Ashtyn Barbaree – Sent Through the Ceiling
This album is filled with songs about self-discovery, resilience & the bittersweetness of life’s journeys as outlined in Ashtyn’s press release. Ms. Barbaree sings about personal experiences & focuses on narratives of love, loss & the pursuit of dreams. All basic intriguing subjects for strong songs. But in the hands of an Americana artist, those topics can often be presented in a more prosperous posture. Ashtyn cross-pollinates her music through folk, rock, pop & country.
There are 10 intense songs recorded in Arkansas & Sent Through the Ceiling (Drops Oct 25/Artists 360/Mid America Arts Alliance/35:17) & produced by Ashtyn. Opening with “Along For the Ride” which is about the tragic loss of the first love of her life in a car accident that left a lasting impact. Just being able to write a song about something like that comes from a strong creative impulse.
Ashtyn sings in a folky tone but her voice on the early tunes & “Lost In Your Eyes” is close to the musical breadth of 1960s English folk singer Mary Hopkin (“Those Were the Days” & “Goodbye”) who still performs. There’s a fairy tale quality to Ashtyn’s tone that has lots of friendliness & positivity. The swipe of the cello brings her even closer to Ms. Hopkin’s musical world & that’s not a bad thing since many young listeners aren’t familiar with the gentle, glorious voice of singers like Ashtyn & Ms. Hopkin. They mine a vein of music few are accustomed to.
Some listeners will find Ashtyn’s voice juvenile, but they’d be wrong because the subjects of her songs & how they are arranged & performed aren’t the work of a juvenile. The songs have an acute identification progression & authenticity. These are not performed with just slickness but with skillful words & fluid arrangements.
Her voice isn’t as smoky as Christine Collister’s or June Tabor’s. Classically traditional as the late Sandy Denny or borderline angelic as Mimi Farina. Yet, her voice captivates. Ashtyn may come close to being ethereal & whispery like Sarah MacLachlan (“Reckless Nights”). Not too bad if she doesn’t linger. The musicianship compliments her vocalese & her voice isn’t pop trivial. There’s richness throughout each piece.
But…I hear nothing Ozark in these songs or the vocals. Iris DeMent is Ozarks. There’s a creativity that runs through “2 AM Shadow” that recalls Norma Tanega’s “The Street That Rhymes With 6 AM.” It’s different but they must be cousins. Good stuff.
Highlights – “Along For the Ride,” “Copenhagen,” “Sent Through the Ceiling,” “2 AM Shadow” & “What We’ve Become.”
Musicians – Ashtyn Barbaree (vocals/piano), Phillip Cannon (bgv), Ty Dunn (pedal steel/electric & classical guitar/piano), Garrett Jones (upright bass), Matt Nelson (organ/piano), Jacob Campbell (acoustic & electric guitars), Derek Weiand (drums/shaker/piano) with Lacy Hampton (bgv), Nick Caffrey (bass), Christian Serrano-Torres (cello) & Adams Collins (banjo).
CD cover image & color portrait courtesy of Leah Beth. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.ashtynbarbaree.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: Ashtyn Barbaree “Reckless Nights”
