All-She-Wrote
Albany, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"All-She-Wrote was a pleasant surprise to many of us here at KUMD . . . good songs, nice arrangements, and Gloria Jean's burnished vocals have just the right touch of weariness to allow these tunes to wear well."
John Ziegler, Program Director
KUMD in Duluth, Minnesota
- KUMD
"I had favorable impressions of Gloria Jean's first CD. *live, as well as Pounds & LaPlante's 1983 LP, Big Kids-Little Kids, so I was very interested in hearing the all-SHe-wrote self-titled CD. After all, Pounds & LaPlante, at times, sound more like Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow of PP&M than Peter and Paul themselves, and having Dick Kniss on board couldn't hurt either.
All She Wrote, however, is not PP&M. Some of the songs have a hook; others just hook you. While these days any CD with 3 or 4 good cuts usually makes my year's top ten list, I had a hard time discarding any of the tracks on All She Wrote. Gloria Jean's vocals are clear, strong and confident, and at times, reminiscent of Karen Carpenter. Laplante and Pounds continue their PP&M, sans Mary, sound (Survivor) and also provide fine instrumentation. Dick Kniss, well, is Dick Kniss. Song For My Trash even got me thinking about Spanky & Our Gang. Gloria Jean's songwriting is strong, both lyrically and musically, I haven't been able to single out favorites, yet. The CD is worth a listen, or two or three. I think you'll agree."
Ken Swiatek, FolKenS.uch
WJJW 91.1 North Adams, MA
- Ken Swiatek
Discography
Double Feature - released July 2007 with two new songs ready for airplay (Once the Ice Caps Melt, Love is Something)
all-She-wrote - debut cd released Nov 2004 with 12 orignal songs recorded with minimal production to represent their live performance.
*live - Gloria Jean's solo cd recorded live at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on 9/9/99.
Big Kids, Little Kids - LaPlante & Pounds record (yes, record) released 1983, recorded at Noel Paul stookey's Neworld studio in Blue Hill, Maine. Watch for re-release on cd!
Photos
Bio
New on the scene, all-SHe-wrote is hardly brand new: it is comprised of veteran performers LaPlante & Pounds and Gloria Jean. Both groups have been performing throughout the Northeast for more years than they wish to admit!
LaPlante&Pounds, known for their intricate acoustic guitar playing and crisp, clean vocal harmonies, met Gloria Jean at a gig. Gloria knew she had found the perfect guitar and vocal accompaniment for her original songs; and David and Stephen knew they had found the perfect third voice for their arrangements.
LaPlante&Pounds’ Big Kids, Little Kids, recorded at Noel Paul Stookey’s Maine studio in the 1980’s, captured the magic of David and Stephen’s closely matched fingerpicking styles and clever arrangements. Gloria Jean’s cd, live*, recorded at the historic Caffé Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY, in 1999, provided an opportunity for everyone to finally hear her beautiful original songs.
Together they have produced their self-titled debut cd: all-SHe-wrote, released November 2004. From the tongue-in-cheek bossa nova, “Song for My Trash” to the heartfelt, “Wish for Love”, their songs are touching, melodic, deep, and filled with well-placed three-part harmonies and exceptional guitar playing. Each singer takes a turn at the lead, from Stephen Pounds’ knowing vocals on the bluegrassy, “When the Work Gets Done,” to David LaPlante’s Race-for-Life inspired “Survivor,” to Gloria Jean’s reminiscing in “Applewood Fire.”
They are often accompanied by Dick Kniss, the legendary acoustic bass player for Peter Paul & Mary, John Denver and many jazz greats. Dick adds his signature style to the group, playing exceptional bass solos during performances and on their cd.
“Clearly devoted to the acoustic resonance of real-life, these three are homegrown and rich in flavor. Their voices and arrangements are at once reminiscent of family and friends . . . originals!”
Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Paul & Mary
“all-SHe-wrote was a pleasant surprise to many of us here at KUMD . . . good songs, nice arrangements, and Gloria Jean's burnished vocals have just the right touch of weariness to allow these tunes to wear well."
John Ziegler, KUMD, Duluth, MN
“Some of the songs have a hook; others just hook you. While these days any CD with 3 or 4 good cuts usually makes my year's top ten list, I had a hard time discarding any of the tracks . . . worth a listen, or two or three.” Ken Swiatek, WJJW, North Adams, MA
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