SHANNON WHITWORTH & BARRETT SMITH

Bring It On Home

2013-01-13

This duo approximates the interplay of Over the Rhine's Karen Berquist and Linford Detweiler as their voices weave through a mix of soulful classics from Sam Cooke, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen--interspersed with some jazz classics ("Moonglow," "I Get Ideas" and "Sway"). In each, Whitworth and Smith skillfully wrap their vocals around each other so that each song has a jazz bent, regardless of the genre of the original song. While the tunes ultimately depend on the smoky singing of the duo, I also appreciated the trumpet in "Moonglow," the saxophone in "Green Grass" and other tasteful musical flourishes throughout. The unhurried feel of the set reminds me of a home concert, with all of the participants acquaintances. Someone asked these two friends, "Hey, it's about 10 o'clock. How about you two playing some favorites?" They smiled, got out their instruments and the next thing you heard were the opening bars of "Bring It On Home to Me"... 01/13 Michael J. R-Adult Contemporary

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 03/2010

    NICK CURRAN AND THE LOWLIFES
    REFORM SCHOOL GIRL

  • reviewed 05/2010

    MINUS THE BEAR
    Omni

  • reviewed 12/2012

    TINA VERO
    Ready Let Go

  • reviewed 03/2008

    Ultraviolet Hippopatomus
    Songs For The Reaper

  • reviewed 04/2008

    R.E.M.
    Accelerate

  • reviewed 05/2011

    HERE WE GO MAGIC
    The January EP

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.