Donna Ulisse - Breakin’
Easy
URL: http://www.donnaulisse.com/
Breakin’ Easy will
likely end 2017 rating high as one of the best releases coming from the
Americana or Bluegrass genres. Donna Ulisse’s vocal talents, songwriting
skills, and astute choices for collaborators comes together on these dozen
songs in an astonishingly complete way that makes this a solid listen from
first song to last. There’s really no filler to speak of – she comes out of the
gate with great energy, subverts a few expectations along the way, and never
disappoints with pandering to the lowest common denominator. Purists of the
form will find nothing disagreeable here as well; it’s apparent, on every song,
that Ulisse has logged the needed time to be considered a genius of sorts with
the style and she brings a clear vision for what she wants to accomplish to
these tunes with the brilliant hand of Doyle Lawson in the producer’s seat.
Breakin’ Easy is sincere, skillful, and relaxed.
Well-known for her
Bluegrass and traditional country flavor, Donna even indulges in some
blues along the way. The influence of blues on “Without Trouble Please” lives
in its lyric and, lesser so, vocal, but there’s other forces shaping this song
as well. The predominant style working here is bluegrass and Ulisse is easily
at home with the material. “Back Home Again Feelin’” is a tune even casual fans
will relate to and its breezy familiarity never feels
put on. It is definitely within the bluegrass tradition, but Ulisse’s take on
the form isn’t fixed towards one end – this doesn’t sound like some ancient
bluegrass song plucked from the distant past but, instead, sounds completely
modern while still using a long standing form to communicate with its audience.
“A Little Past Lonely” tips its hat to Ulisse’s honky tonk past, surrounding
its changes and the melody is largely carried by the album’s unsung instrument,
the fiddle. It has a suitably melancholy atmosphere without ever slipping into
bathos and the fiddle’s tone dovetails neatly into Ulisse’s voice.
“Baby Back Again”
is one of the album’s more meditative ballads and gets a lot from another head
turning Ulisse vocal. She takes her time setting up this song, following the
arrangement, and maximizing the relationship between her singing and the superb
backing she receives. “We Are Strong” is one of the album’s best cuts, if for
no other reason, than the fact that it takes a positive message that might have
risked corniness, treats it seriously, and instead turns into a wholly
believable and rousing bit of songwriting. The lyrical imagery is especially
pointed and helps make for a better song. “Where My Mind Can Find Some Rest”
and the album’s finale “We’ve Got This Love Thing Figured Out” are very
different numbers lyrically and, even, musically, but they make for an ideal
final curtain when taken together for that very reason. The former is another
tune suffused with weariness, but hope lives there as well. The latter brings
Breakin’ Easy to a close on the same life and heart affirming note that has
inspired much of the work. Donna Ulisse has turned in a winner here and she
deserves every bit of the praise that’s her due for its excellence, and
probably more well-deserved awards to come.
Scott Wigley
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