Cover Girls, Vol. 11

A superstar in her native, The Netherlands, Anouk teamed up with K’s Choice vocalist Sarah Bettens, for their awesome rendition of Live’s ‘I Alone.’ Performed acoustically, the duo’s voices compliment each other extremely well and prove that loud guitars aren’t needed for a song to make its impact.

Although recorded for the Dutch music program, 2 Meter Sessions in 1999, it was officially released by Anouk on 2001’s Lost Tracks.


After making a significant impression with her debut, Between The 1 And The 9, New York-based singer-songwriter-artist Patti Rothberg resurfaced with her sophomore album, Candleabra Cadabra, a couple of years later.

An equally impressive record (and in some ways, more so), it’s notable cover song came in the form of a rocking rendition of David Bowie’s ‘Moonage Daydream.’


A truly unique artist who has re-mapped the boundaries of Arabic music, Natacha Atlas has already established herself as a performer of remarkable talent.

On ‘Mon Amie La Rose,’ a song made famous by French performer, Francoise Hardy, Atlas contributes her incredible blend of hypnotic Middle Eastern flair and a steady dose of electronica to create a beautiful song that needs no translation in order to wholly enjoy.

Found originally on Atlas’ 1999 album, Gedida.


With her second appearance in Womenfolk’s Cover Girl series (she was previously mentioned here), Bermuda-born Heather Nova boldly takes on Chris Isaak’s signature song, ‘Wicked Game,’ and pulls it off rather well.

While Nova doesn’t necessarily give the song her own creative twist, her siren-like vocals are perfect for the breezy classic. The track can be found on Nova’s recently released Redbird.


Downloads:

Anouk feat. Sarah Bettens - I Alone
Patti Rothberg - Moonage Daydream
Natacha Atlas - Mon Amie La Rose
Heather Nova - Wicked Game

Tones Of No Remorse

The music of Rachel Ries (rhymes with ‘peace’) possesses what some refer to as a ‘vintage-sounding folk’. While this is hardly a definitive description, perhaps it is one that fits best.

Classically trained in violin, viola, voice, and piano (and self-taught on guitar), Ries uses her pleasingly sweet voice, poetic lyrics and acoustic arsenal to create some of the most instantly likeable songs - all of them possessing a near-inexplicable timeless quality.

Recalling the legendary sounds of artists like Billie Holiday, Ries’ second full-length album, For You Only features a treasure trove of songs one can imagine listening to on the sweetest of summer afternoons. It captures Ries’ significant skill as both a songwriter and a musician with melodies that will leave you humming throughout the evening.

Most commonly compared to artists like folkster Dar Williams, Ries’ songs are much more intimate and less fussy. To my ears, if she should be compared to anyone, it would be Jill Barber (which isn’t a bad thing).

When you go away and say we’ll return some other way
But until then I must stay and sing and meet you at the shores
We used to fill with silver stones and bones and tones of no remorse
And build our castles with their lonely spires high.
                            – Rachel Ries

For You Only will be released on Waterbug Records on August 23 and is available there and at CD Baby. For more information on Rachel Ries and her music, please visit her official web site.

Downloads:

You Only
Sad Saturday
Luckiest One
Lonely Spires

WWW:
Rachel Ries - official site

Note:
A special thank-you to Rachel Ries for song files and Craig Bonnell of Songs:Illinois for referring Ms. Ries to me.

It’s All Good

Several years ago, I received an e-mail from Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jolynn Daniel asking me if I would be willing to listen to her debut EP, Suspended. And being that I’ve never been one to turn away a chance to hear something new, I graciously accepted.

Days later, Daniel’s EP arrived and I found myself immediately taken by the album’s six songs.

And so did many other people, as Daniel’s music was eventually picked up on radio stations nationwide and earned her spots on tours with REO Speedwagon, Joan Osborne and Widespread Panic, among others.

After taking a risky move to New York City in the early 90’s and performing the local club scene, Daniel eventually met musician/songwriter Jansen Press and the two immediately formed a bond. The pair then traveled to Florida to begin work on the songs that would eventually become Suspended.

Released in 1994 on their label, Rebel Sky Music, Suspended is Daniel’s first official recording, offering up six heartfelt tunes of love, pain, and hope, served in a classic rock/pop meets country/folk vibe that fits nicely between the works of artists like Shawn Colvin and Lucinda Williams and yet still manages to not become lost in the shuffle.

After the success of Suspended, Daniel relocated to Nashville and began to work on her full-length album. In 1997, Cosmic Daughter was born.

Featuring twelve brand new tracks including a cover of Neil Young’s ‘I Believe In You’ (of whom Daniel is a long-time fan of), Cosmic Daughter allowed a clearer definition of Daniel’s style as both a singer and a writer and featured some standout tracks (’Ride On,’ ‘Sunday Junkies,’ ‘No Friend’).

There must be a heaven if we live through this hell
Where someone will listen to the stories we tell
But I’ve got a reason I fight to survive
It’s some wicked season for being alive
                            – Jolynn Daniel

It took half a decade, but on her sophomore album, Come Closer, Daniel continues to sharpen her songwriting skills, delivering a stronger, even more mature collection of music.

Time spent in the music scene and in-between albums had obviously strengthened not only Daniel’s writing, but her friendships as well, as several notable musicians (Kami Lyle and Ken Coomer among others) help bring Come Closer to become Daniel’s best album to date. From which, ‘It’s All Good’ is featured, in all its foot-tapping, feel-good glory.

Daniel continues to write and record music and is working on an as-yet untitled third album. She’s also touring regularly. Her official website is your best source for current happenings; it’s news often posted by Daniel herself.

iTunes also features her two full-length albums for download.


Downloads:

Some Wicked Season
No Friend
Ride On
It’s All Good

WWW:
Jolynn Daniel - official site

This Woman’s Work: Elisa Korenne

Elisa Korenne is a New York-based singer-songwriter whose smooth voice and infectious songs seem to walk the line between folk, rock and dashes of country - yet she blends them so seamlessly that true defining is made near impossible.

On Favorite, Korenne’s debut album, she showcases her knack for writing great songs with lyrics that tell a story and melodies that resonate long after they’ve played.

Womenfolk is proud to introduce the third in its This Woman’s Work series with the inclusion of Elisa Korenne.