Carrie Newcomer
Before & After (Rounder)
By Molly Lynch
Published: March 14th, 2010 | 7:00am
"A local, favorite folk singer with a national following." With a history rich in folk music that spans over 30 years, the tagline on Carrie Newcomer's website couldn't be more accurate, even today.
On the first listen, Newcomer's latest gem, Before & After, could be described like a lot of female folk albums — warm, rich, personal, and a wee bit rustic. It sings the songs of daily life, but the songs aren't grand, her vocals aren't overpowering, and her lyrics (refreshingly) don't offer delusions of grandeur. But, take the time to let Newcomer’s elegant alto voice soak in, and it soon becomes clear that Before & After holds something more — the music is able to speak for itself.
This non-fussy approach — a tactic that has made Newcomer a household name within her genre — is something that shines through now more than ever before. Perhaps it's that she's had plenty of time to get it right (she is 52, after all), but wisdom, and the ability to convey it musically, is something that takes a while. Before & After also couples Newcomer with country gal Mary Chapin Carpenter, an added bonus to an already hauntingly real and soulful record.
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Carrie Newcomer official site
Carrie Newcomer MySpace
Issue #29
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