Naked To The World
"Imagine what the Beatles would have sounded like if they played acoustic instruments, lost their accents and had a violin/viola player as part of the band.
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This Los-Angeles-based sextet got its start as a duo in the first part of 1993, when singer-songwriter Kevin Fisher, who had been performing solo around LA was approached by a classically trained woman violinist named Daryl who uses only the initial of her surname, "S."
Fisher works as a staff songwriter for a Nashville publishing company. Interestingly, he grew up listening to Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, and played in several very electric bands before deciding that acoustic instrumentation allowed the listener to appreciate the song better. A fondness for poetry and a college degree in literature also came to bear on his path to being a songwriter.
Daryl S. began her violin studies at age four, and went on to the San Francisco Conservatory and a degree in viola from University of Colorado at Boulder. She also studied jazz with members of the Turtle Island String Quartet, and has worked with the Santa Monica Traditional Folk Music Society. Three years ago, after hearing Fisher in performances, she proffered her services, and they decided to make a band out of it. They added guitarist and mandolinist David James, a long-time friend of Fisher's and whose first instrument was also violin; percussionist Jeff Gross; who was followed by Texas-native bassist Darby Orr, after much discussion of whether to use an electric or acoustic bass. Orr plays the electric variety. Rounding out the current personnel is drummer David Casanova, who was at one time a member of the group Dakota.
In keeping with Kevin Fisher's philosophy, the songs are central to Naked to the World's music. Fisher is, in many ways, a classic folkie -- writing literate, poetic, often introspective lyrics, usually about various facets of love -- the happy and the sorrowful. But he also is fond of a memorable melody, and has obviously listened to the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel in his life. With several of this album's songs in waltz time, sometimes with sad, almost poignant melodies, there are distinct echoes of traditional folk. The mostly acoustic instrumentation with fiddle and mandolin, underscores that association. Fisher does all the lead vocals in a rather nondescript but pleasant and expressive voice. The combination of the exceptionally fine songs and the tasteful instrumental arrangements makes this an instantly likable album for those who appreciate good songwriting.
Pilgrim's Kiss is a downright superb album that combines world-class songwriting with a very tasteful acoustic instrumental setting. Kevin Fisher's songs run from the sad to the humorous, while maintaining a melodic sense that is rare even among the best folkies. Violinist Daryl S. adds much to the group's sound with her mixture of classical and folk influences, while David James' assortment of mandolins and other string instruments further enhances the general folkiness of the proceedings.
Merrick, NY
USA
ID
97
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Comments (33)
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Great work...Real nice work... keep it up... If you get a chance, I just added an entire CD with 13 songs for Free Download.
Great work...Real nice work... keep it up... If you get a chance, I just added an entire CD with 13 songs for Free Download.
Great work...Real nice work... keep it up... If you get a chance, I just added an entire CD with 13 songs for Free Download.
