Amy Fabry
Cultivated Pearl
self-released
Vocalist and pianist Amy Fabry debuts with an album of classic singer/songwriter piano pop delivered with a unique touch and a cool and casual approach. It’s impossible not to mention Tapestry-era Carole King, but only to remind you of the full-sounding simplicity of those songs, and of King’s generously laid back vocals. Cultural Pearl may not touch that landmark release, but signifies a new voice that should have most people sitting up and paying extra attention.
This is just an album of very good songs, really, that have been beautifully arranged and lovingly produced. The 1970s influences are clearly detectable, but Fabry does her thing with warm elegance and personality, and never in such a way as to overshadow her own voice. Sure, there are some weaker moments on here, and the two or three songs that uses programmed effects suffer because of it – the sound is too cheap and blatant on such an album. But at its finest, Cultivated Pearl is an album of absolutely irresistible songs that transcend time and space and marks Fabry out as a voice to be reckoned with. I for one can’t wait to hear more from her.
Amy Fabry: http://amyfabry.iuma.com
