Glenna Bell: Press

GLENNA BELL is truly a rare artist. It isn’t very often that words can just pour out so easily to describe such music that almost brings us to serious tears (and pretty near did just that during the show). At the same time, we are fearful that our words could never do justice to such beauty and brilliance. Please do us a favour, go to Glenna’s web site, listen to a few tracks, and decide for yourself. Once you’ve decided, you should have her CD in your hand to listen to for an Eternity. Then we can all die happy when that eventual day comes.

Album Review For me and many colleagues, CD Baby is a gift from heaven because it offers a very mixed selection of different music trends, and what makes it so interesting is the opportunity to listen to many songs partially. In this way you can discern a lot because, let's be honest, in the Americana, alt. country, roots/rock world there is material which should never leave the studios. But once in a while something rises up and 2005 just began with Face This World from the for-me unknown Glenna Bell. I hold a jewel in my hands. This Texan beauty (born in Beaumont) was strongly influenced by acappella songs in the local church and the old style country albums of her own collection. That is why she preferred to record her songs at the famous Sugar Hill Studios to get that specific sound. Together with producer John Evans (Texan singer/ songwriter) who had his band accompany Glenna and who also sings two wonderful duets with Glenna, they succeeded very well with this album. Apparently there are earlier recordings from Glenna Bell, but this is the first album that got our attention. With 10 original songs and with the help of Chris Masterson (the Jack Ingram band) on lead guitar and Brian Thomas (the Jesse Dayton band) on banjo, Glenna has created a very eclectic masterpiece. This beautiful child has a different sort of voice that reminds me of Mary Gauthier, Iris Dement, Gillian Welch. Glenna Bell's sound is modern Americana in the truest sense. It is a unique blend of country roots music, romantic urban culture lyrics, and Texas folk rock; all sung in a voice that is powerful yet somehow vulnerable. More beautiful than Face This World is not possible. The album keeps you fascinated from the opening title track (Face This World) until the surprise ending track, Cosmo's Cafe. Beautiful songs with guitar solos are Hoping I Could Be Wrong and the up-tempo Poor Girl which is somewhat like J. Cash and somewhat like our Guido Belcanto, should he do something nice. March to Me and Could've Been My Friend are songs that give me goose flesh, pure acoustic Texan folk that places Glenna at the level of the best singer/songwriters. In the song John the drum roll makes its mark. Here In Texas, again with pretty guitars and banjo added, is a nice surprise. The two duets with John Evans--Tumbling Down and Moving On--are a statement of Dan Workman's words. (Dan is president of Sugar Hill Studios): Glenna Bell is the Loretta Lynn of Texas. No, that's not right, . . . she's better. Good luck, Glenna. I love this record!!!!

Music critic, Roger Wood, author of "Down in Houston: Bayou City Blues" (University of Texas Press), says, "Glenna Bell's distinctive voice sounds as southern and as worldly, as down home and as smart, as Houston itself - the perfect complement to this set of finely crafted original songs." Sarah Sharp, Austin-based singer songwriter whose Fourth Person (2004) is a top seller at Waterloo Records, writes, "John [Evans] just produced an album for Glenna Bell that is going to be legendary. Glenna is one of the purist musicians I will ever know. Her voice is the definition of an old soul. She gives the same performance for 10 people that she would for 10,000 because there is no ego attached." (www.sarahsharp.com) Peter Pallas, owner of Cosmos Cafe in Houston, Texas, states, "Glenna Bell's emergence in the Texas music scene is reminiscent of Norah Jones' explosion a couple of years ago. Her ageless style imparts real life to music." Singer-songwriter, Hayes Carll, says, "Glenna has one of the most unique voices in country music today."