Cheyenne Music
Abby Parks : Moving On (US,2005)**°°
When I heard the first song on the album, “love-all-consuming” associated with the subject shown in the photo shoots on the cover, I was at first a bit disappointed being confronted with a more country-ish sentimental opener where a relationship’s disappointment ruined in fact also the inner strength compensation for a song, which like putting this personally onto paper or into words with a wish to say it, the creative inspirations are also blinded by her own insecurity instead of finding its own strength against it. However, this is part of a life’s creative growing process and of the story and still is an important part of the background for its concept that leads to certain visions and certain processes and songs expressed in the album, it is forgivable because it leads almost immediately the true strength of Abby’s talent. She has a good voice, plays guitar well, and is able to make the necessary matured songs that have an inner strength that can grow in any directions. Immediately in the next song, “moving on” she is able to take that necessary distance for herself, a song obviously influenced by and in debt to Joni Mitchell in various ways. This influence is also noticeable in the slightly rockier (in a gentle way) “Love comes Knockin’”, a song which adapted cleverly a flamenco flavour element and accent which was nicely adapted into the song. Also when here the theme remains vulnerable it finds necessary strong foundations and artistic compensations. “Song of Magdalene” seems to have certain Christian inspirations, with a strong personal interpretation, “Lorelei” is a variation on the known story. So, except for the opener it the album shows gifted expressions.
