Music Reviews of
Alice Di Micele's
"Alice Live"
Singer-songwriter Alice
Di Micele has won a well-deserved place in the hearts
of her many fans. Her personal, often introspective
lyrics explore the mysteries, challenges, and joys
of relationship—with oneself, with others,
with everything that is. Her songs are prayers for
balance and harmony, celebrations of the earth and
of love, expressions of pain, humor, and hope. Her
dedication to the natural world—within us as
well as outside of us—has been the driving
force behind her muse and her music.
On this, her seventh album, she finally documents the experience of a live
concert. Many of her songs, especially the environmentally-oriented ones, are
popular singalongs among her audiences. On Alice Live, several time-tested
favorites stand out: “Chinook Blues,” “The Beaver Song,” and
the beautiful “Wise Old Woman.” Selections recorded by Alice for
the first time here include four powerful originals: the humorous/bittersweet “Taste
of Revenge,” the searching, decidedly more hopeful “Faith Lives” and “The
Other Side,” and the infectious “Walk With Me.” “Throw
It Away” (written by Abbey Lincoln) and Alice’s own “Wake
Up in the Morning Blues” highlight her skills as a blues vocalist.
This album is actually a combination of two concerts: one solo show with just
Alice and her guitar, and one with acoustic bassist Rob Kohler. Banter with
the audience is generously interwoven with the songs, creating as close to
an authentic in-the-living-room concert experience as a CD could achieve. Like
Alice’s voice, both acoustic instruments are warm and rich in tone, a
pleasure to listen to. And the audience singalong voices, most prominent on “Wise
Old Woman” and “Chinook Blues,” help this CD capture much
of the spirit of one of Alice’s concerts. As she points out in the liner
notes, “there is never anything like ‘the real thing,’” but
this album is next-best for those who want to try to take the real thing home.
(Chris Roth, Talking Leaves: A Journal of Our Evolving Ecological Culture,
Spring/Summer 2000 (81868 Lost Valley Lane, Dexter, OR 97431, http://www.talkingleaves.org))
Alice Di Micele's new CD "Alice Live" puts the full
focus on voice and lyrics in stunning performances.
A mix of new and old, this is a compelling album
mixing reflective lyrics with potent blues. Alice's
voice has unique character, ranging from earthy passion
to gentle yearning. Drawing us into portraits and
stories filled with wisdom and literate images, she
transforms key phrases with soulful lilting one moment
and striking power the next.
(Richard Fox, DJ. "Crosstracks" on WCUW, Worcester, MA)
"Alice Live" reveals Alice
Di Micele's raw talents as she delivers amazing new
and old songs, the finest voice in modern folk music,
and her heartfelt and often funny stories where she's
most comfortable-- on stage. The conviction and spirituality
of her music makes her inspired concerts a moving
experience on CD.
(Mike Meyer, DJ. "Acoustic Junction" KRVM, Eugene, OR)
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