Posted by Pete Smith on April 2, 2008, 1:15 am
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“The Advertiser” (UK) – 21 March 2008
This week I feature two country gals who have much in common though are different in their general approach. Each has a new album with a programme of original songs, a country classic and a pop favourite, both are beautiful, talented songwriters and first class musicians support each on their new albums. One hails from the USA, the other from Canada and one is appealing in her vulnerability whilst the other is appealing in her strength.
Allison Janisse was born in Hamilton, Ontario though the family moved to various locations in Canada. It was in Nova Scotia that Allison was asked to perform as part of a ladies choir and to sing solo in front of a capacity audience. She received a standing ovation and this convinced the young Allison that music was her destiny. At age eighteen and living in Alberta Allison discovered country music. Her sister, Christy, sent her some poems which she turned into songs and this inspired Allison to write more, more than enough to put six on her first album “Come Dance With Me” (Comstock). With the assistance of Dave Graham (guitar, mandolin, Dobro), Calvin Vollrath (fiddle), Rob Anderson (steel) and Gerry Dere (production, drums, bass, keys) Allison has produced and extremely strong debut that includes sensitive versions of Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night”, the pop standard “Unchained Melody” and Allison’s own western ballad “Give Me A Cowboy”. Pete’s Picks; “Stop Cheating On Me” (written by Allison) and “Don’t Say Goodnight, Say Good Morning”.
www.allisonjanisse.com
Barbara Cecil was born in Indiana but moved to Oregon at the age of three. Somewhat a lonely girl, Barbara entertained herself by singing, often at the top of her voice in the sure knowledge no one could hear her. Thus she developed a powerful singing voice. Singing in local pageants and for a neighbourhood country band convinced her a career in music would be her goal so in 1994 she began her solo career singing at state and county fairs. Moving her career on Barbara began writing songs and fronting local bands and in 1998 released her debut album. Barbara’s second and current release is “Roadhouse Angels” (Comstock) and album destined to bring the lovely Miss Cecil to a much wider audience. The songs presented here show Barbara, generally, to be a lady who is down to earth and not to be taken for granted especially on songs like “He Thinks He Knows” and “Don’t Be Saying” and she certainly has a sense of fun as shown with “BINGO” and “Roadhouse Angels. Barbara also includes moving versions of Willie Nelson’s “Crazy” and “Edelweiss”, my favourite from the show “The Sound Of Music” (I think Captain Von Trapp would have approved of this).
www.barbaracecil.com
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