Search - Pam Gadd :: Long Road

Pam Gadd - The Long Road

Gerry Griffith | Detroit, MI USA | 02/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although this is Pam Gadd's debut solo album, it comes across as a stellar effort from an accomplished performer. The songs on the album, both the originals and other material, fit her voice like a glove. Her vocals are impressive in their strength, pure melodic quality and depth of feeling reminiscent of early Mary Chapin-Carpenter and the pre-pop Dolly Parton. The instrumentation and mix on every track is superb, yet the album defies categorization into any one genre. It is, at the same time, equal parts bluegrass, new country and folk. The blend is unparalleled and well worth repeated listenings. Imagine the voice of Allison Kraus with an edge and the simple instrumentation of a bluegrass band and you will be close to imagining the pure audio joy that is The Long Road. From the opening number 40, 80 or 10, to the haunting originals The Grass is Greener and the title track, to Pam's self-penned instrumental Ferris Wheel to close out the set there is not a weak track on the album. I for one can hardly wait for Pam's next solo effort!"