Shannon Whitworth
(Thirty Tigers)
The blend of Shannon Whitworth's remarkably sultry vocals and Neilson Hubbard's shimmery production palette creates a hypnotic tableau for this, Whitworth's impressive sophomore set. She's not exactly a newcomer; her 2007 solo debut No Expectations took critics by storm, including those few who took notice of her during her tenure with Weaverville, NC (near Asheville) alt-country combo, the Biscuit Burners. Regardless, Water Bound represents a new beginning, one that may even jumpstart mainstream awareness, a status she decidedly deserves.
Ultimately, Water Bound oozes confidence, clearly evidenced on the seductive opening track "Run to Roll on Home," which makes an emphatic impact despite its desperate sense of longing. Likewise, the combined banjo ramble and assertive tempo of "Spring Is Here," the gentle swoon that guides "All the Same," and the infectious clip-clop rhythms and gospel groove underscoring "Wrong Kind of Man" all support the notion that Whitworth may soon nudge her way into the Americana hierarchy. Hubbard's signature sound - a hazy, ethereal swirl -creates an elusive feel on his own recordings, but here it functions as an effective sonic cushion, which, together with the generous dose of pedal steel guitar, creates a ubiquitous aural sheen. She mines the most from the root rock canon, but it's her earnest, beguiling delivery that's consistently captivating.
DOWNLOAD: "Run to Roll on Home," "Spring Is Here," "Wrong Kind of Man" LEE ZIMMERMAN
