Rebecca Martin and Jesse Harris are Once Blue, the acoustic-rock duo from Manhattan that has created quite a buzz around town with their self-titled debut album. Performing together for more than two and a half years has built up a considerable and impressive following. In fact, it was after stumbling into a gig of theirs at CBGB's Gallery that EMI president David Sigerson signed Once Blue on the spot.
The carefully crafted, expertly written music unfolds for the listener slowly; a single play of the album can not possibly afford any sense of understanding or depth. However, the music is beautifully simple - Harris allows each instrument (albeit guitar or upright bass) and each individual sound to be heard while Martin cleverly uses her voice as an additional instrument, sometimes dominating, sometimes leading and other times as an accompaniment to the music.
Martin's child-like voice is high and sweet and textured with deeper, richer undretones making for an infinitely subtle and equally powerful deliverance. Martin's voice is unique and undeniably recognizable, giving the album a flavor that is Once Blue.
Producer Steve Addobbo (Suzanne Vega) had known the band for more than a year before they began recording and completely understood Harris' and Martin's desire of capturing the strong dynamic of their live performance on the record. Harris explains, "There are minimal overdubs and most of Rebecca's vocals were done in one take. [It's] the raw excitement of a band making music in the moment. Perfectionism in the studio can sometimes take the life out of a final recording." Martin adds, "We never sought perfection, just the power of collaboration." And, it is just this that gives Once Blue their signature sound.
