Shenandoah and The Night
EP
Self-released
Based on the name alone, it would be easy to get the impression this is some sort of old school folk outfit, named for the celebrated river that inspired the traditional tune of the same name. As for The Night… well, such arcane references usually inspire shadowy musings, which would account for that portion of the billing as well. Surprisingly then, an initial listen to the group’s eponymous EP tosses these assumptions aside, because aside from one hoary cover, “Dink’s Song,” the material is both contemporary and compelling, sans sepia tinting. Appropriately, Shenandoah Ableman is the star of this show, and if her handle seems somewhat unconventional, her delivery is anything but. She’s a soul singer in the truest sense, zealous and invested, a talent whose twist of a phrase and adroit enunciation indicates she’s well versed in her craft. From the searing first stanzas of “So Fine,” through “Dink’s Song” and its resplendent serenade, and on to the torch song testimonial “All the Beautiful Ladies,” Ableman’s powerful performances create a consistently emphatic impression. With all due respect to her colleagues, Shenandoah makes The Night shine bright. – Lee Zimmerman
Lee Zimmerman is a contributor to a variety of publications, including Blurt, M Music & Musicians, New Times, Goldmine and Amplifier
This review appears courtesy of Amplifier, 50,000 Watts of Non-Stop Indie Rock http://amplifiermagazine.blogspot.com/
