Customer Reviews

Claire Holley

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

 

 

Tsk, tsk, tsk... re: the reviewer who complained about a lack of "hooks" within this music. A musical hook is the equivalant of ketchup. Fun to use now and then, but you don't want to add it to everything. And when your musical palate matures, you grow past the need for hooks in every song. This is a solid, immensely enjoyable effort by a very talented artist who deserves to be reaping some success at the moment. If only other gifted artists who also don't produce hook-laden music could be so fortunate.

This CD features literate songwriting, movingly beautiful vocals, expert instrument playing and a pleasing variety of styles and arrangements. One of Claire Holley's strengths as a lyric writer is her use of concrete imagery to establish mood and create a palpable sense of place. The music reinforces and amplifies the lyrics to provide glimpses into small worlds that are at once both familiar and fresh. This is an excellent album from a talented singer, songwriter and player.

I wasn't looking for Claire Holley's CD; it just kinda found me. And I keep listening to Ms. Holley as she tells her stories with a wonderful combination of strength and softness in her voice. Clever phrasing, thoughtful lyrics, and excellent instrumental accompaniment by Ms. Holley herself and a small group of backup musicians. Great music to listen to in front of the fire or even while working at your desk (where I am right now). Last time I reacted this way to an artist, I was back in graduate school in North Carolina, listening to a relatively unpolished local group, James Taylor and the Flying Machine---James and I both had much more hair then. Of course, the whole music world now knows and loves James Taylor. And while no one can predict a similar level of success for Claire Holley, her music does have that potential. I really enjoy Ms. Holley's music, and I think you will, too.

While I agree Claire Holley doesn't bash you over the head with radio-ready hooks, that doesn't make these musical portraits any less memorable.

In the manner of Ron Sexsmith or Tom Waits -- who couldn't be any more stylistically different -- she uses her music to tell stories, little slices of lives played out for us. What I remember about this CD is as much about what I see -- the scrubbed golf balls, the statue of the "famous man" in the garden -- as what I hear.

And what I hear here is just fine. I'm glad I was introduced to Claire Holley. Now if only I could get my hands on a copy of "Sanctuary..."

Got this CD through AMAZON a year ago as Christmas present to myself. Great gift it was. Claire Holley is a gifted and talented singer/songwriter and with this tight little group of musicians backing her, it is a dream CD. Give a present to yourself...Claire Holley.

There are many singer songwriters on the contemporary folk scene in America, but while Claire has never (at least so far) achieved the recognition that some others have done, this may be because of the purity and simplicity of her music - no frills, no catchy hooks to appeal to the masses. I understand that her 2003 album, Dandelion, is more commercial (but still excellent) and may give Claire the higher profile that she deserves.

On this album, Claire plays guitar and keyboard accompanied by a small but select band of talented musicians, while she sings her songs (all self-penned without co-writers) about various aspects of life, which are sometimes set in specific locations such as The lamppost, In my garden and Heyward avenue, or more general locations like Abilene and Pennsylvania town. Other songs are about people Oh my (about her mama), Sea boy and Billy and me. Mississippi is an instrumental track while I confess that I'm not really sure what Looking for signs is really about.

This is an excellent album if you like simple music with interesting lyrics beautifully sung.

This is a classic case of a person with a lot of raw talent for singing and playing but with no talent for songwriting...yet. Although well produced and engineered, there is not one memorable song on this CD. The lady doesn't know how to write "hooks" for songs; and until she learns, her efforts are going to go in one ear, slide straight through the brain, and go out the other ear -- without sticking anywhere.