Reviews
Artist:Sally Barris
Album:Restless Soul
Label:Wrensong Publishing
Tracks:11
Website:http://www.sallybarris.com/index.php
Wow! 2007 has really been a great year for Sally Barris. Not only did Let The Wind Chase You", a new song from the pens of Sally Barris and Karyn Rochelle (of 'Jasper County' fame) appear on the new Trisha Yearwood CD: Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love. but she also released her brand new and long anticipated new album, 'Restless Soul.' Over the past few years Sally has had cuts by such artsists as Kathy Mattea, LeeAnn Womack, Martina McBride and Jessi Alexander. She has often drawn comparisons to some of the greats; Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krauss, and Mindy Smith, yet her previous albums, 'Little Voice' and 'Reluctant Daughter' just seemed to fall short of earning her the recognition she deserves as a solo artist. However, this could be about to change with 'Restless Soul.'
The recording is perfect in quality; crisp, clear vocals and guitar, which slip into your subconscious like honey, and the contents her most eclectic yet by far.
Sally describes the title song as the most personal song on the CD; the story of her life, told through a variety of beautifully crafted metaphors.
'Being Gone' and 'Are you a Real Cowboy' were co -writes with Liz Rose. Having been to Texas twice, there is certainly a lot of truth in the lyrics of the latter 'I won't always wait' is about a girl who finally showed her man she wouldn't wait around forever, and 'Sweet Companion' is a bluegrass influenced tune, a co-write with Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander. 'The Path' was inspired by a painting in her home which was bought in London, and 'Drive Home' is about that feeling of missing home and it's people - in Sally's Case, those back North in Minnesota. We've all experienced those feelings at some time or another, regardless of where we call home.
'Huntington River,' which Sally performed on her last UK tour, is perhaps for me the standout track of the album; true story based on a rescue worker who lost his life in Huntington Gorge in Vermont. Sally says "It is an amazingly beautiful place. I am always intrigued by how beauty and tragedy can exist simultaneously." They certainly do in the lyrics of this haunting song. There are other contributions; lyrical or musical from Cory Mayo, Stuart Duncan, Mark Sanders, and Michael Kelsh; testament to the esteem in which Ms Barris is held in Nashville by her peers.
Suffice it to say I believe this is Sally Barris' breakthrough album, which will cease the comparisons with the greats, and instead put her up there in her rightful place with them.
Helen Mitchell