Melissa Carper (from the album Borned in Ya

Melissa Carper (from the album Borned in Ya

Melissa Carper (from the album Borned in Ya available on Mae Music/Thirty Tigers) (by Brian Rock)
Melissa Carper continues to blur the lines between Country and Jazz as well as between past and present on her latest solo album, Borned in Ya. The captivating chanteuse who has been dubbed, ‘Hillbillie Holiday’ by Chris Scruggs finds herself channeling more of her Billie Holiday side, and less of her hillbilly side, on this release. Blending the Jazz stylings of The Great American Songbook from the 20s through the 50s, Carper pays tribute to legends from Nat King Cole to Dinah Shore, from Gene Autry to Elvis Presley. Though influenced by legends, all but two of the songs are original compositions by Melissa Carper. And, of course, her distinctive, iconic voice indelibly stamps each song with her unique sonic signet. Equal parts Cracker Barrel and Ritz-Carlton, Carper has the amazing ability to simultaneously convey an ambiance of rustic, hand carved wood and elegant, polished marble.
The title song captures the feel of Elvis’ From Elvis in Memphis album. Recreating the Soul/Country fusion of that seminal album, Carper adds a dash of Gospel to testify to the power of music. Melissa Carper was inspired by Ralph Stanley’s quote about old time mountain music: ‘I don’t think you can get this sound unless it’s borned in ya’. But departing from Stanley’s strict hereditary definition of authentic musical ability, Carper sees musical authenticity as being born from the seeds of continuously listening to, and playing the songs of, those who came before. Accompanied by piano and Gospel background singers, Carper sings ‘you gotta listen to Hank Williams ‘til it’s borned in ya. You gotta listen to Leadbelly till it’s borned in ya’. Memphis horns and guitars add punch and power to Carper’s hymn to the heroes of our American musical past.
Melissa Carper reveals her playful side on the 1920’s Jazz stylings of “Your Furniture’s Too Nice”. Whistling her way through a superbly syncopated Jazz melody, she sings ‘it’s too new, it’s too stiff. There ain’t nothing good to sniff. Your furniture’s too nice for me and my doggy’. “Let’s Get Outta Here” recalls Dinah Shore’s romantic standards, with an added touch of Hawaiian slide guitar. “Lucky Five” has the easy-going charm of a swinging Dean Martin lounge song. “Evil Eva” captures the early Rock/Blues fusion of Fats Domino as Melissa Carper pays homage to her Country roots in the Gene Autry inspired “Somewhere Between Texas and Tennessee”.
Turning to ballads, Melissa Carper turns on the tears on the Billie Holiday inspired “I Don’t Love you Anymore”. She adds her distinctive touch to Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye” and Frankie Laine’s chestnut, “That’s My Desire”. “Waxing and Waning” captures the feel of a somber Doris Day. Adding a lush orchestral backdrop, Carper shines on the beautiful, Nat King Cole inspired “There’ll Be Another One”. Simultaneously offering words of comfort and acknowledging the emptiness of those words, Carper brilliantly captures that moment between heartache and hope. The gossamer string section has the emotional resonance of those tear-jerking scores from Hollywood’s golden age. Delicate, yet powerful, playful, yet somber, elegant, yet earthy; Melissa Carper is a one-of-a-kind vocal talent. Every note she sings is a delicacy to be savored. (by Brian Rock)
Listen and buy the music of Melissa Carper from AMAZON
For more information, please visit the Melissa Carper website