This Woman’s Work: Victoria George

So you say you don’t like Country?

With the boundaries that seem to define the genre constantly changing, it’s no surprise that the word ‘Alternative Country’ has become such a common label to define what isn’t considered old-fashioned.

Victoria George fits nicely into this new breed of music. With her newly released debut EP, Far As I’m Concerned, the California based singer-songwriter is making a jaw-dropping entry into the world of music.

Womenfolk is proud to introduce the second in its This Woman’s Work series by featuring Ms George and her unique fusion of rock meets country.

So to those who dismiss anything that is described as ‘Country,’ you’re in for a nice surprise… Victoria George will probably change your mind.

Inbetween Projects

Texas-born Shea Seger was originally intending on a career in theatre, but gravitated toward songwriting in her late teens.

After a move to London, Seger partnered up with Nick Whitecross and started writing would become her debut album, The May Street Project.

Enlisting the talents of Pharrel Williams of the Neptunes, Ron Sexsmith (with whom she duets on ‘Always’) and even Lauryn Hill (who is peculiarly credited under the pseuodonym Commissioner Gordon) as the album’s mixer, May Street saw release in October of 2000 when Seger was only twenty years old (it was released in America the following year).

The May Street Project is one of those rare records where every single song is top-notch. There is virtually something for everybody here: hip-hop, rap, rock, blues, folk; Seger nails just about every genre she’s up against. And her voice is remarkably mature and comfortable on these songs. Sometimes, subtle similarities to artists like Shelby Lynne or Sheryl Crow are very evident.

The May Street Project never made much of an impact with the general public, however. I’m speculating that this was partly due to ill promotion (there are definitely some airwave-worthy tracks to be found here). But perhaps the album is a bit too scattered in helping to define Seger’s true genre. Seger’s collaborators may also hold too strong of a presence here to allow The May Street Project to truly demonstrate who Seger is in the vast music world.

Nevertheless, The May Street Project is an album worthy of discovery.

There’s a giant step between love and understanding
And baby, I think you stopped at love
Sooner or later, you’re gonna have to take me as I am
Learn to hear these sounds and try to understand.
                            – Shea Seger

Featured below are two original cuts off of The May Street Project: ‘Last Time’, with it’s 70’s inspired disco-pop and the highly recommended ‘I Love You Too Much.’ Also featured is a live/acoustic performance of ‘Shatterwall’ recorded at KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic in June of 2001 as well as a remix of Seger’s second single, ‘Clutch’ arranged by the Neptunes.

To date, The May Street Project remains Seger’s only album available.


Downloads:

Last Time
I Love You Too Much
Shatterwall (acoustic)
Clutch (The Neptunes Mix)

WWW:
Shea Seger - a nice, but seemingly outdated fan site

Thespianage

Even if her name isn’t immediately recognizable, her face surely is. Kathleen Wilhoite has been able to succeed at both an acting career and a musical one, although the former has garnered her stronger fame than the latter (Wilhoite has appeared in such films as Lorenzo’s Oil, Road House, Nurse Betty as well as shows like ER, Mad About You and 24 among others). Still, Wilhoite’s talent in songwriting wasn’t a newfound discovery; she had been writing music years before making a name for herself as an actress, performing shows and recording in-between film shoots.

Wilhoite’s debut album, Pitch Like A Girl, is about as good as a debut album can be. Released by V2 in 1997, the album features twelve amazingly well-written songs and Wilhoite’s smooth, husky voice and incredible songwriting.

Wilhoite’s sound is a nice blend of country-tinged rock. The kind of music that paints a scene of a warm, summer evening sitting on the lawn chair after an afternoon’s work on the ranch or driving in a beat-up truck with the windows rolled down on a two-lane road. Simply put, this is feel good music.

‘No One Can Touch Me’ is a definite highlight off of Pitch Like A Girl, beginning with a fade-in of guitar strumming and steady percussion. Actress Maggie Wheeler (the Fran Drescher-esque Janice on Friends and Wilhoite’s close friend) provides backing vocals.

