Search - Denice Franke :: You Don't Know Me

Glimpses of the soul through songs of simple beauty.

07/01/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Denice Franke's voice is the first thing that stands out; pure, unpretentious, perfectly suited to her material. She sings with the confidence of one who knows the truth, but who would prefer to lead the listener to it rather than bludgeon the point across. It is a strong voice coupled with an undertone of reluctance, as if in singing she is revealing more than she wants. That sense is supported by the title track, "You Don't Know Me," a bittersweet ode to aging parents and the challenges of renewing ties under new circumstances. Other cuts explore similar themes of separation and loneliness, but never in a maudlin way. Both lyrically and musically, there is a note of hopefullness that overcomes the separation and bridges the listener to the heart of a fine singer-songwriter."

BEAUTIFULLY REALIZED INSIGHTS

Larry L. Looney | Austin, Texas USA | 05/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Denie Franke has been around the Texas music scene for many years now -- as a backing vocalist for Nanci Griffith, as one half of the duo Hudson and Franke, and in the last few years, finally, as an accomplished singer-songwriter-performer in her own right. Her guitar work is both impressive and effective, but it is her voice -- a rare, enveloping instrument in itself -- that captivates the listener here with words from her heart and soul, speaking directly, honestly and convincingly about a range of subjects both personal and universal. Able assistance is provided here by some of Texas' finest musicians, and the cd is very well-produced by Eric Taylor, a long-time musical associate and friend of the artist. Denice has long been one of my favorite performers -- the release of this amazing cd only confirmed my assessment of her talents. Some listeners have called these songs 'dark' -- and they are that, but they are so very human, and they are certainly not without hope. A highly recommended recording for anyone appreciative of an artist's ability to put into words and music what they're feeling in their soul."