REVIEW: Jennifer Goree, Jennifer Goree (NightShade/Ghostmeat)

- Jon Steltenpohl

Take heart. Nestled somewhere, between the bleeding heart folk singers, "Freebird" covering Southern rockers, and "new" country, is a group of musicians who make smart, genuine music. The best of these bands make music that is gritty but beautiful, and emotional but unpretentious. Cowboy Junkies typified this style with their stunning Trinity Sessions, but other examples fall few and far between. Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt made really slick versions that sold well to the VH-1 crowd, but those albums never escaped their commerical feel. "No Depression" bands get the honesty down, but they tend to lack essential production values.

Often, the only refuge left to find honest music is on independent labels. That's where you'll find Jennifer Goree's self-titled release. It's a collection of loose, bluesy grooves alongside tender, touching ballads. Goree's style draws on a familiar tapestry of folk, blues, rock, and country roots. She's at ease doing a Sheryl Crow style piece like "Running on Home", a Lucinda Williams hard luck woman track like "Nothing You Can Do", or a traditional, acapella folk tune like "Shady Grove."

Hammond organ, a mournful guitar, and a sweet, soulful voice g reet you when you put Jennifer Goree's CD in the player. "Love Will Abide" is contemplative and optimistic. Goree sings, "When I was a child I spoke like a child / But now I'm a woman and now I see / I see faith, hope, and I know that love will abide / So I'm saving all my love just for you." It's a simple tune, but Goree's voice is sure and seductive. Like the best of Cowboy Junkies, there's something soothing about being so laid back.

Goree uses subtle textures to build her sound, and with the help of producer and guitarist Glenn Cannon, this album presents a near perfect balance of raw intimacy and studio production. Goree's album caught the ear of Ghostmeat Records when she sang back-up vocals on another Cannon produced album by Tony Tidwell and The Scalded Dogs. Tidwell has an affinity for roots rock done southern style, but, like Goree, he shines out amongst his major label peers with a matter-of-fact simplicity.

While many folk acts are trying to change their sound to get a little airplay, there are fortunately a few artists out there who still just make great music. Jennifer Goree seems content with making music that feels and sounds just like music should. These songs are casual and easy going. The harmonies are sweet, the lyrics have meaning, and the music is alive. This album is right up there with the best of Cowboy Junkies catalog, and without a doubt, Jennifer Goree puts her major label peers to shame.

You can contact Jennifer Goree at jenny@appalachiansoul.com and http://www.meerkat-computing.com/jenny. You can contact Ghostmeat Records at http://members.aol.com/ghostmeat/home.htm.