Louise Grasmere - Blue Ain't Only Blue CD [NEW / SEALED]

Grasmere's sound is wholly her own - a unique fusion of jazz-influenced rhythm and blues seasoned with motown, gospel and soul. Think Bonnie Raitt laced with the smooth landscapes of Joni Mitchell, the imaginative improvisations of Ella Fitzgerald, and the gritty authenticity of Big Mama Thornton. Louise's sound is compelling, haunting at times, angry, powerful, full of love and passion and always deeply real. Performing in and around Boston in self-produced, sold-out concerts for decades. Grasmere has built a huge and devoted grassroots following that has taken on a life of it's own. Without major label backing or commercial promotion, her popularity with her fans has fueled Grasmere's ability to consistently perform for packed houses. Blue Ain't Only Blue is a listening journey in rhythm and blues with Grasmere's signature deep, rich and tremendously soulful sound. Tracks range from jazz-tinged funk, to hard-hitting blues, passionate soul, rootsy gospel, and sweet soulful folk rock ballads. This recording also marks Grasmere's emergence as a songwriter. Six of her own works appear on the album, one written in collaboration with co-producer and guitarist Kevin Barry (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Paula Cole, Lori McKenna), and one with pianist and composer Consuelo Candelaria. Grasmere completed Blue Ain't Only Blue on her 48th birthday - a milestone long after most singers can expect to find success in the youth-oriented music industry. But Grasmere turns her age into her greatest asset, with songs rich in hard-earned wisdom. Grasmere's powerful original tunes embrace universal themes of love and loss, and the "in-between" places in life's journey . 'It's simpler to think of experiences as good or bad;" Louise says, "but the richness is in seeing that both exist simultaneously. It can take some time to reconcile yourself to the complexities of the middle ground." "We think that youth is a time of freedom" says Louise, "but I am freer now than I ever was in my younger years. I am more willing to take risks and I am far less self-conscious than I was when I was teens, or 20's. For me the past years have been a process of peeling away the layers to an authentic self." Grasmere's song Sometimes You Bust Out Later On is a midlife blues anthem sure to resonate with listeners of all ages. When she sings 'I hit a few bumps...so I changed direction...took a U-turn and I came around, there ain't a damn thing left that'll slow me down' - she compels you to believe her and to embrace the promise of the next bend in the road. 'Bust Out is a declaration to the world, that no matter what obstacles you have to overcome, you simply must pursue your dreams." "Many years ago my teacher and friend Babatunde Olatunji said that the greatest tragedy of a life is to die with your music in you. That haunted me for years as I struggled to cast off my preconceived notions of what my life and my music were supposed to be. I found the freedom to write only after years of singing other people's music. I am always inspired when I hear about people who hit their creative stride in the years well after their youth. I've been working all my life to find my way to this music."

786851139327

LEG0022004

LEG Records, 2004

Country: US

NEW / SEALED

C09