Album Details

• Artist: Sarah Harmer
• Album: I'm A Mountain
• Label: Cold Snap Records
• Year of Release: 2005
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: psychoticbarber on 2008-09-08

Sarah Harmer's fourth album, I'm A Mountain, is quite a departure from her previous works. With her on this acoustic folk and bluegrass album are Chris Bartos (Fiddle), Willie P. Bennett (Harmonica), Luther Wright (Banjo, Harmonica, Harmony Vocals), Dan Curtis (Guitar), John Dinsmore (Bass), Jason Euringer (Harmony Vocals, Stand-Up Bass), Spencer Evans (Clarinet, Piano, Accordion), Dean Stone (Percussion), and Clem Harmer (Harmony Vocals). Yes, Clem is in fact Sarah's father.

As I mentioned in the previous album, the acoustic folk/bluegrass direction of this album is different from the Sarah Harmer we've heard in the past. I think, however that it suits her quite wonderfully, especially her cover of the Dolly Parton song Will He Be Waiting For Me?. The song describes the worries of a woman distant from her love, saying "Will he be waiting for me? He will be, won't he?", her quiet quickness giving an almost frantic air to the questions.

Other songs of note on the album include I Am Aglow, another wonderful image describing an intense love. I'm also quite partial to Salamandre, sung entirely in French. The lyrics were written by Kate Fenner, but true to form, this is also a love song. Perhaps love and bluegrass go together well, or maybe it's just love and Sarah Harmer.

A couple songs, like The Ring, and Oleander, lack the same punch as the others. The energy seems to be missing from them, and they detract from the overall enjoyment of the album, but they don't detract from it much.

Overall, Sarah Harmer's I'm A Mountain is a rock-solid album, sure to be enjoyed if you like folk or bluegrass music. Even if you don't, it's a beautifully put together set of songs, and that's why you should listen to it.

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