Bird Song is an autumn collection of acoustic pop and jazz songs that warm the soul with uplifting songs like "Our World" and "Bird Song," co-written with Wailin' Jenny Nicky Mehta. Alternately melancholy and playful, she ... more »tears it up on the sassy country number "High Heeled Woman" and on the sexy blues song "Bathtub" while "I Don't Wanna Wake Up Today" finds Heather at the top of her game, showing she is a songbird of the first order. Featuring Crooked Still's Aoife O'Donovan on harmonies, the CD soars with lush vocals and a swinging band. Heather produced the album herself in collaboration with engineer Kent Heckman and the talented members of her band--Jed Wilson (keyboards), Karl Doty (bass), Lyle Brewer (guitars) and Joel Arnow (drums). A versatile group of musicians, Heather's band breathes a vibrant energy into her songs, allowing them to take flight. A truly enchanting album, Bird Song is acoustic pop at its best--thoughtful and soulful and sure to be a hit with fans of Norah Jones and Alison Krauss.« less
Bird Song is an autumn collection of acoustic pop and jazz songs that warm the soul with uplifting songs like "Our World" and "Bird Song," co-written with Wailin' Jenny Nicky Mehta. Alternately melancholy and playful, she tears it up on the sassy country number "High Heeled Woman" and on the sexy blues song "Bathtub" while "I Don't Wanna Wake Up Today" finds Heather at the top of her game, showing she is a songbird of the first order. Featuring Crooked Still's Aoife O'Donovan on harmonies, the CD soars with lush vocals and a swinging band. Heather produced the album herself in collaboration with engineer Kent Heckman and the talented members of her band--Jed Wilson (keyboards), Karl Doty (bass), Lyle Brewer (guitars) and Joel Arnow (drums). A versatile group of musicians, Heather's band breathes a vibrant energy into her songs, allowing them to take flight. A truly enchanting album, Bird Song is acoustic pop at its best--thoughtful and soulful and sure to be a hit with fans of Norah Jones and Alison Krauss.
Gorgeous vocals & a great variety of original songs
J. Weber | Washington State USA | 11/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anyone who has heard Heather Masse sing with The Wailin' Jennys knows that she has a gorgeous voice with an amazing range. And anyone who has heard her numerous appearances on A Prairie Home Companion - eight in just the last eleven months - knows how incredibly versatile her voice is. During those guest appearances she's sung music by everyone from George Gershwin to Bob Dylan, from Johnny Mercer to Iris Dement, and from Hank Williams to Franz Schubert, and she's done it stunningly. She even makes Garrison Keillor sound great in duets.
"Bird Song" highlights both Masse's gorgeous voice and its tremendous versatility. But it also shows that she's a talented songwriter. She wrote the words and music for all thirteen songs on the album with the exception of the lyrics of one song, which she co-wrote with Nicky Mehta, a fellow member of The Wailin' Jennys. While "Bird Song" is primarily jazz-influenced pop, it shows off Masse's songwriting versatility as well. It ranges from the haunting jazz-folk ballad "Chosen," to the inspirational, gospel-tinged "Over the Mountain," to the sassy and rollicking country boogie "High Heeled Woman." It slips from the sultry jazz-blues of a steaming-hot "Bathtub" into the playfully seductive pop "Mittens."
Singing harmony on seven of the songs is Aoife O'Donovan, lead singer of Crooked Still and member of the folk-noir trio Sometymes Why. O'Donovan's gentle, breathy soprano perfectly complements Masse's round, rich alto. Completing the package is outstanding instrumental accompaniment. Especially notable are East Coast guitarist Lyle Brewer and West Coast keyboard player Jed Wilson, both of whom, like Masse and O'Donovan, are alumni of the New England Conservatory. During instrumental interludes Brewer's guitar is a total joy to listen to, but during the vocals it never overpowers the real focus of this album: Masse's extraordinary voice.
So check out one of the most talented young vocalists around. Dance with a High Heeled Woman and enjoy a steaming-hot Bathtub - but put on Mittens, because Bird Song will knock your socks off.
"
This is an amazing album
William A. Duncan | Boston, MA | 11/19/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like Nora or Emmy Lou, you've got to listen to Heather Masse. It's a purity and natural approach to singing that they have in common. She doesn't use easy tricks to decorate a song. She sings the song for what it's about.
A couple of these are love songs of a kind you don't really hear. They're original, un-ironic and pure, just like her voice.
The more you listen to this album, the more you want to listen."
You Can Listen to This One A Lot
John Wayne | Arizona | 11/20/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD already (and I've only had it a couple days). I first heard Heather Masse when randomly listening to Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion. She sang Mittens, which I was delighted to find included on the CD. I was so enamored with her enchanting voice that I went home and immediately began looking to see if she had a CD. I ended up buying 2 Wailin' Jennys CD's when I discovered she was part of this trio. Amazon thoughtfully took note of my purchase and recommended this one to me when it was due to release.
The musical styles featured on the CD range from Jazzy to Rockabilly. I can just hear Lyle Lovett doing High Heeled Woman! The first two tracks on the CD feel like lilting lullabies.
Mittens impressed me every bit as much as it did when I heard it the first time, that Sunday afternoon on the radio.
Another reviewer said it well, she doesn't overly adorn. Her phrasing is pleasant, clear, and smooth. At times she is reminiscent of Rickie Lee Jones (in Hollywood), at others she sounds a little like Jennifer Warnes (who I haven't listened to in years).
This is a good buy."
Tearin' at the heartstrings!
Karen Goudelock | 11/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have never even heard of Heather Masse or The Wailin' Jennys for that matter. I was searching through the new releases and gave her a listen. I immediately downloaded this new CD and am listening to it as I type this review. This girl is amazing! I'm a big Eva Cassidy fan and Heather certainly has that pure voice like Eva. This is certainly a diverse selection of music, something for everyone. I am definitely a new fan of this very talented young woman. Kudos, Heather!"
Beautiful performance, production and songwriting.
A. Boyd | Boston MA | 02/28/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Heather Masse is the newest member of the Wailin' Jennys, and Bird Song, Masse's 1st solo album, is a notable release. This album's essence may originate with The Jennys' contemporary folk feel, but it lingers more consistently in light jazz/rock territory. Her alto voice is smooth, sultry and earthy - the production lush and relaxing. Masse is a talented singer and musician (she plays upright bass), but her greatest strength may be her effortless and elegant songwriting. See my reviews for Wailin' Jennys too.
GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Jazz Vocal.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Wailin' Jennys, Shawn Colvin, Alison Krauss.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: "I Don't Want To Wake Up Today," "Hollywood," "Morning's Breaking the Rules," "Mittens.""