2011, Elan Records Canada
Babe Gurr continues her slow, relentless rise through theworld of folk and Americana. Her lastalbum, Chocolate Lilly, earned ravereviews in both the U.S. and Canada, and led to a series of high profileconcerts in both countries. Gurr’s songshave also been featured on a number of shows on U.S. television, including theFOX series Higher Ground. Gurr’s songwriting has also been lauded invenues such as the Billboard World Song Contest, the 12th GreatAmerican Song Contest, and the Sonic Bids Nashville Song Contest, the latter ofwhich she won. Gurr recently releasedher latest effort, SideDish, acollection of eight originals and two covers with an international flair.
SideDish openswith “I’m Just Here To Dance”, a gritty tango, and Gurr’s voice is as sultry asthe dance itself. Gurr is a masterstoryteller, and proves it once again here. “Solo Mia” is an absolutely gorgeous performance, with Gurr’s earthyalto the perfect complement to a great arrangement. “The World Is Calling” is a wonderfully darkworld/rock number that blends Middle Eastern and Western sounds in a vibrantand driven arrangement. “I Will Be” is apure love song; a promise of devotion with surprisingly melancholicundertones. The song is dark and urgent;moving in an almost needful way.
“Voodoo Love” is bluesy, elemental folk/rock ala BonnieRaitt; a catchy number with an unforgettable chorus. This is Gurr at her finest. “My Love” and “Let’s Find A Way” are bothsolid entries, and lead to the closer, “Rio’s Lullaby”. The song is an apt closer, a gentle goodnightthat highlights Gurr’s voice as the supreme instrument it is.
Babe Gurr’s SideDish definitely walks a different musicalline than we have heard from her in the past, but it is a worthwhile one tofollow. Gurr shows a versatility oflanguage and style that is unique in modern music; not just an ability to coverdifferent ground but a depth of perception and musical understanding that isstartling. Gurr’s voice, as always, is apleasure, and the journey she takes on SideDishis one that listeners will prize.
Rating: 4 Stars(Out of 5)
Learn more about Babe Gurr at www.babegurr.com. SideDishis available on CD from Amazon.com. Thealbum is also available in multiple formats from CDBaby.com.