Search - Karyn Whittemore :: Slippery Road

Great Album

wizard | 11/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I usually don't do reviews, but I came by this Album somewhat serendipitously and was quite amazed at the quality and professionalism of this comparatively little known performer. Her Alto voice at times gives a haunting spiritual aurora and draws you into her songs, and makes you feel the emotions that she is expressing in her work... I liked all the songs in the album, but my favorites were: "If you could believe in you ", "Slippery Road"; "Does my Heart Show"; "Shadenfreude". It took me a while to figure out that Slippery Road was not about roads at all, but about a child being born. I think that anybody who buys this album will greatly appreciate the emotions and feelings expressed in her work. The only disappointment I have with this artist is where is her other albums?? This was done in 2001."

Sonic Tapestry

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 06/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Karyn Whittemore's 2001 "Slippery Road" is an excellent singer-songwriter disc. Her piano-based melodies are beautiful and call to mind the classic female singer-songwriters such as Carole King & Laura Nyro as well as newer artists like Tori Amos and Suzanne Vega. "I Don't Own You" is a beautiful midtempo melody with Karyn's higher-pitched alto being quite expressive, "Can't take the answers from the grave, Can't know everything, Can't know how we are saved, Can't know it all 'cause I have no control at all." "Catatonic" is a great toe tapper with some tasty electric lead guitar by Tom Chandler. Her lyrics are at times extremely upbeat as on "Let the Healing Begin," "Once I feared that I was drowning, Once I thought the only way up was out, departure was so inviting, but now I've come to learn that there's more that life is about." "Shadenfreude" is apparently a German word about which Whittemore bases an intricate & moving song about embarrassment & revenge, "God forgive me right now, I know these thoughts I should learn to control, Strange the way that life can take you down while others smile from the sidelines." "High Now" is a hook-laden pop tune where Karyn's voice interweaves with itself in a tidy tune about drug abuse. The set concludes with a stunning almost a cappella song with Karyn's melody & countermelody weaving an intricate sonic tapestry. There are no weak tracks on this excellent independent release that is sure to fly below the radar screens of many. Seek & you shall find! Enjoy!"