‘Whatever It Takes’ is the album’s breezy opener, but also noteworthy is ‘Stop Yelling,’ a track at which a then lesser-known Nikka Costa contributes backing vocals.

If she kicks and screams she’s lived too long,
it’s the evil spirits that made her strong.
                            – Kathleen Wilhoite

Independently released, Wilhoite’s sophomore record, Shiva, arrived in 2000 and continues where Pitch Like A Girl left off.

‘Witches’ Hill’ possesses a nice, big-band feel, enlisting horns and a strong chorus, following a formula that is a sure win for fans of old-fashioned rock, whereas ‘You Move Me’ is Wilhoite’s softer side and is delivered in a very Bonnie Raitt a la ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ fashion.

Since the release of Shiva,’ Wilhoite has been focusing more on her acting career it seems, receiving regular roles in many notable films and sitcoms. She’s most recently been seen in Charmed and as Luke’s sister, Liz, on the highly recommended Gilmore Girls.

Kathleen Wilhoite is a terrific actress, rest assured, but she’s also a spectacular musician. Let’s hope she doesn’t put that guitar away anytime soon.


Downloads:

No One Can Touch Me
Whatever It Takes
Witches’ Hill
You Move Me

WWW:
Kathleen Wilhoite (official site)
Kathleen Wilhoite (Internet Movie Database)

One Year Down

So much to mention here and yet I don’t know where to start.

I suppose that first I should mention that as of June 7th, Womenfolk has been online for exactly one year. In fact this entry was supposed to be published on that day, but preparations for it took longer than expected.

Nevertheless, I want to thank everyone who has visited in the past and to those who continue to visit on a regular basis. I know I don’t post every day, or even every other day, but when I do post, I make every effort to make it a quality one.

Womenfolk is a one-man project; a lot of my personal time has been poured into this site and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Comments from readers and even some of the artists we’ve featured prove to me that this was all worthwhile.

Hi… I wanted to say thank you for putting me on your very cool website. Your site is beautiful and I’m flattered that you chose my new album to be one of your ‘recommended’. Thank you!

                            – Amy Correia

Thanks for including me on your site. It really makes me feel good when anyone remembers what I used to do, and I’m flattered to be included alongside the other great artists you list. So thanks!

                            – Jen Trynin

I just wanted to say thanks for featuring [our] tracks on Womenfolk - it lead to us having a top ten hit in Serbia! We’re just back from touring there which was an amazing experience. Just goes to show how the internet can democratize and make a difference to the industry.

                            – Louise Quinn of the band Quinn

Womenfolk’s new feature for independent female songwriters, ‘This Woman’s Work,’ has kicked into gear with its first artist: Claudia Russell. Russell is a tremendous talent with a timeless voice and I’m honored to feature her music.

I strongly urge everyone to educate themselves on Ms. Russell by clicking on the graphic on the navigation bar.

More artist spotlights are in the works for This Woman’s Work, so keep checking back to see what’s changed.


Finally, to celebrate our birthday and to say thank-you to the many visitors who have supported us, I have created a ‘year in review’ compilation highlighting just some of the music we have featured.


Tracklisting/Downloads:

01. Jill Tracy - Evil Night Together
02. Sam Phillips - How To Quit (live)
03. Laura Burhenn - Memory
04. Holly Palmer - Down So Low
05. Ebba Forsberg - Didn’t Treat Me Right
06. Lisa Germano - Dreamland
07. New Buffalo - I’ve Got You And You’ve Got Me (Song Of Contentment)
08. Regina Lund - We Don’t Need Another Hero
09. Joan Jones - U Were There
10. Amy Correia - Lakeville
11. Jill Barber - Measures And Scales
12. Quinn - Rising Star
13. Marti Jones - Put Me On Top
14. Jen Trynin - Mourning Glory Story
15. Alison Breitman - Again
16. Feist - It’s Cool To Love Your Family
17. Mirah - We’re Both So Sorry
18. Lauren Hoffman - Fall Away
19. Angie Mattson - Cold Soul
20. Jill Sobule - Survivor (live)

Album artwork is also available for those interested. Simply click on the link to view the images and download. (note: images are large in size and in high-resolution)

Front Cover

Back Cover