The NY-scene free jazz saxophonist forms an indie-folk-country-rock-muddy-blues trio with fabulously strong results in this passionate, raw, free-flowing debut as guitarist-singer-songwriter, lyrics themed around their original hometown of Kingsport, Tennessee, and coloured by Appalachian roots. Sliding between acoustic and electric, there’s real authenticity to her sound, her voice moving from intimate, quiet folky southern drawl to fiery, snarly, emotional breaking point, with feedback-filled instruments and drums also bursting and crashing then restarting to brilliant effect, joined by Jim White (drums) and Kevin Hyland (electric guitar). The album is inspired by lives of working-class folk in small towns who bust their asses off while trying to find any salvation they can (see for example the wonderfully strong fresh sounding songs Weed Eating or Odd Jobs). “I hope these songs touch people’s hearts,” Amba says. “They’re about people who really need to be seen and heard.”
With this fusion of sounds acoustic and electric charges the air of this album, making for dynamic moods – a changeably stormy combination. There’s typically gentle acoustic guitar on Emahoy, and while the same instrument initially sets tone on Child You’ll See, that song morphs into dark drone sounds and anarchic, screaming, saxophone blows.
Before that there are many other highlights, from the lovely finger-picking opener OCD, the poignant, easy-paced Another Time, the fabulously strummy, catchy, indie rock of Dead End Street, the delicious folk-Appalachian of Southern Soil, or Blueberry Thorn’s syncopated rhythms, scratchy violin and sense of hope, but most of all the title track, which thrums and builds with passion and a dark sense of menace, and is themed around about what and why something makes someone’s heart full: “I seen you on the shore / Dreaming of so much more / A life you think you could only see in the sunshine.” A warm, passionate voice, filled with tenderness and anger on behalf of by communities pushed to the margins, and touched by those who have lost a sense of identity, Amba here considerably songwriting talent and a unique style, let’s hope they release more of this alongside the saxophone work. Out on Matador Records.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Feel free to recommend more new songs and albums and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or find more on social media: Song Bar X, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: