singer/songwriters presents :

Laura Veirs

CD (2001), CD (2004)

Bella Union/   Laura Veirs : The Triumphs & Travails of Orphan Mae (US,2001)**°°

Raving Marching Band Rec.

While most attention to Laura Veirs goes automatically perhaps for more reasons to the bigger label release (on Nonesuch) I have the chance to hear this earlier, now reissued acoustic album. With guitars, banjo, Wurlitzer, pump organ and a number of musicians (viola, bass, guitars, drums, violin, Casio, percussion and a field recording on some tracks) she expresses her reflective independent songs with a really pleasant voice. The songs I guess are all written on acoustic guitar or banjo, but are really nicely arranged with more variety. The production (Tucker Martine) and arrangements show eye for detail, and here and there have very original details or unusual instruments. Two to four out of ten tracks have a more Americana feel. A highly enjoyable album.

Audio : "Jailhouse Fire", "Johnny Henry lives","Black-Eyed Susan","Through December"

Homepage : http://www.lauraveirs.com/

Info (other release related) : http://www.bellaunion.com/laura.htm

& http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/veirs & http://www.billions.com/artists/lauraveirs/

Bio : http://www.nonesuch.com/hi_band/bio.cfm?artist_filename=veirs_laura.gif

Other intro : http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2002004709_nw15.html

& http://www.sacksco.com/roster/lauraveirs/lauraveirs_rls.html

Label's webpage : http://www.ravenmarchingband.com/

Nonesuch release (with audio) : http://www.nonesuch.com/Hi_Band/lauraveirs/

and with video : http://www.bellamedia.net/lv.mov

Interview : http://www.fearofspeed.net/lauraveirs.html

French interview : http://www.pinkushion.com/reportages.php3?id_article=685

Other reviews : http://www.planbmag.com/content/view/88/39/

& http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/folkcountry/reviews/lauraveirs_orphan_mae.shtml

Other review with 3 audio tracks : http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=16617

Live performance (audio) : http://www.kcrw.com/cgi-bin/ram_wrap.cgi?/mb/mb030417Laura_Veirs

Bella Union   Laura Veirs : Carbon Glacier (US,2004)***°

Having read so many positive things about this album, and having liked already much of the earlier Triumphs & Travails album (see review above) I was curious to know how much Laura had evolved. I must say here she really has moved forward towards songwriting perfection, and created something more focused and enduring in various ways. Here she plays guitar, banjo-uke, glockenspiel and whistles along on a few occasions to her songs, while Steve Moore plays piano, organs, vibraphonette, trombone, Karl Blau plays bass, guitar, synth and sax. Tucker Martine is responsible for drums, percussion and various treatments in the general production. Extra guests are Eyvind Kang on viola, Lori Goldston on cello, Keith Lowe on upright bass, and some more backing vocalists. All themes hang well together (water, ice, snow). The concept is revealed with intelligence. Also the arrangements are great, based upon what the songs with guitar and voice are able to improve to complement to the maximum.

Audio : “Cloud Room”, "Rapture"(or here)

Real audio of all tracks : http://www.nonesuch.com/Hi_Band/albums.cfm?album_num=559

& http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280%3B-1%3B-1%3B-1&sku=158538

Info with 4 audio tracks : http://www.nonesuch.com/Hi_Band/lauraveirs/

Small review with 4 audio tracks : http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=16050

Other reviews : http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/v/veirs_laura/carbon-glacier.shtml

http://www.moopy.co.uk/reviews/v/carbonglacier.shtml

& http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0%2C11712%2C1151670%2C00.html

& http://pasteradio.com/action/article?article_id=1365

French review : http://www.popnews.com/popnews/lauraveirs/

& http://www.routard.com/mag_musiques.asp?id_musique=325

Dutch review : http://www.muziekwereld.com/rec-laura_veirs.1.htm

& http://www.kindamuzik.net/reviews/twang/article.shtml?id=6059

(PS. About Lara Veirs : Various friends keep on saying hearing comparable elements to Suzan Vega).

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