Barbara Nesbitt
Austin, Texas, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Het fragiele stemmetje van zangeres Barbara Nesbitt is het allereerste wat de luisteraar opvalt bij de eerste noten van de beginsong “Come To Find Out” uit haar tweede plaat “The Bees”, de langverwachte opvolger van haar debuutalbum “A Million Stories” uit 2007.
Zes jaar geleden vestigde Barbara Nesbitt zich na ettelijke omzwervingen door Amerika uiteindelijk in San Diego waar ze met vallen en opstaan probeerde om een carrière als singer-songwriter uit te bouwen. Met haar eerste album slaagde ze er meteen in om ettelijke prijzen in de wacht te slepen en lovende perskritieken te verzamelen. Het stimuleerde haar om nog intensiever achter de schrijftafel plaats te nemen in een verwoede poging om er nog betere nummers te componeren.
Het resultaat van die noeste arbeid werd nu verzameld op het album “The Bees” en bestaat uit dertien nummers, waar zij er zelf 12 van heeft geschreven. De enige coversong is dan wel een zorgvuldig geselecteerde interpretatie van het door Boudleaux Bryant geschreven nummer “Like Strangers” dat de echte muziekliefhebber zeker nog zal herkennen in de versie van de ‘Everly Brothers’ of van Emmylou Harris. Barbara Nesbitt brengt dat prachtige countryliedje hier in een beklijvend duet met haar drummer Bill Coomes.
Tussen het lijstje van muzikanten die meewerkten aan dit tweede album vinden we naast haar vaste begeleidingsband (Marcia Claire op bas, Bill Coomes op drums en Mike Spurgat op gitaren) enkele opvallende gasten terug zoals Dennis Caplinger die banjo, fiddle, dobro, mandoline en gitaar speelt op diverse tracks en ook Doug Pettibone die excelleert op pedal steel en lap steel.
De vergelijking met grote countrystemmen als June Carter Cash of Emmylou Harris dient zich al gauw aan bij het horen van songs als openingstrack “Come To Find Out”, country-tearjerker ”Good For Something”, het trieste liefdesliedje “Message To You” en de nog meer aangrijpende songs “Give In” en “When Summer Is Over”.
Telkens opnieuw slaagt Barbara Nesbitt er in om de luisteraar mee te slepen in het verhaal van de songs en haar snikkende stem bezorgt je soms zelfs een oncomfortabel gevoel alsof ze je het besef toewerpt dat je zelf de oorzaak van al haar pijn en lijden bent. “The Bees” steken en doorboren je tot in de kern van je hart maar ze doen je toch geen pijn want de honingzoete liedjes verzachten steeds opnieuw het leed en maken van deze tweede cd van Barbara Nesbitt een zeer mooie plaat in dit bij het publiek zeer breed geliefde muziekgenre.
(valsam)
www.rootstime.be
- Rootstime
Second solo album release from Georgia-born, San Diego-based singer-songwriter Barbara Nesbitt, whose strong assured vocal delivery dominates this collection of a dozen original compositions and just the one cover, Boudleaux Bryant's timeless Like Strangers, previously known through the singing of the Everly Brothers and Emmylou Harris. With a steady musical development that has seen terms with such diverse bands as Rare Daze, Cradle and The Perpetrators, together with an impressive solo debut in 2007, A MILLION STORIES, Nesbitt appears to have found her stride as a solo performer. Produced by Jeff Berkley, THE BEES demonstrates a fully developed personal style, which deserves to be brought to further attention.
With a core band of Marcia Claire on bass and baritone guitar (Citizen Band, Cindy Lee Berryhill), Bill Coomes on drums (Deadline Friday, The Grams) and Mike Spurgat on lead guitar (Citizen Band, Deadline Friday), the album also includes contributions from Dennis Caplinger, who takes care of banjo, Dobro, mandolin and high strung guitar. Doug Pettibone provides some tasty pedal steel, lap steel and mini 12 string guitar, whilst Jeff Berkley adds rhythm guitar to his production duties.
These musicians more than adequately flesh out the songs with some startling instrumental fills, particularly Caplinger's fiddle on Losin' Time and the guitar work on The Big Picture, not to mention the clever Dobro buzzing sound effects on the intro to the title song. Without dwelling too much on the puns, THE BEES is reportedly creating a buzz Stateside and there is no reason why Barbara Nesbitt shouldn't be doing some overdue cross pollination over here (musically speaking). As far as I'm concerned, she's the bee's knees.
