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Sonicnet.com - A Singer's Singer
Celeste, Celeste Krenz (Blix Street) By Bliss Bowen As a writer, Colorado singer-songwriter Celeste Krenz contributed to only three of the 11 songs on her fine new album, Celeste. Yet, all three are strong and haunting, especially "I Had a Dream About You," written about a sister who died at 16. The remainder of Krenz's album works well, thanks largely to her own tasteful selections and her knack for reinterpreting other people's songs. The presence of former Subdude John Magnie — who wrote or co-wrote four songs and plays keyboards and accordion — gives the album much of its soulful appeal. In fact, its anthemic centerpiece is Magnie's "If Wishin' Made It So" (RealAudio excerpt), a yearning reflection on a lost love. Like the sad (and less memorable) "Like a Ghost," Magnie culled it from his 1998 solo album, Magnie, to which Krenz contributed harmony vocals. Krenz connects to the pulse of a song with a pure, expressive soprano that is distinctive in its rhythmic articulation and tonal clarity. Krenz's core band, which includes guitarist/producer Bob Tyler, organist Jeremy Lawton, Magnie and former Subdude drummer Steve Amedee, creates sympathetic settings that draw out the sensual beauty of her voice. A real singer's singer, she connects to the pulse of a song with a pure, expressive soprano that is distinctive in its rhythmic articulation and tonal clarity. Krenz shades her voice's sweetness with a breathy sensuality on Noel Brazil's "Don't Send Me Anymore Love," a hip-moving groove-fest punctuated by former Hot Rize guitarist Nick Forster's mandolin and sly slide guitar. She keeps it light on Tom Kimmel and John Smith's infectious "Clear Blue Sky," essentially a bouncy pop song funked up with percussive grooves that would have been at home on a Subdudes' record. But Krenz is at her best on ballads with meatier lyrics, where she subtly deploys the break in her supple voice to penetrating effect, as on Buddy Mondlock's dramatic "Break the Cup" (RealAudio excerpt) and her own "In the Arms of the Moon" (RealAudio excerpt), a tender affirmation of beliefs. [Fri., June 23, 12:00 AM EDT]
- Sonicnet.com
Celeste Krenz Wishin' (EMR Records) Coloradans already know what a national audience is likely to discover soon--that Krenz is a talented artist whose stylings appeal equally to aficionados of country and folk. With the help of singer-songwriter/producer Bob Tyler and two former Subdudes, John Magnie and Steve Amedee, Krenz lends her gentle pipes to an array of tunes that are touching and uplifting. Wishin' is a subtle offering, but it lingers like a pleasant daydream. Michael Roberts, Westword Magazine - Westword Magazine - Denver Colorado
“The purest folk voice I’ve heard in years, and that little catch in her throat gives it just a touch of hillbilly soul. I was so enchanted that I practically held my breath.” Robert K.Oermann-Music Row Magazine
- Music Row Magazine
“An infectious blend of sweet vocals, story based lyrics and acoustic sensibilities.” Billboard Magazine - Billboard Magazine
Meticulously drawn songwriting, equal parts, torch and poetry, brain and soul. Colorado Daily, David Kirby - Colorado Daily
Discography
Edge of the Storm - 1993
Slow Burning Flame - 1994
Hello Country - 1996
Wishin - 1998
Celeste - 2000
Through My Baby’s Eyes - XMas - 2001
Ten Year Compilation - 2003
Beautiful Soup - 2004
Acoustic - 2006
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Bio
Celeste Krenz - Bio 2005
Celeste Krenz was born and raised in North Dakota. She started writing songs at age 15 and continued writing through college (with time off traveling around the country as a full time musician). After returning and earning a marketing degree from the University of North Dakota, Celeste moved to Denver in 1990 where, before long, she developed a loyal following in a community that appreciated the honesty and warmth of her songs and voice. Not a newcomer to the music scene, she released four independent albums between 1993 and 1998, with "Slow Burning Flame" produced by Tim O’Brien and Bob Tyler, reaching #11 on music trade magazine GAVIN's Americana radio airplay chart. Blix Street Records, a specialty label that has built its reputation distributing some of the finest Celtic, folk and world music on the market, signed Celeste in 1999. They recognized her appeal to the same audience that had reacted strongly to other Blix Street artists, including Irish vocalist Mary Black, Scotland's Dougie MacLean and the late Eva Cassidy. Using some of the songs from the last independent project, Wishin’ as the nucleus, Celeste went back into the studio to record what has become the CELESTE album.
