Review!
Summer 2004 . Vol. 48 #2 Sing
Out!
page 127
LEELA and ELLIE GRACE
Leela and EIIie Grace
Leela
and Ellie Grace soar off this disc like a breath of fresh air in the
smoky atmosphere of singer-songwriters.
This lively recording, exquisitely produced by Pete Sutherland,
is truly a joy to behold. Leela
and Ellie, daughters and former bandmates of Paul and Win Grace of
Missouri, begin with the harmonies you’d expect from sisters who
have been singing together their entire lives.
Between them they play guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin as
well as percussive dancing. Sutherland
seasons the recording with a half dozen other players, allowing the
Graces to create an uniquely perfect setting for each song. Some
are simple and/ or completely acoustic, others are more arranged and
contemporary, but overall this CD easily fits the acoustic folk genre.
The terrific sound created by the Graces would
mean little were it not for their stellar taste in music, which ranges
far and wide, but returns again and again to the themes of love and
harmony. Of the 13 songs
on the CD, Leela contributed [four] and Ellie one. The remainder are a
mixture of traditional and some of today’s best folk songwriters.
Instrumentals, including those with dance, breakup the intensity of
the lyrics. Hearing Carla
Sciaky’s ecological plea “Song That Bird Sings” is a real
pleasure. Tim O’Brien
and Gary Nicholson’s “More Love” is a gem, and Robin and Linda
Williams’ “Streets of Gold” becomes a real hymn from the
Graces’ hearts and voices. The
most arresting song on the CD is “In My Name (You Shall Love),”
Leela’s timely peace anthem that commands replacing aggression with
love, beseeching humans not to kill in God’s name. The sisters powerfully
perform it and intelligently follow it a cappella with the traditional
“Down in the Valley to Pray.”
If you’re hesitant to take a chance on new artists, rest
assured this CD will leave you in a state of grace. — RWarr
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