CD Review: Casey Connor "Close Whisper" Studio G, 2003
Kelly Myers
For the Times Standard
To scribe beautiful music on your own and then to capture the sounds of others doing the same is what "Close Whisper," is briefly about. The album was pressed only 1,000 times and is available at the Works in Arcata and Eureka.
Slow, evocative and rich with melody "Close Whisper" is instantly appreciated. Casey Connor's traditional influence is new as folk and as hot as India.
The songs, vocals, guitar, piano, whistles and accordion are attributed to Connor on the 10-track CD.
Also melting into this collection is accompaniment by notables; Geoffrey Daugherty (upright bass), Sebastian Link (electric bass), Tami Pallingston (electric/upright bass), Shao Way Wu (upright bass), Michel Navedo (trumpet), Jim Hatcimonji (violin), Kris DiNoto (drums), Michael Schwartz (drums), Michael Modjeska (drums) and Sean Bohannon (Happy Hammer).
Originally from Ohio, Connor studied in St. Louis later moving to the Bay area, then traveling extensively through India, Nepal and Europe before residing in Humboldt County in 2000. He was drawn to the area for the natural beauty and for the environmental activism.
"I compulsively obsessed over piano licks in the basement during my childhood," Connor said. "I picked up a guitar at 18. I also sang in an a capela group for several years."
Connor's natural gift with music shines through. His self-taught background authenticates the folk feel. His stay in India, the Eastern mystery (where he studied sitar with Usted Imrat Khan in Calcutta), and his at ease expression blend yet another diamond in the rough of modern music. His tenor and compositions compete with crooners and post-modernists like Rufus Wainwright or Belle and Sebastian which is to say all aforementioned artists keep a steady beat of intrigue. He connects with "folky, groovy, and jazzy" when describing his music and claims his influences are obvious: Ani DiFranco, Paul Simon, The Indigo Girls, old-time blues and jazz, classical Indian music and the hazy memories of rhythm and blues records his mother played for him as a child.
"Every body looks familiar at 3 a.m.," sings Connor on "Inherent" track one of the CD. Without giving too much away, I know exactly what he means.
A convincing aspect of this CD include exceptional artwork by Seattle artist Shannon Bowley. Also, the only 1,000 pressed edition contains in it's recycled jewel cases to which the artist states, "As a result it may exhibit some superficial cosmetic issues." And of course, there's the aforementioned lovely music.
"'I'll have what he's having, he's having a hard time," sings Connor in track two, titled "Soft Spoken" where he also gracefully plays the piano and guitar picks while Navedo guides subtly with the trumpet. It invigorates the broken heart, at least I think it does.
He's not trying to sell anything which is refreshing, yet he is: Here rests the existential fare. It's no small concern to create a CD from the ground up and Connor seemed exhausted by the process.
Yet he is anxious to create new material. He sang an Indigo girls song at the Peace March in Eureka last month and a new one that he created just for the event, but that's about it for his performances.