellar women and yet be completely her own person, yet that is the paradox and the joy of Diane Birch.

Diane's music has an eclectic feel and seems to encompass all sides of her personality and musical loves. Her life has covered a lot of ground thus far as well. She was born in Michigan, but spent her childhood traveling between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia before her family settled in Oregon.

Her father was a preacher, and, in some ways, Diane rebelled against the constraints that this placed on her. And, yet, what's fascinating is that after all that rebellion, a lot of her early influences are part of her music now as she is inspired by church hymns and sings about angels, heaven and forgiveness.

Now, imagine taking blues, classic rock, du wop, and combining them with jazz and gospel and you'll have a hint of what Diane's music is about.

She's also a brilliant piano player.

The cd opens with one of my favorites, "Fire Escape". It's a soulful sultry song about love and loss.

Diane's music is the type that slowly saunters in wearing an unlikely hat. It beckons to you, seduces you, slowly charms you and soon you find yourself dancing in a familiar dream.

Her music speaks of heartbreak, of finding oneself, of life's experiences - but even through the tears, it soars. Her music does not drag, but instead finds wings, upbeat grooves to carry it. Another favorite, "Rise Up" is inspiring.

I have gotten so tired of people trying to be trendy, of musical fads that come and go, of formulaic overproduced pop. And, for me, Diane Birch is the antidote.

She writes all of her own songs and is a gifted musician in the true sense of the word. She is fresh and new, yet her music hearkens back to the 60's and 70's. In short, her music is timeless, which to me, is the very best thing to be.

I can't really give it enough stars, but, I can say, give it a listen.
I really think you'll love it.

Another favorite of mine is "Rewind", about how you wish you could just
go back and press start again, but, you know you can't.

"Valentino" has rhythms which, for me, are reminiscent of "Iko Iko",
a popular New Orleans folk tune, covered by the Dixie Cups.
Honestly, there is not a song on this cd I don't like.

"Bible Belt" was recorded in NYC and New Orleans with the same producers who collaborated on Joss Stone's first albums. Diane is working with the best and it shows.

Diane Birch's voice is heartfelt, full of soul, and completely fearless -
powerful, yet nuanced.

Her music is that of a true artist who needs to create to fulfill their
vision and their passion.

Sometimes you have to "sing the blues" - and sometimes the blues just have to sing, dance, and soar beyond the sky.

This is the magic of Diane Birch.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The NEW Norah Jones? June 2, 2009

By Cynthia

Format:Audio CD

Diane Birch is reminiscent of Norah Jones and Ella Fitzgerald in a way that works without trying too hard. Diane doesn't sound like a 'wanna-be', she sounds like a pro!

Fire Escape has a pace that is perfect for a thoughtful stroll in the park. It evokes memories in a rare way - with a sweet pain.

Don't Wait Up has a nice, bluesy feel. Good all-around balance to the song.

Magic View has the best commercial appeal with an easy-to-remember, yet musically interesting number that is hauntingly beautiful.

This is not all to say that there aren't issues with the album. Some of the songs really feel dated and don't hold the attention of the listener. Sometimes, she pushes her upper register a bit, not crossing the break well [between throat and head voices] and other times, she crosses the break without a problem and sounds almost bird-like.

Overall, it is a great album and if it gets enough air-play, it should do well.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Diane Birch is a GEM! July 8, 2009

By Dawn De Lorenzo

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This album brought me back to my childhood; born in 1974, I remember my mother playing the music of Carole King and Carly Simon. I agree wholeheartedley with other reviewers who compared Diane Birch to these two artists. Bible Belt is sultry and sweet. It makes you want to kick back with a cup of coffee, sitting out on your front porch...watching the world go by.

I highly recommend this artist and album for fans of these more contemporary artists: Corinne Bailey Rae, Dido, Sarah McLachlan, and Sheryl Crow.