by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer
Album: "Slip Tease"
Year produced: 2007

Mmmmm. I like Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer. This newer CD, "Slip Tease," is a little different than the last, "Scatter Pipes," but that isn't a bad thing. The same ease slips through the songs and the calming effect of the music remains. Lovely vocal sounds and gentle harmonies, simple arrangements and confident playing--these are the things that form the backbone of this CD.

This is not, however, an average CD. There are some elements here that are unexpected--namely the small pipes, which have their own distinct sound. Again, Dyer's guitar pairs perfectly with other instruments on the CD, lending a thread that pulls the sounds of the album together quite nicely.

These two musicians don't rely on crazy antics or complicated arrangements to make their songs shine. Not needed. Pure, simple tunes, put forth by two musicians that offer something outside the bounds of other bands make this a stellar effort. Just when you least expect it, a new instrument will pop into a song, or a harmony will lend a hand, carrying things to a new level. Each new CD shows growth in these already fine musicians. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at www.catherineltully.com.

Labels: cd_review_2008

Posted by Marc Gunn, Tuesday, June 17, 2008.
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