Jennifer Plummer

By Lil Guitar Gal

Here it is December; the season of hectic schedules, flu-like symptoms, aggressive shoppers and Bank Account brutality for all. After a long day of suffering out in the cold world, it’s nice to be able to sit back with a glass of wine or cup of Chai tea and bask in the warm relaxing rhythms that local singer/songwriter Jennifer Plummer serves up in her new full length CD – Recordings Before Dawn – released December 7, 2005.

Plummer’s rich, sultry, seductive and haunting voice is reminiscent of Canadian vocalist Margo Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies. She toys with her broad vocal range and vibrato with seeming greatness of ease. The music is free flowing, percussive and lives up to the name of the disc as it gives you that first cup of coffee in solitude and reflection before daybreak feel.



Though the CD itself fits neatly in its jewel case, it’s a pleasant surprise that the music contained within does not fit into some pre-fab marketing mould. It’s one part jazz, two parts lounge, a pinch of blues, a touch of reggae, with a dash of Spanish guitar and the perfect blend of African hand drum. Though the music itself defies any simple explanation it would appeal to fans of Ani Difranco, Joss Stone, Dido or local duo, Sweet Gale.

The lyrics are well written, mature and often put the listener behind Plummer’s eyes. She has incorporated some refreshing concepts into the disc; not falling completely into that relationship rut many musicians get stuck in. Her songs Real Vibe and Sleep (Still I Yawn) deal with feelings of “complacency,” the desire for excitement out of life while; That Girl is a song of inner-growth and self-actualization as it touches upon the idea of an idol being “ground to reality” and the confidence gained by realizing that this “flying hero” is no different from anyone else. This writers personal favorites are Good Man an upbeat and very progressive urbanesque style song while Fall Parade is jazzy and lyrically ingenius.

Recordings Before Dawn by Jennifer Plummer is rumored to be available locally at Mudshark Media and Star Trax. It’s also available online at www.jenplummermusic.com.

- SOLVENT MAGAZINE