Album review: SHANNON LaBRIE – Building
Moraine Records [Release date 25.09.20]
Since when did just 7 songs make an ‘album’? And it’s not as if we’re talking prog – this is Americana. And just 27 minutes of it.
But then we live in strange times. And when your music is principally streamed (over 12m on Spotify and Apple Music) maybe it no longer matters?
A new one on me, but an artist whose previous works I’ll be exploring, Building is LaBrie’s 3rd album, following Just Be Honest (2013) and War & Peace (2016) – both 12 track efforts, incidentally. Her songs have also featured in films, commercials and TV shows.
And it’s easy to see why, as she bridges the genres with her own brand of soulful, smoky, easy listening Americana.
The set opens with the single’ Firewalker’, a number that has an air of Larkin’ Poe’s current brand of retro pop (albeit here in a more refined style), ‘Raining Hallelujah’ adds a splash of modern day gospel, and ‘Angels Fall’ has subtle hints of Judie Tzuke – a tantalising, breathy acoustic number with a wonderfully barbed hook and sumptuous melody.
‘The Things We Say’ falls bang smack in Missy Higgins/Sarah McLachlan sparse piano balladry territory (in a similar way to mournful single ‘Alcohol’ on LaBrie’s last album), the title track is a piece of ‘smooth’ easy listening with a soulful jazz-lite vibe, ‘One In A Billion’ another dreamy, breathy, number imbued with mild country tones, and ‘It’s Good To Be King’ closes the set out contrastingly with a gently strummed electric guitar and contemplative vocals à la Susanne Vega or Joni Mitchell.
The excellent vocals, delightfully understated playing, and timeless song writing here mark Shannon LaBrie out as effortlessly cool, and Building a serious calling card. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections