Hurricane in Outer Space
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 05/02/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Amy Fradon's second solo album is a joyful folk experience. Her beautiful voice melds with her gifts as a songwriter on this most satisfying set. The opener "Come What May" is strong and stately, as if we are watching a procession of time. "What's That I Hear?" sounds like it comes from an old-time Peter, Paul & Mary set, "It's the sound of freedom calling, ringing up to the sky, it's the sound of the old ways a-falling, you can hear it if you try." Her tribute to the Band's Rick Danko, "Silver Wings," is a beautiful reflective melody, "Home is where you live now; where am I?" The "Magic Moonbeam Motel" brings to mind Maria Muldaur's early work on a bouncy tune about guys smoking Chesterfields trying to impress a girl named Genevieve. "Behind Closed Eyes" may have a bit of a generic melody, but Amy's lovely voice tells the story of a prison guard, "This can't be all there is to life, if we could just come out from behind closed eyes." "Love Blew In" is a haunting melody, "Love blew in with the charm & social grace of a hurricane in outer space." One of my favorites is the slapping percussion and bass on "Hambone," "When mama gets mad, those frying pans fly. You better duck down or you might lose an eye." My favorite track is the only cover on the set, currently my personal #1. Amy duets with Tim Moore on the quintessential romantic track "Let It Be Me," "God bless the day I found you, I want to stay around you so let it be me, don't take this heaven from one, if you must cling to someone, let it be me." I have about 5 versions of this tune including Sonny & Cher in my collection; and this is my favorite. "Do Remember Me" is a lovely traditional-style ballad, a sad lament, like Judy Collins or Joan Baez might have sung early in their careers. "The Burning Tree" is a banjo ballad with Biblical imagery. Amy uses flute and celestial harmonies on the ethereal melody of "The Flowers Still Bloom." Amy closes with piano backing her on the title track. This is a lovely folk set with gorgeous vocals and sterling musicianship. Enjoy!"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1