Now settled in her Nashville home, Krenz continues to grow as a performer and writer. Celeste’s voice, described as, “ a pure, sweet voice, as smooth as the great American plains” has been embraced by audiences across the country. Robert K. Oermann of Music Row Magazine writes “The purest folk voice I’ve heard in years, and that little catch in her throat gives it just a touch of hillbilly soul. I was so enchanted that I practically held my breath.”
Celeste’s newest release, Acoustic, is a collection of songs that gracefully captures the essence of her voice. Sparse accompianment and great song choices make this album a jewel.
Her previous release Beautiful soup is less produced than Krenz's other recordings, there is no mistaking the intimate songs and vocals that touch the spirit. Like the song “Enough”, in which Krenz explores our role in the chaos of the world’s tragic violence and war. The weight of raising a child in today’s world has definitely had an influence on Celeste’s writing and perspective. Beautiful Soup is a collection of songs that have a special appeal for women and our place in shaping the world around us.
How difficult is it to write songs about such closely-held emotions? "In a strange way, I think they're the easiest ones to write, you can hardly keep them in, on the other hand, they're the hardest ones to perform. I feel like I’m telling my story for the first time, every time...it’s very emotional. What I've realized is that although the songs are very personal, they have a universal message. Life is constantly changing, we all lose people we love and we are all looking for ways to keep love alive and find peace in the world. I think the trick is to squeeze every drop of joy from the time we have together. Try to do the right thing...life is short…make it count."
For more detailed discography information go to www.celestekrenz.com
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Color Slides Available Upon Request
www.celestekrenz.com kren9222@bellsouth.net
For Booking and Tour Information www.celestekrenz.com
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Some Quotes:
“Meticulously drawn songwriting, equal parts torch and poetry, brain and soul.”
— Colorado Daily
“An infectious blend of sweet vocals, story based lyrics and acoustic sensibilities.”
— Billboard Magazine
“The purest folk voice I’ve heard in years, and that little catch in her throat gives it just a touch of hillbilly soul. I was so enchanted that I practically held my breath.”
— Robert K. Oermann, Music Row Magazine
“I love her songs and voice, she reminds me of Karla Bonoff.”
— Cheryl Wheeler
"Krenz typifies a different breed of country artist quietly rising in this era...a fresh spirit from which country msuic originally sprang and a college educated vocablulary"
—Jack Hurst, Chicago Tribune
"The album confirms that Krenz is one of the region's most engaging vocalists, male or female, with a soothing, intimate voice that yanks you headfirst into the song."
—Rocky Mountain News
"A real singer's singer, she connect with the pulse of a song with a pure, expressive soprano that is distinctive in its rhythmic articulation and tonal clarity."
—sonicnet.com
“I love her songs and voice, she reminds me of Karla Bonoff.”
—Cheryl Wheeler
-Best of Denver Westword: Country Folk Artist
-Named to music critics' "Best Colorado CDs of the Year" - Wishin' - Westword Magazine
-Top 10 indie albums of the year - KPFK Kansas for 'Hello Country'
-# 9 album of the year - KPFK Kansas
-# 1 best selling Colorado Artist on Amazon.com
-Top 100 artists on MP3
-Winner - Walnut Valley songwriters contest 2003
Venues / Main stage / Headliner
Jefferson
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