Effie Zilch – Higher Calling
Though thoroughly modern in their musical endeavors, Effie Zilch on their first two tracks (“Easy,” “Lover Boy”) has a jazzy, electrifying manner that is mindful of Etta James, Sarah Vaughn & Mavis Staples. However, on track 3, “The Argo,” Effie cruises through the Americana stylings of The Band like “Ophelia” (from “The Last Waltz”). They continue with the well-arranged & played ”Salton Sea” with its Delaney & Bonnie pulse & lay down a consistently attractive showcase.
The San Francisco duo Effie Zilch releases its 5th studio album, Higher Calling (Redtone Records/31:27) on July 10. The 9-cut set was produced by multi-instrumentalist & Grammy-winner Steven Suzuki Wyreman & lead vocalist/guitarist Evanne Barcernas.
As the album proceeds, Effie Zilch (the duo) touches on mainstream pop à la ’60s girl group fashion on “Teardrops,” a mediocre addition but well presented. Effie then slides into the more soulful movement of “Underneath the Weather,” with skill & not deviating so far from their musical exposé that they’d alienate or confuse an audience. It’s all delicately wrapped in their expressive delivery.
Revisiting the Delaney & Bonnie & Friends gospel-flavored blues is their “On the Loose,” & a closer to the vintage Motown soul is the title track “Higher Calling,” smooth as satin. It’s a satisfying set of music that successfully covers several genres with a push beyond the ordinary. There’s nothing substantially new here, but what’s explored is done with finesse & class. There’s little in the way of weighty issues, controversy, or showboating. The singing is sincere & assured, with the musicality clean & distinguished.
Their most original-sounding tune is the Americana-flavored final cut “Where We Go,” about as far from San Francisco as you can get. It has strains of harmonica & guitar straight out of the deep South & done quite well. Evanne’s vocals are rootsy & warmly down-home. The entire album is a pleasurable performance that, for certain, would appeal to a broad range of tastes. Not every artist can pull off a variety of musical styles in one album, but Effie Zilch is an exception.
Highlights – “Easy,” “Lover Boy,” “The Argo,” “Salton Sea,” “Underneath the Weather,” “On the Loose,” “Higher Calling,” & “Where We Go.”
Musicians – Steven Suzuki Wyreman (guitars/bass/piano/organ/mellotron/Moog/percussion/sitar/harmonica/bgv), Rhees Williams (upright bass), John Wood & Will Baldocchi (drums).
Color photography courtesy of Scott Witt. CD @ https://www.effiezilch.com/ & https://www.effiezilch.com/shop/p/pre-order-higher-calling-cd