Eclecto Groove Records artist: Kara Grainger - Shiver and Sigh - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (July 16, 2013), Shiver and Sigh from Kara Grainger and its a slick mix of blues grooves, R&B moves and pop country sounds. Opening with Little Pack Of Lies, Grainger shows her ability to craft a fine pop track with a steady beat, inviting vocals and subtle slide work. Title track, Shiver and Sigh sports rich vocal harmonies and definite pop hooks. Lost In You shows Kara's continued ability to create rich radio tracks with the contemporary soul/jazz sound. Bringing to mind contemporaries such as Bonnie Raitt, Cheryl Crow and Susan Tedeschi, Grainger demonstrates a solid feel for the music and a soothing voice. Relaxed slide guitar soloing on Shut Down continue to reinforce the ease at which Grainger maintains control of her sound. No Way That You Can Hurt Me now leans more toward pop country/rock and the sound of Hank Williams Jr. It's a fun little track with polished slide riffs behind the lead vocals. Keyboard ace Mike Finnigan adds sparkle to the track with his driving piano work. R&B style track Holding Out For Love gives Grainger the opportunity to really our on the steam with her lush vocals. C'Mon In My Kitchen (R Johnson) gets a solid R&B make over and it's actually one of my favorites on the album. With rich vocals, reinforcing slide work and a nice swaying groove, the track is just really nice. A real groove track is You're The One, a modern funky R&B style track maintaining a jazzy funk groove and smoking hot vocals on a really nice instrumental track. A throaty guitar solo on this track opens the door for Paulie Cerra and a cool sax riff. Delivering Breaking Up Somebody's Home like a disciple of Al Green and his famous strut, Grainger makes this often covered track her own and may even set a bar for future entries. The final track on the release, Wayne Perkins Overdue For The Blues is a quiet vocal ballad with acoustic guitar chords and lines. Very elegant. I'm really not much of a pop guy and really am not much of a basic female vocals guy, preferring a lot more edge, but this CD is a standout. It really warrants listening.  

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Breaking Up Someone's Home - Kara Grainger

Australian songstress and guitarist Kara Grainger’s take on the Americana sound is a sensual one combining a soulful voice and technically masterful and emotive slide, electric and acoustic guitar work in passionate and insightful originals and co-written songs. It’s showcased in a collection of blues-roots-pop gems, GRAND AND GREEN RIVER, for which a U.S. label is being sought for its release. Grainger got started in a working-class suburb of Sydney, playing guitar in high school in several bands, then touring the continent and its music festivals, and recording band CDs and solo EPs.

GRAND AND GREEN RIVER (was recorded at Redstar and Village Studios), Grainger’s debut album with producer-instrumentalist David Kalish (Rickie Lee Jones) and Barrie Maguire (Amos Lee) features great musicians such as organist Jeff Young (Jackson Browne, Julia Fordham), pianist Joel Guzman (Los Super Seven), bass player Reggie McBride (Stevie Wonder, John Lee Hooker) and drummer Richie Hayward (Little Feat). Also on the album is a duet with Blue Note singer Amos Lee, “On My Way.”

* Kara showcased at the 2007 Austin City Limits Festival, The Americana Association Conference, Oct/Nov and the International Folk Alliance in Feb 2007
* Grainger opened for Amos Lee on his Australian tour last April
* Album features update of fan favorite “Secret Soul,” which earned a nod in Billboard 2005 songwriting competition and spins on BBC Radio 2
* Received honorable mention in the International Songwriting Competition for "On My Way"
* Tour experience: Japan; opening for Eric Johnson at LA’s House of Blues and across Australia, opening for Little Feat and Robyn Ford there, and playing festivals with brother Mitch in band Grainger

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