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 To
get things going here, I'm going to have to use the adolescent "just
because" argument to describe Julie de Azevedo's new album,
Home. Home is a truly great album because, well... because it's
truly great. Just because. That's really all I can think to say,
initially. Specific reasons don't seem to do justice to art that
seems to be so overwhelmingly right. But I suppose that some specifics
are to be expected in music reviews, so here's a few...
"When I Can't Find the Words" begins with an intricately
weaving piano and guitar part that folds into Julie's vocals. Some
tom riffing keeps the rhythm propelled, and the bridge pulses with
dynamic interplay between the piano and guitar and Julie's interesting
but always musical vocal phrasing.
"One Child" has a lazy lounge jazz feel as brushed drums
scratch against the piano. The minor and suspended chords that emerge
as this song progresses take it to places that are both unexpected
and beautiful.
"Listen With My Heart" is a soulful rock song with some
great organ and wah-wah riffing. This song again includes chord
choices that are anything but typical and yet work very nicely.
I should mention that when Julie is making interesting chord changes,
it is not merely for the sake of doing so, but she is always serving
the song.
"Best Laid Plans" is an upbeat winner that brings to mind
Bruce Hornsby's bouncier songs. This is the catchiest song on the
album with a memorable and amusing hook line ("Has anyone seen
my best laid plans?"), and a cool arrangement with flutes offsetting
the driving rhythm section. A fun instrumental break features a
flute solo and judicious use of cowbell.
Julie's voice in "Make Enough of Me" hits me (well, hits
me gently) like Kate Bush's in her wonderful song "This Woman's
Work". An elegant and poignant ballad.
"What If" starts with a terrific Supertramp-esque (Supertrampy??)
Leslie organ riff, and builds into yet another uh, excellent song.
Where's my thesaurus with more synonyms for "great"?
Gosh, I could go on and on with the accolades for these brilliant
songs, so I will...
"Great Escape" has a terrific title line and chorus and
a funky groove with a slippery bass riff. This song and "Best
Laid Plans" would sit quite comfortably on contemporary radio.
"Offering" may be the most moving spiritual ballad I've
ever heard, both musically and lyrically. I challenge anyone to
listen to this song and maintain a dry eye. I've heard so many 'inspirational'
songs that merely speak of their subject with worshipful-sounding
platitudes and put them on top of boring, safe arrangements. This
song is so much more of a living, breathing expression of faith
and love. A definite entry in the sacred hymnbook of life.
"Graceland" has the same kind of spiritual metaphor as
Paul Simon's classic song of the same name, but this one is more
overtly religious in nature. Some nice muted guitar and horn accompaniment,
and a vibrant spirit throughout.
"Sometimes He Calms the Storm" is a melodic song carried
just perfectly with nothing but Julie's liquid voice and Rich Dixon's
thick, jazzy guitar.
Julie's lyrics on Home are both conversational and accessible and
also evocative and poetic. Not an easy thing to do, and yet it comes
across as effortless despite the obvious effort and craft involved.
And there's actually some humor and wit within her words, which
is so refreshing to hear in spiritual music. For example, in "Graceland",
when she belts out, "I've got news for you, the King is alive",
it works perfectly within its gospel context and also serves as
a funny goof on the Elvis aspect.
There is some over limiting and squashing compression on some songs,
distorting the mix a little bit at times, so that's somewhat unfortunate,
but thankfully it's not too bad and I'm not going to hold that against
this most praiseworthy piece of work. The production by John Hancock
(co-produced by Julie de Azevedo) is stellar, and performances by
the guest musicians rock solid. This album is incredibly listenable
for the arrangements, the performances, the production textures,
the mix of styles and tempos, and of course for Julie's voice and
incredible songs.
Certainly this album deserves five stars, but having just seen the
movie Spanglish, I'm going to do Julie the courtesy of not having
to bear the oh so tremendous burden of such a rating. Don't mention
it, Julie.
****
1/2 - Four and a half out of five
------------------------
Eric
Endres
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