Leslie Evers – Bound for Land
This set is Leslie’s 2nd CD & explores the more simplistic & attractive folkiness of early singer-songwriters. There isn’t much wordiness in the lyrics & they’re designed to easily grasp. Some who embrace the more intense deliberation of a Ferron or Madeliene Peyroux will find these a little facile. Yet, what they miss with that opinion is the fragility, joyous guitar display, satiny textured vocal of Leslie Evers. They also miss her meticulous song structure.
“Someday When I’m Losing You,” is superb. Not every song needs to possess a wealth of lyrical meaning to require a pompous shakedown. This song is so well written it could qualify eventually as a potential standard in any singer’s songbook.
Leslie (lead/harmony vocals/guitar) delves into a wonderous country upbeat tempo with “What Kind of a Heart,” & though she doesn’t sing with any twang her sincerity shines. This tune is old-fashioned in its tradition, but it has a suave appeal. There are 11 shining examples of traditional pop to Bound for Land (Drops Feb 2–Cumulus Records/38:00). Produced by Ed Johnson with the majority of the tunes being originals the majority were recorded in NYC & Brooklyn. They have a clear metro-urgency, a supper club cabaret tinge. The tracks are all well-recorded with excellent production.
Though I like Leslie’s voice I don’t think she’s quite ready for easy listening, middle-of-the-road lounge-type songs. Her voice doesn’t have the Kahlua liqueur flavor required to be a piano bar chanteuse. Folk yes, country sure & balladry. But the inherent qualities of a fine vintage MOR voice may surface with some seasoning if she chooses that route.
This showcase’s worthiness is in the simplicity of the songs. All are relatively imbued with catchiness in their spare instrumentation. At times, Leslie’s voice possesses a lushly early typical 60s perspective. But it’s always attractive. Especially on “When You’ve Got It,” which could’ve been sung by Billie Holiday.
While the melodies are finely crafted, Ms. Evers would shine brighter with a more coherent creative lyrical swipe next time around. Create an atmosphere definitive of Ms. Evers’s tone. These are good but need an Oscar Hammerstein-Hoagy Carmichael-Mary Chapin Carpenter-Carrie Newcomer cleverness to enliven potency. The quality is there it just needs to blossom with a pinch somewhere to better distinguish Ms. Evers’ superb vocals.
The jewel among all the baubles, bangles & beads is “Slow,” where Leslie sparkles. This is perfectly suited to her voice, style & vocalese.
Highlights – “Someday When I’m Losing You,” “What Kind of a Heart,” “Slow” & “Along the Rocky Way.”
Musicians – Ed Johnson (rhythm/electric guitars/vocal & harmony vocals/production), Rick Ruskin (lead guitar/drums), Woody Mann (guitar), John R. Burr (organ/piano), Rene Worst & Missy Raines (bass), Jason Lewis (drums), Michaelle Goerlitz (congas), Joe Newberry (vocal/banjo), John Reischman (mandolin) & Will Galison (chromatic harmonica). The associate producer of this project was Cliff Eberhardt.
Cover image by Irene Young & portrait from Facebook. CD @ https://leslieevers.com/
Song premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2023/10/09/song-premiere-leslie-evers-what-kind-of-a-heart/