Review: Kerri Powers – Words On The Wind

 

Kerri Powers - Words On The Wind

Kerri Powers – Words On The Wind
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Must Have Music – Continental Record Services
Release: 2022

Tekst: Bert van Kessel

Kerri Powers has a distinctive voice, she uses it expertly to penetrate your mind and draw you into her music. She does this so proficiently that it is hard to imagine that this collection of covers, an intriguing combination of classic pop songs and favourites from the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Prine and Townes Van Zandt, was not written by herself.

She has picked songs that have played a huge role in her life. She turned to them for comfort during some of the hardest times she experienced. She recorded Steve Winwood’s Can’t Find My Way Home, Barry Gibbs’ To Love Somebody and Janis ian’s Jesse before and released them on previous albums, but she re-recorded them, this time even more pognant, breathing new life into her favourite songs.

The emotional depth with which she delivers Janis Ian’s Jesse, is truly astonishing. A remarkable choice is the inclusion of a song by Dino Valente ( Quicksilver Messenger Service) Something’s on Your Mind, made famous by Karen Dalton. This song about longing fort he past gets a heartfelt rendition here.

Seeing that this project is a very personal undertaking, she has opted to record the choice material and exceptional vocals in a sober setting. It’s mostly just Kerri and her acoustic guitar. The strength of her emotional delivery is such that these recordings don’t need any ornamentation. The amount of comfort they provide is all the larger for it.

Kerri’s  previous album ‘Starseeds’ was released in 2019 to universal critical acclaim. This well-crafted and very listenable album of covers surely soothes the waiting for her next album of original material.

Tracks:
01. Can’t Find My Way Home (Traffic)
02. The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
03. Mercedes Benz (Janis Joplin)
04. Speed of the Sound of Loneliness (John Prine)
05. Always On My Mind (Elvis Presley)
06. I’ll Be Here In The Morning (Townes van Zandt)
07. Cold Irons Bound (Bob Dylan)
08. Something On Your Mind (Karen Dalton)
09. To Love Somebody (The Bee Gees)
10. For The Turnstiles (Neil Young)
11. Jesse (Janis Ian)

Website: https://www.kerripowers.com/