- Allan Wilkinson
Second solo album release from Georgia-born, San Diego-based singer-songwriter Barbara Nesbitt, whose strong assured vocal delivery dominates this collection of a dozen original compositions and just the one cover, Boudleaux Bryant's timeless Like Strangers, previously known through the singing of the Everly Brothers and Emmylou Harris. With a steady musical development that has seen terms with such diverse bands as Rare Daze, Cradle and The Perpetrators, together with an impressive solo debut in 2007, A MILLION STORIES, Nesbitt appears to have found her stride as a solo performer. Produced by Jeff Berkley, THE BEES demonstrates a fully developed personal style, which deserves to be brought to further attention.
With a core band of Marcia Claire on bass and baritone guitar (Citizen Band, Cindy Lee Berryhill), Bill Coomes on drums (Deadline Friday, The Grams) and Mike Spurgat on lead guitar (Citizen Band, Deadline Friday), the album also includes contributions from Dennis Caplinger, who takes care of banjo, Dobro, mandolin and high strung guitar. Doug Pettibone provides some tasty pedal steel, lap steel and mini 12 string guitar, whilst Jeff Berkley adds rhythm guitar to his production duties.
These musicians more than adequately flesh out the songs with some startling instrumental fills, particularly Caplinger's fiddle on Losin' Time and the guitar work on The Big Picture, not to mention the clever Dobro buzzing sound effects on the intro to the title song. Without dwelling too much on the puns, THE BEES is reportedly creating a buzz Stateside and there is no reason why Barbara Nesbitt shouldn't be doing some overdue cross pollination over here (musically speaking). As far as I'm concerned, she's the bee's knees.
- Allan Wilkinson
Providing entertainment with a different kind of music, the Lobby Lounge at the Intercontinental Hotel usually features a 5- to 6-piece band along with a singer to complement the best view of the harbor in the city. It is a great spot to catch the "Symphony of Lights" show on the Victoria Harbour at 8 pm every night. At present, audiences are also being entertained by the unique vocal styling of American singer and songwriter Barbara Nesbitt on Tuesdays through Sundays from 9:00 pm to 12:45 am.
This fair-haired Georgian native is a talented artist with a unique voice, which has been likened to Emmylou Harris. Her voice, while sweet and melodic, conveys a confidence and strength drawn from her life's experiences. Her successful albums include "A Million Stories" nominated for both the San Diego Music Award and San Diego HAT (Honoring Acoustic Talent) Award, and Best Americana 2008
- Tomas Lim
San Diego-based songstress Barbara Nesbitt captures all that’s pretty and earthy on “The Bees”, a carefully-nurtured album that ought to ensure that her popularity extends across the Atlantic Ocean. Simply put, this is an album of all-round Americana splendour.
Through the soulful opener (“Come to Find Out”) to the absorbing title track, an immediate confidence is detected in Ms Nesbitt’s approach to her craft. Backed by a stellar cast of contributing musicians, Ms Nesbitt has suitable license to exercise her lyrical and vocal talents. A major part of this is knowing how to achieve maximum effect with vocals and lyrics and Ms Nesbitt certainly scores high.
“Losin’ Time” is commendable as a modern-day take on the Bakersfield sound with Dennis Caplinger also laying down some delightful fiddle. There’s some old-time sentimentality on offer, too, on “Good for Something”. In either instance, Nesbitt’s voice is wholesome and warm; so much so that you may need to convince yourself that “Message to You” is not in fact addressed to you.
“The Big Picture” is almost anthemic, benefitting from some delightfully rootsy instrumentation, while “Give In”, by contrast, takes on the form of a sombre (yet melodious) intervention in a situation concerning one’s struggles with love. Once again, Nesbitt has the listener by the heart.
There’s a genuine feeling of sadness on “When Summer Is Over”, and such reflective tones carry into “Quicksand”, on which imagery is more important than ever. A borrowed song (“Like Strangers” by Boudleaux Bryant) proves to be a winning end to the album. Sang as a duet with Bill Coomes – whose influence on the musical side of the album should not be overlooked – it caps off an album that doubles as an emotional round-trip on a positively sweet note.
A point that shouldn’t go amiss is that this album has been released by no label but Ms Nesbitt herself. Listening to the album does not give that impression, however. Plaudits should also go to Jeff Berkley for some excellent production work.
It could be said that the “Americana” scene has been waiting for an album like this for a long time. While never straying far from a surprisingly mature country-folk sound, this album could easily propel Barbara Nesbitt into mainstream country fame. A truly excellent release.
Available from CD Baby.
