Zweitwerk der jungen Sängerin aus der Hoboken, New
Jersey Scene mit einer reinen Country- und Country Rock-ausgerichteten Musik,
in der ihre wunderschöne, klare Stimme perfekt zur Geltung kommt. Stilistisch
befindet sie sich in der Mitte zwischen dem neo-traditionellen Insurgent
Zeug von Kelly Hogan, Catherine Irwin oder Sally Timms und den größer
betriebenen Alben von Kelly Willis und Elizabeth Cook. Die mitmachenden
Musiker sind u.a. Jon Graboff, Doug Wygal, Produzent und Gitarrist Jay Sherman-Godfrey,
Mary Lee Kortes.
Wie bereits auf dem ebenso höchst gelungenen Debut 'Not The Tremblin'
Kind' hat Cantrell 4 eigene Lieder geschrieben, dazu gibt's Stücke
aus ihrem Umfeld - von Dave Schramm, Joe Flood, Dan Prater, Amy Rigby...
und alten Stoff wie den Titelsong von der Carter Family, hier allerdings
ausdrücklich dem Arrangement von Wilco nachempfunden.
(Glitterhouse)
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With her debut, Not the Tremblin' Kind, Brooklynite Laura Cantrell quietly
made a great little Americana album that earned kudos across the board.
The effort also found Cantrell, an award-winning DJ at New Jersey's famed
WFMU who knows her way around a record collection, championing tracks
by little-known yet top-notch songwriters. Expect more of the same from
When the Roses Bloom Again; Cantrell has completely sidestepped the sophomore
jinx with a wonderful album that builds upon the strengths of her debut.
Listeners may be familiar with the title track (adapted from traditional
lyrics) through the Wilco/Billy Bragg collaboration that finally surfaced
on the Chelsea Walls soundtrack in early 2002. Cantrell steers away from
the rolling drama of that rendering, however, opting instead for a more
subtle approach that emphasizes her plaintive delivery and is bolstered
by mandolin, fiddle, and stark percussion. And Cantrell's version is just
as heart-rending. Cantrell is no vocal powerhouse, but she has found a
way -- much like Merle Haggard -- to use her gifts to maximum effect.
One hangs on every word and each phrase is a clarion call to sincerity.
This album also finds Cantrell once again paying fine tribute to songwriter
Joe Flood; the upbeat, Byrdsy performance of Flood's "All the Same
to You" is one of the finest tracks here. Just as with her lauded
radio show, the listener is in good hands with this album; Cantrell mixes
classic country sensibility, pop chops, and a great taste in tunes to
stirring effect.
(by Erik Hage, All
Music Guide)
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