Customer Reviews

Sweetwater

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though they've been singing together for five years, this trio of alt.country/rock vocalists (Caitlin Cary of Whiskeytown, Lynn Blakey of Let's Active and Glory Fountain, and Tonya Lamm of Hazeldine) has only recently found their way to a commercial release - and its completeness is stunning. The ease with which their voices fit together brings to mind the sort of harmony found by CS&N, with leads slipping seamlessly from one vocalist to another. Imagine what Kelly Willis would sound like if she had two equally strong singers with whom to trade verses and backings, or if the Dixie Chicks' image wasn't so glammed up and their vocals not so fully dominated by Natalie Maines.

Better yet, all tres of the Chicas write, apart and together, providing a disc full of songs that match up to their finely selected covers of Lucinda Williams' "Am I Too Blue," Loretta Lynn's "Deep as Your Pocket," and George Jones' "Take the Devil Out of Me." Particularly fetching originals include Blakey's country rock title tune, Cary's waltz-time "Desire," and the group-written "When Was the Last Time." Chris Stamey's production is typically uncluttered and elegant, putting the focus on the voices, with dabs of instrumental talent from the group and selected guests. Tres Chicas' debut not only captures their musical harmony, but their deep personal friendships. Such kinship (rather than just group membership) is rare to begin with, but connecting it to a studio recording - and on a debut! - is a feat accomplished by just a lucky and talented few.

Tres Chicas is a the alternative-country answer to the Thorns, an all-female "supergroup" consisting of Caitlin Cary, Tonya Lamm & Lynn Blakey of Whiskeytown, Hazeldine and Glory Foundation respectively. Those groups bubbled under the radar with their critically respected, no commercial sales music. Sweetwater will probably follow the same sales fate, but it will garner the same critical praise. The songs have a down home feel to them, with soft harmonies and acoustic touches like a mandolin and stand up bass. The trio does amp it up in spots like on the title track, "Heartbeat" and especially on a cover of Loretta Lynn's "Deep As Your Pocket" which features a spirited vocal interplay and fuzz-toned guitar riff. Sweetwater is a smooth and breezy listen and worth checking out.

If you like great female singer/songwriters, and you like it a little bit counry, a little bit pop, and a little bit folk, then get this Cd as quick as you can. It is one of my favorite Cd's of the summer.

The early great reviews of Tres Chicas talents and expressions are right on, fully demonstrated in Sweetwater. In the genre, move this gem to the top of your playlist and plan a place for it among your classics. Their songs meld the past with the present, the heart with the soul. The world is richer for their joining voices.

This record was lauded as a milestone achievement in the modern alt.country genre by the other reviewers here upon its' release in 2004. Sadly, one reviewer's observation that came true was that this album would slip under the radar; overshadowed by the more commercial Dixie Chicks, among others. Now nearly 4 years after it's release, I stumbled upon this record after seeing it in No Depression magazine's list of the 50 Finest Alt.Country Albums of 2004. When looking for some light summer reading this year, I thumbed through some back issues of No Depression that had been piling up on my desk, and I found the Jan-Feb 2005 issue that contains the aforementioned "list" and clocking in at #45 out of the 50 records, is "Sweetwater" by Tres Chicas. I've personally been very skeptical of end of the year `best of' lists made by anybody (myself included) because I don't think that enough time has elapsed for people to just sit down with a record and let the sound grow on them. Granted we need to acknowledge great sounding albums that define our life's soundtrack, but much of this end of the year handicapping is like holiday shopping; stressed out and rushed. Well, after 3 years, I'm fairly sure that enough time has elapsed, and what everybody else said here still rings true. "Sweetwater" is a "gorgeous" sounding album and if you don't have this album, by all means, go out and buy it.

"Sweetwater", stylistically echoes the great 1987 album "Trio" by the stellar country ladies harmony "super"-group of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, because it is a record that captures the sound of a group of friends who stumbled upon the fact that when they sang together, they made beautiful music. Caitlin, Tonya and Lynn sing in near perfect harmony on originals and on some well chosen covers, especially Lucinda Williams' "Am I Too Blue". Chris Stamey adds a nice rock sensibility to the production, so that a smooth blend of back woods traditional country and straight ahead rock is achieved. Lyrically, the original songs by Cary, Lamm and Blakey are sharp observations on love lost and found. The standout original song is Lynn Blakey's "Heartbeat" which is the most rocking tune and which sounds very much influenced by Richard and Linda Thompson. Again, if you had read all of this three years ago, then you've got the record. For those of us who are just discovering the Chicas, their debut, "Sweetwater" is the genuine ticket. It's a pleasure to listen to and highly recommended!

I found Tres Chicas by chance. I was up late listening to Whiskeytown's version of "A Song for You" on the excellent Gram Parson's tribute CD "Return of the Grievous Angel", and I thought I would check out some Whiskeytown CD's. I learned that Whiskeytown tanked (I ordered 1 of their CD's anyway) and started looking to see what happened to the group members. I felt Caitlin Cary was the best part of Whiskeytown, and I was mildly stunned to find that she grew up in Seville, OH, only a few miles from where I was raised. We're talking SMALL towns! Back to the review: this is a fine CD, I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because just 7/10 songs are keepers. For you MP3 downloaders, my list is: Sweetwater, Heartbeat, Foot of the Bed, Deep as Your Pocket, Am I Too Blue, When You Sleep, and When Was the Last. Tres Chicas is a fine group, the harmonies they spin on some of the songs are ethereal. They have a second CD out, and let's hope they keep recording together, as they are excellent musicians.

I heard about Tres Chicas on accident and went to hear them live and was amazed! I immediately bought the CD. It was almost a disappointment b/c they're so great live. A little bit country and a little bit rock 'n' roll! I can't stop listening to the CD and if you have a chance, see them in concert. You won't waste your money!

The best "want to fall in love and then break up" CD EVER!