Caught in the Carousel

Brandi Shearer

Close to Dark
Amoeba Records

I hate the phrase “She has the voice of an angel.” It’s one of those “go to” phrases we use like “He has a heart of Gold” or “It’s to die for”. It should be confined to your Uncle Morty as his niece performs “Tomorrow” on the stage at a Bar Mitzvah, or a gaggle of blue hairs navigating their walkers up the strip after seeing the Celine Dion show. And, although one might feel inclined to use the phrase in regards to Brandi Shearer’s voice, it would be much more accurate to suggest that her voice is very much of this earth. One might even go so far as to suggest that she’s been to hell once or twice. She has the kind of voice that can have you smiling one moment, whispering “Me too” and weeping the next, screaming “Why me?”

Close To Dark is the first offering from Amoeba Records, the label brought to you by the good folks at Amoeba Music and it’s no surprise that the owner of the company signed Shearer after seeing her sing in a crowded club in San Francisco. Shearer’s earned her stripes as an artist doing the gritty club circuit, maintaining her composure while singing over boozy crowds of philistines, but it seems that’s all behind her now and she’s landed gracefully on her feet as a singer/songwriter to be revered and respected. The songs, all but one written by Shearer herself, range from the sensuous “Lullabies” and “Yes, Yes, Yes” to the powerful, muscle of “You’re Mine” and “I’ve Had Enough.” Elsewhere, “Congratulations” is a melancholy, reflective commentary on the fact that you can never really go home that every Black Sheep can relate to. Guitarist extraordinaire Jim Campilongo wrote the haunting music for “Swampland” and asked Shearer to write the lyrics and the collaboration is unforgettable. Other musicians featured on the CD include drummer Danny Frankel and bassist, David Piltch, (on loan from K.D Lang's band); Willy Aaron on guitar and Ted Savarese, who also co-produced, on acoustic guitar. Producer Larry Klein, (the magic touch behind a multitude of artists including Madeleine Peyroux and Joni Mitchell) brings a brilliant and luminous sheen to this affecting collection.

—Yvonne Prinz