Music
Press
..."With every song she dazzles me as much as she did the first time I heard her perform at Groovefest, especially as she plays one my favorite songs of hers, “Pirates of Mental Space.” Her voice soars to luminous beauty as she sings, “Everyone stares at us, blond and sun-soaked / Marinated in American hope and naivety.”
After an intermission, she returns to the stage and continues the brilliance. She introduces her first song with a companion story, which she reads from the book that will accompany a new album she’s currently finishing. Another fantastic new song, “What We Ask For,” was written during a Colorado dry lightning storm and it has a similar powerful beauty.
Then she switches things up completely and delivers a high-speed, Ani DiFranco-style folk rap with an innovative rhythm and some entertaining lines. Although there are humorous moments, it actually takes on some serious topics like “fear-based legislation.”
Perhaps my favorite moment of the night is the second song she performs in Spanish by Cuban folk musician Silvio Rodriguez. The song she played in the first set was a nice intro to his music but this second selection is stunningly gorgeous. Gabrielle has made a few trips to South America in recent years, often staying for many weeks, and it’s apparent with how fluidly she delivers the Spanish lyrics. The song is full of blissful beauty, but also a hint of sadness. I close my eyes and let her angelic voice waft over me.
Then once again she switches moods and sings “Love Song for the Garbage Man,” which is as funny as it sounds.
To finish out the evening, another musician, Brodie Kinder, takes the stage to duet with Gabby on a song that is significantly more “pop” than her usual fare. It sounds familiar to me, but I can’t quite place it at first because I can tell it’s quite different from the original song, whatever it is. Then finally I realized it’s the Colplay track “Princess of China,” which features frontman Chris Martin and R&B/pop singer Rihanna in duet mode. While it was the best track off of Coldplay’s otherwise disappointing “Mylo Xyloto,” in the hand of Gabby and Brodie I like it even better.
Brodie then does one song on his own, playing a lovely solo version of Paul McCartney’s year-old song “My Valentine.”
Finally, Gabrielle returns to the stage as she closes out the show with the powerful and beautiful “Mirror,” with Brodie on harmony vocals. Though I want her to play a few more songs, it’s a perfect way to end a superb show.
After the concert I have a chance to talk with Gabby for a bit and she manages to run down an advance copy of her new album coming out in a few months. So watch for my review of it sometime in the coming weeks. If the new songs she played Sunday are any indication, it should be an excellent album." - TheSpectrum.com - Written by Brian Passey, March, 2013
"Articulate and gifted, Gabrielle Louise... is an artist who comes to music from a literary vantage point, first and foremost...But the lyrics standing alone are only part of the story...As a vocalist Gabrielle Louise dives deep into her songs, exploring them in a warm, sturdy voice reminiscent at times of Joni Mitchell...especially in the falsetto flights and lower register swoops...She executes a captivating balance of heartache and resolve."
--David McGee, music critic, www.thebluegrassspecial.com. David was previously the editor for Rolling Stone, and has written for Rolling Stone, Pro Sound News, Spin and many other publications. He is currently the country music editor at barnesandnoble.com and Deep Roots Magazine. (New York City, New York)
- www.thebluegrassspecial.com
Discography
Records: Journey (2006), Around in Circles, the E.P. (2007), Cigarettes for Sentiments (2008), Live in Coal Creek Canyon (2009) Mirror the Branches (2010) and, The Bird in My Chest (upcoming; 2013)
Singles:
"Save the Arkansas", the campaign theme song for the environmental campaign to protect the Arkansas River from silver mine tailings.
"Make You Remember," an ode to the occupy movement; was featured twice on the international news program Democracy Now!
Photos
Bio
*For tour schedule and more videos please visit www.gabriellelouise.com
"Articulate and gifted, Gabrielle Louise is an artist who comes to music from a literary vantage point, first and foremost. Gabrielle Louise dives deep into her songs, exploring them in a warm, sturdy voice. She executes a captivating balance of heartache and resolve."
--David McGee, music critique and previous editor for Rollins Stone, Pro Sound News and Spin. He currently publishes Deep Roots Magazine.
Gabrielle Louise is a nationally touring troubadour noted for her poignant lyrics (a two-time John Lennon Songwriting Contest finalist, winner of the Jack Maher Songwriting Award) and lush voice. The daughter of two gypsy [vagabond] musicians, Gabrielle inherited the genetic predisposition to wanderlust and song.
She has toured and recorded with a wide variety of configurations, but all presentations fall under the creative umbrella of "The Gabrielle Louise Show." Variety is the ticket. Don’t be surprised to catch a tango performance by the dancers who frequent her shows, or an exhibit by a local artist or photographer. She can be found serenading and storytelling around the country, sometimes solo, sometimes with a full band in tow.
Gabrielle Louise's music is anchored deeply in folk, but undeniably drawn to rich harmonies and melodic adventurism. Her sound has the earthy feel of early Joni Mitchell while also veering into the spirited delivery of fellow genre-hopping artist Martin Sexton. Unafraid to take a random musical escapade in the name of inspiration, Gabrielle is at one moment folkie and ethereal, the next moment a smoky jazz chanteuse. Recently, she’s fallen very much in love with Argentine Tango, and is committing time to studying to play and sing tango standards.
In the original songwriting realm, she has 100% independently released five records, Journey (2006), Around in Circles, the E.P. (2007), Cigarettes for Sentiments (2008), Live in Coal Creek Canyon (2009) and most recently, Mirror the Branches (2010.) She is now preparing for her sixth release, a record entitled For the Brokenhearted, is expected to be printed this December.
Gabrielle's music has been best appreciated in listening atmospheres with introspective, attentive crowds. She is striving to communicate more soul than special effect and gently entice her listener to release their grip on the status quo. In a music industry that tends to view its artists as either super-stars or failures, Gabrielle aims to break the trend by offering her creative personality as-is, a professional presentation of her private journaling.
As a performer and songwriter, Gabrielle has made a commitment towards the environment. Most recently she organized and co-wrote the sustainability themed musical, The Muse’s Market, which sought to address social issues and present sustainability-focused solutions through multi-media art. It was a great undertaking and adventure, the theme song of which Amy Goodman later featured on Democracy Now! In the past she has assisted the “Save the Arkansas River” campaign by releasing a single for the campaign and continues to do the majority of her touring in a vehicle powered by bio-fuels. The marriage of creativity and environmentalism has been powerful for her.
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