Album Details

• Artist: Persephone
• Album: The Birth Of Persephone
• Label: Self-Released
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2007-09-07

Persephone came to my attention like many bands do today; a random myspace add. After enjoying a couple of the tracks there I asked for and was kindly sent a copy of what I believe to be their only LP, The Birth Of Persephone. The band hails from New Mexico and their style is a fusion of jazz and folk, centered around leading lady Persephone's expressive and (apparently) classicaly-trained vocals. Indeed she tends to steal the show, and shows a talent beyond the norm.

   The Birth Of Persephone is a collection of smooth and intricate jazz-based songs, featuring tight musicianship from a group of players who sound as if they've been jamming for ages. Persephone's vocals, as previously mentioned, really shine on 'Mercy' and the extended-jam 'Amanda's Song', two of my favorites. To my ears she sounds like a pleasant mix of Norah Jones and Tori Amos, soulful and very in-tune as far as the rhythm in the lyrics goes. Johnny's guitar is a harmonic backdrop of sound on most tracks, a little low in the mix but he makes his presence felt regardless. Top-notch musicianship and surprisingly strong songwriting throughout.

   While I'm not 100% sure when The Birth Of Persephone was released, I am a little shocked to see they're still unsigned. This is really Grade-A material here, folks. Fans of jam-based jazz and especially female singer/pianists like Tori Amos should check this out ASAP. You'd be helping a good bunch of musicians out, plus adding a certain diamond in the rough to your collection. Let's just hope this isn't the last we hear from Persephone. 

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