Abby Posner – Kisbee Ring
A working multi-instrumentalist/producer in L.A. for the past 17 years, Ms. Posner pushes the musical boundaries. Set aside her varied musical responsibilities to pay the rent she has crafted an intriguing album. Interesting songs, light-hearted in approach but with intense well-played articulate tunes.
The 10-cuts are far from a hodge-podge of folky female vocals with something to get off her chest. Abby understands the craft & captivates through her concise vocals, with clarity & emotion. Words are chosen carefully, acoustic & banjo notes plucked with razzle-dazzle but no showboating. She turns out one lovely melody after another & with lyrical ingenuity.
Kisbee Ring (Drops Nov 12–Independent) simply delivers a pleasing showcase that often uplifts (“Emergency Use Only”). Her PR states Ms. Posner had opened for many including folk singer Phranc (that was an appropriate pairing). Phranc has a stunning voice & having Abby open would be ideal.
There’s nothing bombastic in Abby’s presentation – it seems all about melody & clever lyrical lines as demonstrated in “Joshua Tree,” supported by a good banjo & guest vocalist Mary Scholz. No two songs are similar, yet all fit the song puzzle board that makes this a well-paced CD.
With “The Trilogy,” Abby seems comfortable performing in a Melanie Safka (“Lay Down Candles In the Rain,” “Look What They’ve Done To My Song, Ma”) type style. Her voice on this is not commercial but soaked in black tea with a dash of whiskey.
Then Abby’s vocal tone changes. On “Fall Apart,” she has a more shimmering presence. A nice haunting & captivating little melody. “Blind Spots,” with superior mandolin chimes throughout in a John Hiatt tradition. Superb. A message song, but Abby doesn’t go for the jugular through her performance as Joan Baez or the late Phil Ochs might. And it’s this quality that allows Abby to be attractive & listenable even to ears that may not agree entirely with her topic. This is a wonderful folk song with sensitivity. So long as Abby doesn’t pontificate harshly she’ll remain relevant.
“Wishing Well,” is the most mainstream & accessible for a casual listener. Ross Newhouse guest vocals, with M’Gilvry Allen on fiddle. Catchy melody, wonderful vocals & arrangement. The live version is included here with Luci.
With a slow beat, a piano, the next tune simmers nicely. “Is It Wrong,” listeners can hear the possibilities of Abby sliding over eventually into a jazzier spotlight. The song is warm, the intonation intimate, the pacing relaxed. I love it. A good lyric, something different from mainstream candy-coated material.
I found everything a delight. Abby hopefully is here to stay. Besides, she’s got an original look that works distinctly with the music she projects. All songs: Ms. Posner. The 33-minute CD: available @ https://www.abbyposner.com/