CD REVIEW: Newcomer serves up spiritual slice of life

By Diana Nollen

Her name may be Newcomer, but “Before and After” is her 12th CD on the Rounder label and her music is seasoned like the best mix of ginger and molasses.

Her lyrics and vocals are dense and rich, with an array of rootsy instrumentals adding sugar and spice. Her Quaker spirituality binds it all together.

The result is folk music comfort food for the soul.

Every song is dripping with wisdom, poetry and insight, embraced in the hug of her earth mother alto deep tones.

The music is gentle, with a mix of banjo, steel guitar, cello, organ, bass and percussion generally reined in, but occasionally turning up some heat. Beautiful, tight harmonies weave in and out, beginning with the perfect pairing of Newcomer and Mary Chapin Carpenter on the title track.

The bonus track is Newcomer's biggest stylistic departure, a delightful take on Adam and Eve's task of naming the animals. While it's great fun for adults, “A Crash of Rhinoceros” could easily incite some foot stomping among the kiddie collective, too.

Throughout the CD, Newcomer explores themes of forgiveness and redemption, peace and tranquility, miracles and marvels, the simple pleasures and complexities of life.

“Hush” is the most lovely melding of her vocals and poetry. This song of forgiveness begins with the gorgeous phrase, “You can rest your head upon my heart / And we'll curl into a question mark / And I'll hold you in the arms of Hush,” then takes your breath away with “Let the silence be the place we meet / In the space between heart beats.”

The Indiana singer-songwriter will bring her soothing sound to CSPS  at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, for a concert sure to take the chill off the February air.

FAST TAKEInformation: www.legionarts.org/music/Newcomer.htm or www.carrienewcomer.com

Title: “Before and After”

Artist: Carrie Newcomer

Label: Rounder

Performance: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Tickets: $17 in advance at www.iowatix.com or $21 at the door