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• CD Review - IAMA • CD Review - Catalyst Magazine • Notable Quotes •
CD Review... Kristin Erickson
See What The Morning Brings
I first heard Kristin Erickson at an informal gathering of musicians
a couple of years ago. I was impressed by the clarity of her vocals
and her smooth guitar accompaniment in that casual setting. Much
of that mood carries over into her recent recording, See What
The Morning Brings. While listening, I'm reminded of female folk
artists of the 60's on some tracks while on others, a more sophisticated
sound reminiscent of subsequent decades comes through. Maybe that's
because of the fine musicians featured on the album. Rich Dixon
mixes styles on the guitar expertly throughout and treats us to
some very creative licks. Probably my favorite guitar work is
the intro to Reconstruction (track 12). There's beautiful work
throughout the song, as well but the intro is haunting. And…
on the same track, Kate MacLeod's violin fills the piece with
nice subtlety. Rich also adds dobro and baritone guitar on Hornet
while Kate adds more tasteful violin to Take A Breath. This song
has become my favorite as the message evokes a feeling of simplicity
accented by the sweet instrumentation. "Take a Breath and
Just Come Home….Take a Breath and Just Feel Free." Throughout
the record Rob Honey's bass work is tasteful, indeed. Drum duties
on three tracks are carried out by Rick Senese. On the gnarliest
tune there's even an organ played by John Hancock. John also adds
some harmony vocals later on Who Loves You. There's even a pedal
steel played by Steve Allred in Beautiful. Rounding out the amazing
cast of musicians is the great Ken Sager on his mandolin. What
a backing!
Kristin wrote 11 of the album's 13 songs. Who Loves You is a
nifty Western Swing style song written by Jim Thomas and There
is a Dog in Rockford was penned by Minnesota guitarist extraordinaire
and vocalist, Lonnie Knight. Her lyrics are frequently clever
(Good Girls); certainly contemplative as on Stars, Reconstruction,
and True Love Stays; and sometimes intimate. The songs, Been Through
the Wars and Birdie each tell a compelling story. There's a tone
in Kristin's songs that suggests she is assuming the role of teacher
or counselor. …works for me. I like the message. In fact,
there's something decidedly wholesome about this recording. Her
delivery features laid back guitar work and a soprano vocal that
is achingly beautiful. The songs are sung with fearlessness, even
peacefulness. This album is just too Beautiful (track 13) to remain
a secret for long.
(Bob Cantonwine - September, 2007, issue of the Intermountain
Acoustic Music Association magazine)
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Kristin Erickson - See What the Morning Brings
Some albums so successfully evoke a mood that they become implanted into our consciousness and are forever associated with a particular place and time (Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue," for example, is just made for Sunday morning listening, while Hank Williams' classic country sides evoke the promise of Saturday night better than anything else ever recorded). With "See What the Morning Brings," local singer-songwriter Kristin Erickson has produced a thoughtful meditation on regret, loss and the search of meaning in middle age that will resonate with baby boomers.
Erickson's voice is elastic, distinctive, a bit dolorous, particularly in its upper register. At its best, it sounds lived in. Supporting players include local guitar stalwart Rich Dixon, who wisely underplays, providing tonal washes and tasteful single-note flourishes only where they're called for.
If I personally prefer the wistfulness of "Best Western Blues" or the lovely melodicism of "Take a Breath" to the more topical (and typically folky) commentary of "Birdie" or "Been Through the Wars," even the latter numbers are inventive and well-arranged. In sum, the entire release shows a thorough mastery of singer-songwriter conventions. If you like your modern singer-songwriter fare a la Dar Williams or Eliza Gilkyson, "See What the Morning Brings" is for you.
(Barry Scholl - Catalyst Magazine)
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