Cheryl Wheeler - Sylvia Hotel

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Free Music Notes for Sylvia Hotel

Free Music Review: An album of well-written songs with sensitive backing
Hit: 5 Stars

I must admit to a bit of skepticism when I read the pre-release claims that this might be the best representation yet of Cheryl's work, but after repeated listenings I do believe I'm inclined to agree......

The Songs.....

1) His Hometown.....Cheryl has a wonderful ability to perceive the beauty in the commonplace....Like the aging couple in Quarter Moon, the protagonist in this song is one of the little people most of us wouldn't give a second glance.....Thankfully, Cheryl did.....Lucy Kaplansky's harmonies are dead on, and the song is wrapped in layers of shimmering guitars plus Kenny White's stately Hammond organ, with Larry Campbell adding some killer dobro licks.....

2) But The Days And Nights Are Long......"just keep it rolling, keep it rolling".....the false start provides an added touch of intimacy to this beautiful song of loss and resignation.....Lucy Kaplansky again adds just the right harmonies.....an intensely moving song.....

3) If It Were Up To Me......Rap ala Cheryl.....dead-on social observations framed by layered guitars, thumping bass, droning organ, and fat drums.....and it works with devastating impact.....

4) Right Way To Do The Wrong Thing......A look at a disintegrating relationship, from the point of view of an empathetic observer......Ben Wisch provides the understated harmony vocal.....Kenny White's acoustic piano and Larry Campbell's pedal steel provide the soundscape.....

5) All The Live Long Day......What country music could be if Nashville cared as much about content as image.....perhaps the best ensemble performance on the album....All the players give inspired performances, especially Larry Campbell and Al Petteway on guitars.....Lucy Kaplansky provides the gorgeous harmonies.....

6) Sylvia Hotel......Cheryl lays her soul bare.....wrapped in Larry Campbell's weeping pedal steel.....If this one doesn't move you, you'd better check your pulse....

7) Unworthy......A bit of comic relief....recorded live.....Quintessentially Cheryl.....She makes those tongue-twisting lyrics sound easy.....

8) Rainy Road Into Atlanta......A gorgeous, timeless, familiar sounding melody, somewhat akin to Further And Further Away.....The minor key shift in the bridge is an unexpected delight.....Larry Campbell's guitar work shines again.....

9) Lighting Up The Mighty Mississippi......A late night night road song.....with Cheryl's weary, smoky, vocal prominent above the low key backing....."It's not like someone's waitin' when I get home anyway".....The line speaks volumes.....

10) Potato......No one but Cheryl could write this one.....as a musician, I initially had a tendency to overlook her comedic material as mere entertainment as opposed to "serious" music, but in this context it's easy to see how the moodswings help to accentuate the more serious songs......

11) Meow......A late night feline blues.....smoke and whisky highlighted by Larry Campbell's slinky dobro.....meow, meow, meow......

12) Who Am I Foolin'......Last call.....Cheryl's intimate vocal backed by Kenny White's minimalist acoustic piano.....Turn out the lights......

(13) We're The Bank......Bankers and musicians.....a study in opposites.....the vocal is somewhat tinny sounding, as though it were being heard through an old monaural car radio.....On the road again......

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