Customer Reviews

Bird Song

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anyone who has heard Heather Masse sing with The Wailin' Jennys knows that she has a gorgeous voice with an amazing range. And anyone who has heard her numerous appearances on A Prairie Home Companion - eight in just the last eleven months - knows how incredibly versatile her voice is. During those guest appearances she's sung music by everyone from George Gershwin to Bob Dylan, from Johnny Mercer to Iris Dement, and from Hank Williams to Franz Schubert, and she's done it stunningly. She even makes Garrison Keillor sound great in duets.

"Bird Song" highlights both Masse's gorgeous voice and its tremendous versatility. But it also shows that she's a talented songwriter. She wrote the words and music for all thirteen songs on the album with the exception of the lyrics of one song, which she co-wrote with Nicky Mehta, a fellow member of The Wailin' Jennys. While "Bird Song" is primarily jazz-influenced pop, it shows off Masse's songwriting versatility as well. It ranges from the haunting jazz-folk ballad "Chosen," to the inspirational, gospel-tinged "Over the Mountain," to the sassy and rollicking country boogie "High Heeled Woman." It slips from the sultry jazz-blues of a steaming-hot "Bathtub" into the playfully seductive pop "Mittens."

Singing harmony on seven of the songs is Aoife O'Donovan, lead singer of Crooked Still and member of the folk-noir trio Sometymes Why. O'Donovan's gentle, breathy soprano perfectly complements Masse's round, rich alto. Completing the package is outstanding instrumental accompaniment. Especially notable are East Coast guitarist Lyle Brewer and West Coast keyboard player Jed Wilson, both of whom, like Masse and O'Donovan, are alumni of the New England Conservatory. During instrumental interludes Brewer's guitar is a total joy to listen to, but during the vocals it never overpowers the real focus of this album: Masse's extraordinary voice.

So check out one of the most talented young vocalists around. Dance with a High Heeled Woman and enjoy a steaming-hot Bathtub - but put on Mittens, because Bird Song will knock your socks off.

I love this CD already (and I've only had it a couple days). I first heard Heather Masse when randomly listening to Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion. She sang Mittens, which I was delighted to find included on the CD. I was so enamored with her enchanting voice that I went home and immediately began looking to see if she had a CD. I ended up buying 2 Wailin' Jennys CD's when I discovered she was part of this trio. Amazon thoughtfully took note of my purchase and recommended this one to me when it was due to release.

The musical styles featured on the CD range from Jazzy to Rockabilly. I can just hear Lyle Lovett doing High Heeled Woman! The first two tracks on the CD feel like lilting lullabies.

Mittens impressed me every bit as much as it did when I heard it the first time, that Sunday afternoon on the radio.

Another reviewer said it well, she doesn't overly adorn. Her phrasing is pleasant, clear, and smooth. At times she is reminiscent of Rickie Lee Jones (in Hollywood), at others she sounds a little like Jennifer Warnes (who I haven't listened to in years).

This is a good buy.

If you like Nora or Emmy Lou, you've got to listen to Heather Masse. It's a purity and natural approach to singing that they have in common. She doesn't use easy tricks to decorate a song. She sings the song for what it's about.

A couple of these are love songs of a kind you don't really hear. They're original, un-ironic and pure, just like her voice.

The more you listen to this album, the more you want to listen.

Heather Masse is the newest member of the Wailin' Jennys, and Bird Song, Masse's 1st solo album, is a notable release. This album's essence may originate with The Jennys' contemporary folk feel, but it lingers more consistently in light jazz/rock territory. Her alto voice is smooth, sultry and earthy - the production lush and relaxing. Masse is a talented singer and musician (she plays upright bass), but her greatest strength may be her effortless and elegant songwriting. See my reviews for Wailin' Jennys too.

GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Jazz Vocal.

BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Wailin' Jennys, Shawn Colvin, Alison Krauss.

MUST HEAR TRACKS: "I Don't Want To Wake Up Today," "Hollywood," "Morning's Breaking the Rules," "Mittens."

I have never even heard of Heather Masse or The Wailin' Jennys for that matter. I was searching through the new releases and gave her a listen. I immediately downloaded this new CD and am listening to it as I type this review. This girl is amazing! I'm a big Eva Cassidy fan and Heather certainly has that pure voice like Eva. This is certainly a diverse selection of music, something for everyone. I am definitely a new fan of this very talented young woman. Kudos, Heather!

Having just heard another Wailin' Jennys concert at the Birchmere in Virginia, I was compelled find some of Heather's solo work. A voice of such clarity and purity comes along rarely. Remarkable range and versatility of voice and song. Whatever you do, don't miss this one!

Little known fact: You can hear more of Heather singing harmony on April 2010 CD release by Oh Liza Jane, called "Nice Time".

I enjoyed everyone of Heather's songs and the instrumentation was very well done!
Will follow this artist and buy more cds.

I first heard the Wailin Jenneys this past Oct in Columbus Ohio, so consequently it was also the first time I heard Heather Masse, bassist and vocalist in their trio.

I was really taken with her vocal ability and songwriting so I was thrilled to find that she had her own , fairly recent solo project. And for me, what a treat it is indeed. Each song is packed with just the right amount of emotion, or playfulness, or musical poetry. Its one of those rare CD's for me, that I play from start to finish, without ever the need to jump to the "best" tracks.

For me, "Arlington" just buy itself is worth the price of the CD, it gets me teary eyed every time.........on the other end of the spectrum, the Bathtub song may well be the most playfully sensual song i've heard in years, all great stuff from start to finish.

Read the other positive reviews for more meat, but let me add another five stars. Her website suggests that you will like Heather Masse if you like Norah Jones and Alison Krauss. I agree. Listen to the samples and you will be hooked.

Heather Masse has a gorgeous deep register and does wonderful work with the Wailin Jennys. If you are considering this CD, listen carefully to the samples here to make sure it's music you will enjoy. I like the CD, but I don't listen to it as often as I thought I would.