Annie Moscow – Land of Dreams
Another fine vocalist with style, originality, humor & intriguing material. Phoenix-based Annie Moscow’s 6th CD with a facility to it all. Her voice is perfectly suited to this cache. Doing something like Land of Dreams challenges the artist, it tests their diversity & in the case of Ms. Moscow produces bracingly smart music.
When she states that she’s stepped into every pothole imaginable I know what she means & that’s separating the salt from the water. What’s exhilarating through these songs is a strange bedfellow – she makes them sound like Broadway songs with fascinating music production. The showcasing provided has a dynamic & it all comes with taste. The 10 dreams on this Elysian trip were produced by John Herrera & Annie Moscow for Land of Dreams (Drops Feb. 2–11 Blocks Records/44:00).
The “Girl Behind the Trees,” is like a brisk cool wind on a humid day. She performs her songs beyond mere singing. Annie (piano/lead vocals & bgv) also said that she nurses her bruises, dusts herself off & moves on. An LP based on that recipe is certainly going to be an optimistic ride. It isn’t all easygoing, better days coming, or rolling with the punches – she deals with things. She offers a lesson to those who have the blues, are melancholy, have no answers & think the walls are closing in. Each song is beautifully rendered.
The lyric insert has a detailed explanation of each lyric. Life is indeed an amazing teacher when you pay attention – Annie Moscow is an amazing teacher through her narrative. She’s mining a vein, not many singer-songwriters explore. She’s excavating an entire mountain of challenges. I was in Arizona this past October & I didn’t see musicians as distinguished as these. These are impeccable performers & Arizona has a great musical environment.
Annie gets personal, confessional, observant & impressionistic & does it with a strong will with clarity throughout. Annie says there are many things you think will go on forever, but they don’t. Singing & recording since 2001 Annie isn’t afraid of untouched subjects, midlife issues, awakenings, being disillusioned & living with dysfunction.
There are hints of Dory Previn who also touched upon touchy issues as Toni Childs & Suzanne Vega did. In “Middle Child,” the wonderful song style is sung in the beautified melancholy artistry of the Blue Nile. Driven by grand piano grandiose it brings the dynamic to a dramatic form.
Beautiful CD packaging & lyric insert. Thumbs up.
Highlights – “Sitting Here In Numbers,” “Girl Behind the Trees,” “Damaged Angel,” “Why Do,” “Middle Child,” the terrific “Who Will I Be Good For Now” & “Open Dream.”
Musicians – David Landau (cello/bgv), Daniel Landau (guitar/bgv), Kenny Skaggs (guitar/slide guitar), Dom Moio & John Herrera (percussion), Thano Sahnas (bouzouki), Suzanne Lansford (violin), Rachael Nicole Gold (piano) & Felix Sainz (bass).
Cover image by Carrie Motzing. CD @ https://anniemoscow.com/home
Song premiere: Song Premiere: Annie Moscow “Gypsy Dancer”