Customer Reviews

Sing

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

 

 

"Sing:" It could take you anywhere...

I remember the rapture I felt in the late sixties with my first good listen of Laura Nyro's "Eli and the Thirteenth Confession," Joni Mitchell's self-titled debut and Roberta Flack's "First Take." In the last dozen or so years I have found fresh stimulation from a new and newer generation of female songmasters - artists such as Tori Amos, Julia Fordham, Eddi Reader (first of Fairground Attraction - then solo), Beth Orton, Liz Phair and Natalie Imbruglia. This brings me to Abra Moore. It's Abra's compositions "Happiness," & "Your Faithful Friend," from her 1997 release "Strangest Places," that seem most closely rooted in her first release, "Sing." This point motivated me to review her 1995 debut. When an Artist can transport my imagination from my little world to their expanse and leave me daydreaming, I believe I've found something extraordinary worth returning to on many more occasions. Abra Moore has a softer style than some of her contemporaries - a nice change to the too-hard edge sometimes thought to be a prerequisite in music for this stressed era. Believe me - we can all benefit with a disruption from too much grizzle. Abra's lyrics are visceral and visual and offer a transcending style. An example is her tune "Touch and Go," that begins - 'Your traveling through my head again...I pull you out every once in a while...' The melody is delivered in a way that easily gets into mine. Her serene voice has such a sweet texture, a quality reminiscent and as unique as Nanci Griffith's. Abra has taken on songs from other writers as well and made them her own. Examples such as Andrea Perry's "I Look Around," and Frank Orrall's "Step Without Looking," blend right into Abra's quintessence. Among her own works that stand out for me include "Some Kind of Change," a lovely piece that moves like a slow dance beneath a Weeping Willow tree. "Somebody That Cares," portrays a musing that pulls between a former relationship and a wiser alternative. From the tune "Dream Time," Phrases like 'A thousand clouds pass through my eyes making sunlight disappear...' take you on an ethereal waltz. "Prayer for an Angel" touches on the constraints of overbearingness. The production quality of this effort is shiningly effective and yet not grandiose. Abra's effort is contemplative. It shows me that longing and yearning carry separate meanings and both push my heart to reach beyond where it's gone before - need I say Moore?

I have nothing but praise for Abra Moore and her debut album 'Sing',this is the kind of album that deserves to be heard a hell of alot more than it has been. 'Sing' is everything I hoped for and more with rich melodies and Abra's enchanting vocals + superb songs throughout esp. 'Touch and Go', 'Some Kind of Change' and the moving 'Somebody Who Cares'. Respect due.

Very smooth. Compared to most albums, Moores music contains multiple good tunes on one cd. The music just flows with great sound. I always felt, if the song takes control over you, Its good, If your mind wonders, it s**ks.

What can I say?

Go for it.

Yes, it's melancholy. One reviewer said it's not as happy as Strangest Places - that's true. But don't you get tired of being happy all the time?

Her voice still sounds young - at certain moments, I'm reminded of Tara MacLean - but there's an old soul in there.

Some of the songs are really catchy. I return to this album every few months and I'll have "Sweet Chariot", "Throw A Penny", or "Ku'u Ome O Kahaluu" (don't worry - the whole song's not in a foreign language) stuck in my head for days afterwards.

But it's deeper than that.

If you buy it, *listen* to the words.

"She throws her words in the air... she don't care... she's got her angels from below... they'll keep her time ever true" - Sweet Chariot

"Every state I've ever been in has greeted me with a bad beginning" - Touch and Go

OK - so not all the lyrics are as inventive as these. But with the music industry the way it is today, anyone who looks good and has a three-note range can survive. Not that that's what Abra has - far from it - but she's better than a lot of people out there.

And yes, it does have a bit of a country flavor, especially in the first song. But it's barely noticeable... and it works well.

And at her best, what Iguassu Falls is to natural wonders--mysteriously ever fresh. While nominated for a 1997 Grammy for her classic FOUR LEAF CLOVER, it's too bad she is not more widely known.

From "Sweet Chariot's" rhythmic ride
To "Dream Time's" angel glide

Her voice with power both soft and strong
Child-woman with the gift of heaven's song

Radiant words and sounds with the power to transform
Like the "heavenly hurting" crying of "Keeps My Body Warm"

Saying it "right and light" she is "too much"
Revealing magic everywhere with her heart's tender touch

Tears of joy and sorrow her music does bring
Heart petals open when you hear her "Sing"

We're lucky to have this "Four Leaf Clover" girl
Growing in the soil of our "overloaded" world

I was somewhat dissapointed by this CD. I have Strangest Places, and I think that this CD doesn't even come close in terms of energy. What drew me to Strangest Places was the guitars and the more pop-rock that many of the songs have. This CD, while it's good, is just not something that is easy to get in to. The songs are so melancholy and slow that they can almost depress you. There's none of the rock element in it, and it's just on overall quieter release. If you want something by Abra Moore, get Strangest Places.