WHERE YOU GO

I came across Cary Grace about 2 years ago after hearing one of her tracks on a Live365 prog station. I was immediately impressed with the dreamy, laid back feel of the track (it was Real Life , now one of my favourites) so sought out more of her music. I was able to get a download of "Where you go" and since then I've picked up the actual CD from her website, which is a beautifully produced package, well worth the extra. I loved the detail of the CD cover which looks like a miniature old-fashioned vinyl disk. The track listing is even split into two "sides" called "This Side" and "The Other Side".

Back to the music: Real Life: a very laid back song, with a steel-guitar-like lead guitar which gives the track a bluesy feel. After a spacey guitar-led intro, Cary's vocals wash over the music, with a velvet caress that sends a chill down the spine - "I am the infinite blue sky...". I get the shivers when she goes into the "This must be real life..." section. My second favourite track on the album.

Bellerophon: with a backwards intro and a joyous guitar riff, Cary starts singing about the Greek Hero who captured the winged horse Pegasus. Lots of interweaving keyboards keeps this track interesting and makes it another favourite.

Must be Voodoo: Cary voice in this track switches from sultry purr to a strident lead vocal for the chorus, with some bluesy guitar work in the middle section.

Electric Light: Another very laid back track, with some very psychadelic lyrics and a lead guitar that makes me think of David Gilmore.

Heavy Gold: So laid back I'm almost horizontal now! Soulful drums are one of the main features along with intricate vocals and a superb slide guitar, with a saxophone appearing quite suddenly in the middle to perform a solo, followed by more slide guitar and Cary's superb voice.

Pandora: released as a single with a cover version of Cream's Tales of Great Ulysses. This is probably one of her most "commercial" tracks, with a pacier feel and more conventional structure and arrangement. That is not to say it isn't enjoyable, it just isn't as stand out as other tracks on the album.

Flowers of Stone: We switch back to a slower track again with Cary's distinctive vocal purr.

Marionette: Nice enough song, but doesn't really do anything for me. Nothing wrong with it, I just don't connect with it. Some interesting lyrics however.

Summer: Finally, the best track on the album and my favourite CG track so far. Opening with Distant bird song and some reberv heavy bells that can make your teeth rattle when listening through headphones, the song opens out with some very Dave Gilmore like guitar and a bass-line that will loosen the fillings in your teeth! When the vocals arrive, you just sit back and let it all wash over you. I haven't felt like this listening to any new music in years! I get the shivers every time I listen to this track.

Overall, a wonderful new discovery and I've since acquired most of her other albums directly from her website. Highly recommended! 4.5 stars!

This is my first review in ProgArchives and I don't think I could choose a better album to be my first!