Teresa Storch Band – Open Your Heart
What I enjoy about Terea’s Storch approach to her bluesy & at times funky showcase is her capturing a 60s & early 70s aesthetic. Now, despite that statement, there’s little that’s retro about her music. She does lay down a fresh blues posture, but her voice has elements of the energy & joy of the music that isn’t something that can be taught. It comes with performing, playing & performing more so the live showcase can develop the material.
“Open Your Heart,” has a generous early Delaney & Bonnie exponent & there are sprinkles of Bonnie Raitt textures & though Teresa (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars) doesn’t go down that raw Janis Joplin or Lucinda Williams path she does touch a Rory Block/Eva Cassidy savviness. But in the end, Ms. Storch has shaped her own searing vocal objective.
So many of her songs are individually crafted with blues diversification & she whips the cream of it all into a thick lather. Produced by Tony Dickinson (guitars/bgv/keys/arrangements) & the Teresa Storch Band Open Your Heart (Drops April 26/Independent/51:00) is striking with 12 relevant pieces. The songs were recorded in various locations in Colorado.
Throughout the CD the band plays with tight concise exuberance. What’s also compelling is Teresa’s vocal uniqueness. She doesn’t necessarily sound like anyone with her mix of tonalities that depend on the “climate in the song” & what comes forth is always in fine weather. Teresa always sings with clarity & controlled intonation. Nothing drags. The Peter Lacis lead guitar performs with delicious bluesy runs that are consistently melodic & never meandering.
Many tunes have nurturing melodies – “Ballad of St. Francis,” is different from “Time To Go,” yet both are formidable compositions & performances. “Time To Go,” is my personal favorite. It’s a well-performed piece. I played this 3 times while assessing this collection. There’s a poignancy, is plaintive & has depth & sophistication to the arrangement.
Teresa’s vocals are marvelous throughout & she breathes new life into Pat Benatar’s cover of Lowen & Navarro’s “We Belong,” which isn’t as showboat-oriented as Pat’s original. Teresa still sings with power, however, the song’s mainstream sugary technique doesn’t suit the bulk of this fine album. Maybe it’s here just to prove a point. Ms. Storch redeems herself with the powerful “It’s Not Okay,” which is more idealistic & based on a rape trial. Not usually the stuff of songs. Nonetheless, Ms. Storch always provides exceptional music.
Highlights – “Things Will Get Better,” “Open Your Heart,” “Feels So Good,” “Would I Burn,” “Ballad of St. Francis,” “Time To Go,” “Independence Reign” & “It’s Not Okay.”
Musicians – Chad E. Mathis (bass/bgv/piano), Travis Moberg (drums/bgv), Eli Bishop (strings/mandolin), Kevin Lufkin (organ/piano), Robbie Benson (piano), Christopher Wright (drums), Jordan Skomal (trumpet) & Chris Ruiz (sax).
Color image courtesy of Teresa’s website gallery. CD @ https://teresastorch.bandcamp.com/album/open-your-heart & https://teresastorch.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: Teresa Storch “It’s Not Okay”