2011, Elan Records Canada
Babe Gurr continues her slow, relentless rise through the world of folk and Americana. Her last album, Chocolate Lilly, earned rave reviews in both the U.S. and Canada, and led to a series of high profile concerts in both countries. Gurr’s songs have also been featured on a number of shows on U.S. television, including the FOX series Higher Ground. Gurr’s songwriting has also been lauded in venues such as the Billboard World Song Contest, the 12th Great American Song Contest, and the Sonic Bids Nashville Song Contest, the latter of which she won. Gurr recently released her latest effort, SideDish, a collection of eight originals and two covers with an international flair.
SideDish opens with “I’m Just Here To Dance”, a gritty tango, and Gurr’s voice is as sultry as the dance itself. Gurr is a master storyteller, and proves it once again here. “Solo Mia” is an absolutely gorgeous performance, with Gurr’s earthy alto the perfect complement to a great arrangement. “The World Is Calling” is a wonderfully dark world/rock number that blends Middle Eastern and Western sounds in a vibrant and driven arrangement. “I Will Be” is a pure love song; a promise of devotion with surprisingly melancholic undertones. The song is dark and urgent; moving in an almost needful way.
“Voodoo Love” is bluesy, elemental folk/rock ala Bonnie Raitt; a catchy number with an unforgettable chorus. This is Gurr at her finest. “My Love” and “Let’s Find A Way” are both solid entries, and lead to the closer, “Rio’s Lullaby”. The song is an apt closer, a gentle goodnight that highlights Gurr’s voice as the supreme instrument it is.
Babe Gurr’s SideDish definitely walks a different musical line than we have heard from her in the past, but it is a worthwhile one to follow. Gurr shows a versatility of language and style that is unique in modern music; not just an ability to cover different ground but a depth of perception and musical understanding that is startling. Gurr’s voice, as always, is a pleasure, and the journey she takes on SideDish is one that listeners will prize.
Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)
Learn more about Babe Gurr at www.babegurr.com. SideDish is available on CD from Amazon.com. The album is also available in multiple formats from CDBaby.com.
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