Cristina Vane – Nowhere sounds beautiful
In-house production
www.cristinavane.com
CD: 12 songs, 42 minutes
Styles: Mellow Blues, Country Blues, Debut Album
Summer is here! Not just any summer, but the first after the COVID vaccination. Now that we have this opportunity, what do we all want to do? One word: "Vacation". What place should we go to? According to Cristina Vane from Nashville, Nowhere sounds lovely. This may sound like an oxymoron, but it's true. On her debut album, Vane takes us across the United States while venturing herself on a five-month cross-country tour. From “Blueberry Hill” (not a Chuck Berry song, but an original melody) to “Badlands” to “Dreaming of Utah”, she explains the beauty of her father's homeland – she was born in Italy – and reflects on his different teachings.
With twelve original tracks, this gentle, melodic CD is perfect for the scenic route. With vocals reminiscent of Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow and a young Bonnie Raitt, Vane lulls us into a dreamy mood, no matter what places we dream of. What the album lacks in sharpness and volume, it makes up for with a casual, carefree atmosphere and beautiful guitar all round.
“My favorite part of traveling the country was regaining my American heritage, which was very hard to figure out,” explains Cristina. “Everywhere I went I wore my anthropological hat and watched people talk and interact. There were new places that felt sometimes very familiar and sometimes very strange. Every bag in the country has its unique taste and the discovery of the musical styles that go with it really shaped this record. I knew next to nothing about country, old-time and bluegrass music until I ventured into the American South, but seeing these diverse musical traditions on a local level was inspiring. "
Together with Cristina (vocals and guitar), Cactus Moser will perform on production and percussion, Dow Tomlin on electric and double bass, Tommy Hannum on pedal steel and Dobro and Nate Leath on violin.
“Blueberry Hill” is a lively getaway to New Orleans, with the rhythm of “Come Together” by the Beatles, the heart of every Dolly Parton song, and the freshness of a breeze from the hills. Next comes the "Travelin 'Blues" with a fantastic guitar and a haunting "Prayer for the Blind". “Pray for your mothers, whatever they do. The blind lead the blind, and oh, I follow you. ”Tommy Hannum honors us with his lively violin and the banjo is not bad either. “Wishing Bone Blues” is a peppy number with a little shabby mojo, and “Satisfied Soul” closes this musical journey with a touch of drowsy contentment. Nothing feels as good as coming home.
Overall, this debut performance is well above average. More musical variety would have helped, as would a boogie track or two. As it is, almost any song could be a slow dance number. Perhaps for their second release, Vane will dig deep and dive deeper into the darker depths of the American country-blues psyche. Hopefully and happy holidays!
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