June 29, 2004
CD Review
Hello all,
Below is a review of "Leave A Pearl" that appeared in Boston's
ArtsEditor" magazine. To see the original, go to www.artseditor.com.
05.15.04 music
Peter Adzima's Leave a Pearl
Wild Oats Records, based in Nashville, has an impressive talent roster
for a small, grassroots label. Touting a wide variety of seasoned
performers ranging from blues guitarist Eddie Kirkland to erstwhile
Smithereens frontman Pat DiNizio, Wild Oats also features archive
releases from legends like Johnny Paycheck and Townes Van Zandt.
Now add to that list singer-songwriter Peter Adzima, whose promising
Wild Oats debut was just released earlier this year.
What first strikes the listener is how closely Adzima evokes
James Taylor, in his warm vocal style and in his general, laid-back
musical vibe, but there's a heartfelt ache in Adzima's singing that
more closely resembles the tenuous veracity of Country Joe McDonald.
Tossing all comparisons aside, however, a closer listen to Adzima's
deceptively breezy tunes betrays a singularly monsoon-battered,
castaway soul. His introspective, meditative songs etch out a territory
all their own, from the gentle reflection on love lost of "Fall in July"
to the painfully ponderous, suicidal first-person narrative of
"Leaving on a Dream."
While the most optimal setting for hearing these songs is certainly a
seaside coffeehouse, Leave a Pearl does benefit from a strong group of
backing musicians and the fine production of country music veteran
Steve Haggard. Adzima's richly told tales are adorned throughout with
an appealing blend of woodwinds, mandolin, fiddle, slide guitar,
and tastefully spare keyboards, but the supporting instrumentation
never distracts the listener from the songs themselves.
With such nice, tuneful music surrounding the familiar struggles of
drunkards and loners found within Peter Adzima's lyrics, it's clear
that their intent is a healing, common ground. As tattered and torn as
these songs find their subjects, Leave a Pearl still comes across as a
pleasant listen for a casual Sunday afternoon, but one that lingers on
the patiently attuned ear with the reward of a bittersweet,
life-affirming drama. In short, this one comes in like a lamb,
and then goes out with the lamb and the lion walking hand-in-hand.
— Jason W. Smith
|
|
|