It’s been a couple of years since we’ve mentioned Ali Marcus. Since then, the young songwriter from Seattle has been busy writing, recording and performing shows across the nation.
Marcus’ newest album, The Great Migration, is not due out until March, but I couldn’t hold off writing about how much I’ve thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.
Previous works by the songwriter have been delivered with the intimacy of a singer with only her guitar singing her sweetly personal songs. But on The Great Migration, Marcus receives the benefit of the full backing band – one consisting of a banjo, percussion, harmonica, confident guitar and sturdy bass. Having this type of support not only packs these new batch of songs with depth and energy, but they also seem to bolster Marcus’ own confidence – she sounds completely comfortable with this new approach and it sounds good on her.
According to Marcus’ own web site, the songs that make up the new album were selected based on many of her performances last year. These were the songs that her audiences seemed to respond best to. And understandably so.
Fitting nice and snug in-between folk and country, these new songs focus on a myriad of topics. Standouts like the album’s opener, “Virginia Road,” uses a stretch of road and it’s surrounding trees as a metaphor for one’s lot in life and what one does with what’s been given to them. On the quiet, but bittersweet “Hey John,” Marcus sings to a fellow songwriter and laments their only encounter, but reminisces about their mutual distaste for Nashville and other similarities. But Marcus is perhaps at her best when heard on “Wapato,” a peppy sing-a-long packed with country hall swing.
Appropriately titled, The Great Migration amplifies Marcus’ talent as a continually burgeoning, confident songwriter.
A special offer is currently being made available for two of her previous albums, Miles and Miles and Miles and The Other Side, where if you purchase one, you get the second completely free. E-mail her for more information.
Ali Marcus is currently touring the west coast. Please be sure to check out her official site for upcoming dates and venues.
Ali Marcus – Hangin’ On A Wire
Purchase
Official Site | CD Baby | iTunes
One Comment
Can’t wait to hear the whole album! Of course, I’m sure you’ll play a couple of those songs at our show this weekend ; )