Musical Style Pop/Rock
Influences Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, The Beatles,Daniel Lanois, Sparklehorse

Item Description
Plastic jewel case, color booklet, 10 tracks

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LEGATO GRACE SHIMMERS AND SHINES
BY WILL BEDARD
THE RECORD-REVIEW-NEW YORK

The musical phoenix known as folk rock has once again risen from the ashes. The genre first took wing in the 1960's with the Byrds. It's been shot down many times since. First, by the screaming feedback of acid rock, then by punks spitting fury and finally by grunge navel-gazing. But once again, folk rock's flying on shimmering harmonies and pop hooks. Some of the purveyors of this clean sound have recently landed in New York by way of Canada. Mr. Dall shoulders the songwriting/guitar playing responsibilities in the band, but he is not alone in his musical endeavors. Cheri Rose plays bass and sings. Her ethereal looks are matched by an angelic voice. Ms. Rose's vocals interweave with Mr. Dall's, creating melancholy harmonies unheard in many a moon. Pop music has been in dire need of harmonies and backing vocals since the days of the British Invasion and the American reaction to it. Steven Dall and Cheri Rose offer an aural oasis in these days where a metal vocalist's shrieking is considered to be singing. While the Legato Grace songs might not be folk rock in the classic sense, Dall's muse is the same as many of those earlier influences; Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Stark imagery abounds in Dall's songs. Both he and Rose are natives of Canada, hence their identification with folk's rural roots. Appropriately, one of his originals is entitled "Being... from a small town." Some of the lyrics invoke images of aching and heartbreak. "And words get worse each time we meet/ so, baby let it go/ surprised to find your last to know." Pop usually avoids the subjects of loneliness and melancholia, but Steven Dall and Cheri Rose embrace them. Perhaps Legato Grace should be pigeonholed under the more fitting category of "raw pop." They have one CD out and are currently at work on another. The former is available at their gigs. Legato Grace has begun playing around New York City, but they currently have a Monday night residence at the Tap House in Bedford Hills. The band usually begins around 10 p.m., after dinner has been served. Check 'em out before they move on to the city for good.

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