How can you contain a twister? How can you describe its power to
someone who hasn't been there?
You can't. Neither can you capture the unique live sound
of Burlap to Cashmere in a studio CD. Nor can you fully describe the impact of the Brooklyn-based
band's cross of untamed Mediterranean guitars and percussion with clean folk-pop sensibilities.
In that regard, Burlap to Cashmere's debut release is a tad disappointing. The seven-member
band became the talk of the Gospel Music Association after a stunning two-song set in April before
2,500 industry and media folks. Those numbers-Anybody Out There?andBasic Instructions
-are powerfully reproduced here, with a tiny deduction for adding strings to the end of the title cut,
diluting the dramatic live finish. Scenes and Skin Is Burning also show the band's
passion and creativity.
But when first-time listeners liken the sound with Cat Stevens, instead of scratching their heads
over a defining comparison, it's clear this band still has growing to do in the studio. Right now,
Anybody Out There?is a winning tantalizer, but Burlap to Cashmere must be seen to be experienced.
The whirlwind band will be on stage next Friday(November 13, 1998) at Memorial Hall as a second act with Jars of Clay.
JAMES LLOYD, Dayton Daily News, 11/6/98 |
|
Anybody Out There?, Burlap to Cashmere, Live at the Bitter End
Watch out. Anticipation builds from the first chord of this amazing perfomance by the best
new band in Christian music since Jars of Clay, and when Johnny Philippides' fingers finally start
flying over the frets, my spirit soars; the live version is more energetic that the recorded title
cut of the group's later full-length A & M/Squint release, but this and Basic Instructions
are filled with promise on both CDs.
Gimme Shelter, Ashley Cleveland, You Are There:
Hard to Get, Rich Mullins/Rick Elias, The Jesus Record
Butterfly, Seven Day Jesus, Seven Day Jesus
Brighten My Heart, Sixpence None the Richer, Exodus
Deeper, Delirious, King of Fools
Missing Personn, Michael W. Smith, Live the Life
Deliver Me, Margaret Becker, Falling Forward
Tired Shoes, Eli, Things I Prayed For
The Apostle |