Review by: Peter McGee
- Peter McGee
Warm, evocative vocals...Nesbitt...seems to be honing her own style. And its refreshing to hear a debut that boasts so many accomplished songs with such a keen sense of purpose and personality - George Varga
There's no reason Barbara Nesbitt is still unsigned… in a sultry, sugary, softly gritty voice competition, she'd give Bonnie Raitt a run for her money - Ollie
This is simply a girl with a tremendous, angelic voice singing wonderfully crafted songs - Craig Yerkes
Barbara Nesbitt has established herself as one of the hardest-working and most well-liked performers of the local singer-songwriter community. Her debut album, "A Million Stories," shows she's also one of the most talented. She has a rich, full voice (Tim Flannery had her sing on his latest CD, issued earlier this year), and writes solid, catchy songs - Jim Tragreser
"With a stop-in-your-tracks voice and captivating style, Barbara is already on her way to becoming a local favorite" - Laura Kuebel
There's no reason Barbara Nesbitt is still unsigned… in a sultry, sugary, softly gritty voice competition, she'd give Bonnie Raitt a run for her money - Ollie
"Vibrantly creative" - Jeff Maisey
"Nesbitt has a voice that belies her young face, strong and mature, and sweet" - Monette Austin
"Barbara Nesbitt could be the phoenix of the local music scene. Like the mythical Greek creature, the former vocalist for Rare Daze has emerged from the ashes of her old band and is now flying high with her latest project" - John Miller
"[Barbara] has the ability to belt out a song and whether she be singing solo lead or sharing harmonies has a totally mesmerizing style" - Doreen Humes
Discography
My debut record - "A Million Stories" was nominated for a San Diego Music Award
My new record, "The Bees," was released in January 2011
Photos
Bio
Written by Lizzie Wann
Barbara Nesbitt, a Georgia native, has found her home in music. Her life is reflected in the songs she writes which are about the ways, large and small, we abandon and seek that elusive safety of home.
At fifteen, Nesbitt left home, landing herself among a group of jam- and groove-oriented musicians in Virginia. She met Bernie Lee who put a guitar in her hand and encouraged her to step behind the microphone. Before long, they were playing gigs to large groups of people, and Nesbitt found a new home on stage. She thrived and started writing her own songs but made a great living doing cover gigs in a succession of bands including Rare Daze, Cradle, and The Perpetrators, a duo with Lee. Nesbitt was recognized with nominations for female songwriter of the year, and a win for acoustic performer of the year.
In late 2005, Nesbitt followed her heart to San Diego where, before long, she entered and won the San Diego Music Scene Cream of the Crop singer/songwriter competition and was nominated for best female singer for the inaugural H.A.T. Award. Inspired by her new surroundings and everything that came before, Nesbitt wrote the words and music for her debut album, “A Million Stories.”
Backed up by stand-out players Marcia Claire on bass, Bill Coomes on drums and vocals and Mike Spurgat on guitar and vocals, Nesbitt also had San Diego legend Jeff Berkley on board to produce the album and to add vocals and guitar. With special guests including Dennis Caplinger, Freebo, Ben Moore and John McBride, there’s no doubt that Nesbitt surrounds herself with the very best as she continues to mesmerize anyone within listening distance. Upon its release, A Million Stories, was nominated for a San Diego Music Award, and a San Diego HAT (Honoring Acoustic Talent) Award. She was also nominated for a San Diego Music Award in the Best Americana category in 2008.
In the last few years she has sung with Bob Weir, Willie Nelson, Berkley Hart, Tim Flannery, Dennis Caplinger, Freebo, Marc Ford, Doug Pettibone, and more. She has shared the stage / opened for artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keene, Lisa Loeb, Hootie & The Blowfish, Meredith Brooks, Nickel Creek, Jerry Garcia Band, Keller Williams, and Widespread Panic and many more.
Her second album, The Bees, was released in January, 2011. It was produced by Jeff Berkley, and features Mike Spurgat, Bill Coomes, Marcia Claire, Doug Pettibone, and Dennis Caplinger.
She relocated to Austin Texas in 2011 and has quickly become a fixture in the world renowned music scene there. She helped form the band, The Whiskey Sisters, who have recorded, toured internationaly and seen much success, buzz and press and has placed in the Austin Music Awards in the top 10 acoustic guitar players, top 3 singers, and top 3 songwriters.
Her third solo album, Almost Home, was released in August 2013, and features such talents as, Jeff Berkley, Marcia Claire, Mike Spurgat, Bill Coomes, Bukka Allen, Dennis Caplinger, Kim DesChamps, and Kyle Clayton.
Currently, she is dividing her time between The Whiskey Sisters, Tim Flannery & The Lunatic Fringe, and her ‘solo’ project simply called Barbara Nesbitt.
Band Members
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