Marianne Flemming cuts amazing
new CD, 'Pure & Simple'
by KT
Pure and Simple is this CD's opening number. It's amazing. All the guitar work is by Marianne Flemming. The song is amazing, tingling and spooky, flowing like a stream of electrically-charged particles. Liner notes say, "An ode to the rejuvenating powers of love, put with a solid groove. One of my favorites to sing and play."
Marianne Flemming
(Photo by Bonnie Carter)
Manmade Blues is informed by a view of the Atlantic Ocean from the high point of a bridge in Southern Florida. Flemming discusses "the restorative powers nature holds for us..."
Ernest is Blossoming is a bright and funny song about the different characters Flemming met while working food service jobs.
Ordinarily, this writer will not comment on every tune on a recording, but Pure and Simple is such an extraordinary production, it's hard to leave any songs out. Bonnie and Clyde is about "Star-crossed lovers on the lam, then and now."
It's hard to describe Flemming's singing style. One hears a pinch of Joni Mitchell, a nod to Joan Osborne and a new person that is neither Collins nor Osborne but someone else. Flemming wrote Hills of Baraboo after working within the Native American community in southern Wisconsin.
My Little Savage talks about "...wreaking havoc and breaking bones-turning me prematurely gray-how can someone be so cute and still be such a little savage..." dedicated to all parents who have come to the realization that life will never be the same.
Out of ten numbers on this recording, the first six are described above. It is not unfair to say you'll just have to listen to the CD to solve the rest of the puzzle called Pure and Simple. Much like the popular "Hidden Objects" computer games, these songs are enticing and strangely seductive, often seeming obvious and slightly obscured at the same time.
Bassist Kevin Revolinski plays on cuts 1, 4, 5 and 7. Yascha Noonberg plays vibes, steel drum, mandolin, accordion, keyboards, percussion, bass and on songs 2, 4 and 8, lead guitar. Produced by Noonberg and Flemming, Pure and Simple is released by Marianne Flemming Music. Website is www.marianneflemmingmusic.com.
These songs can be enjoyed by the curious, the escapist, the romantic and the "sing-the-baby to-sleepr" folks ... and everyone else as well. Enjoy Marianne Flemming, Pure and Simple.