Jenee Halstead’s The River Grace is not completely new anymore, but such a self-released debut easily disappears in the enormous supply. Still popmagazine Heaven reviewed the record favourably already in no. 58, January-February 2009/no. 1. That was justified, because what Halstead shows is impressive in ten songs that were sometimes written together with others.
In a mix in which country and folk struggle for the upper hand, but in which clear influences of singer-songwriter and gospel can be heard too, she evokes anguished atmospheres with simple means. Matt Weiner’s zooming acoustic bass, Steve Moore’s always atmospheric, often whisperingly threatening keyboard, Zak Borden’s mandoline and mandola and Mike Grigoni’s often determining dobro and pedal steel create a stiffling backdrop without playing a note too many.
Halstead has a crystal clear voice that pairs emotion with a sometimes metal-like sound.
Her lyrics often breathe a huge desolation. In the barren Nick Drake reigns the atmosphere of that British folk singer-songwriter’s later songs, but is his name never mentioned, while in Darkest Day a couple in love flees the police with fatal consequences.
Still: mentioning only these two songs does not do the other ones justice, because in those other songs too Halstead’s words make a strong impression because of the contrast between the seeming casualness with which she sings and her topics. Halstead’s songs prove all ten to be of a high quality and intensity.
***1/2