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August 14, 2008 |
December 10, 2007 |
"Sexy, Spiritual and Bluesy Songs Full of Metaphors and Sung with Grace and Passion" |
Jennie Avila "Naked in the Rain," 2005 Jennie Avila, one third of the folk trio Hot Soup, establishes the musical and thematic center of "Naked in the Rain" with its opening cut. Avila unabashedly appeals to the senses. She locks you in with rhythm (with percussion often played on esoteric instruments like the snake-like kokorikko), a sweet voice with emotional range that can really bite, and sensual lyrics ("I took the shirt you wore out of the laundry / And I put it on so I could smell you on me"). She's composes Tin Pan Alley-like standards ("Oblivious Moon"), blues tunes that Bonnie Raitt could and should cover ("Too Good for You," "Love Love the Chase"), pop ("Naked in the Rain"), and anthemic folk ("A Thousand Chances"). Ably assisted by some of Philadelphia's best (including members of Full Frontal Folk and Rolly Brown, a fingerpicking champion), Avila has crafted a sexy, musical, even daring record, and a songwriting tour-de-force. © David Kleiner |
