Jamie-Sue Seal delivers a third album that blends together her eclectic Americana influences with a bit of pop sensibilities thrown in. Having recorded her first two albums in Lansing, Michigan, she moves south to Nashville to team with guitarist/producer Tim Thompson who assembles a crew of sessioners that push everything to a stronger level.
It's actually Tim Thompson's guitar playing that really elevates things here because in one word, it's superb! Subtle at times and then really pulling out the stops on the uptempo songs.
Highlights for me are the unrelenting driving passion of Secrets where lyrically there's even a little bit of early Melissa Etheridge. The opener Homeward Bound effectively sets the tone for the album with its acoustic driven groove and rootsy vibe, complete with country gospel vocal stylings. Mustang Summer is more country with fast pace lyrics spat out with abandon as Jamie-Sue reminisces.
Floating and Drinking The River Dry both return to a lighter acoustic vein leaving plenty of room to enjoy Jamie-Sue's voice. I actually prefer her when she's ripping it up a little bit and letting loose so the rockier Midnight Run and the closing Fly Away are both joyful optimistic road songs.
Lyrically, she manages to create songs that include spiritual concerns without relying on language of the CCM scene and avoids cliches. In whatever musical setting she chooses to place them, the songs are always top of the bill! And there are plenty to admire here.
3 tocks
Similar sounding releases
2000Bryan WhiteGreatest Hits
1999Justin McRobertsReason for Living
2003Luke OlsonUvalde
1995Rich MullinsBrother's Keeper
1996Brush ArborThe Way The River Runs
1995Carolyn ArendsI Can Hear You
