[FM] review of the Paula Joy Welter CD "Still Hidden Places"

[John Q Public]

Below is my review of the Paula Joy Welter CD "Still Hidden Places"

To go to the folk and celtic CD review index:

http://www.icogitate.com/~celticfolkmusic/index.html

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"Still Hidden Places"
by Paula Joy Welter

copyright 2005
produced by Greg Orton and Paula Joy Welter
Starry Sky Music (BMI)
<http://www.paulajoywelter.com>http://www.paulajoywelter.com 
<mailto:paulajoy at calweb.com>

This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 5/06
"Kevin's Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews"

Sometimes life gets in the way. Other times, it is finances. For a 
few, it's writer's block.

Regardless of the reason, do welcome Paula Joy Welter back. Her 
initial CD, with that heart-melting, tear-inducing cut "Joanna's 
Gift," came out way back in 1995. Now she has issued her second 
release, offering another distillation of life's ups-and-downs, 
filtered through a prism of wisdom.

The initial cut, "A Distant Shore," never directly mentions it, but 
sure seems to be about Amelia Earhart, the female pilot who broke oh 
so many barriers but the final one, gravity. "Deep Within Wisconsin 
Green," detailing the moving away from family and home of Welter's 
sister, contains this evocative line: "...We waved goodbye an ending 
just begun..." Dan Barker on cello adds to the appeal of this offering.

A tribute to her parents 50th wedding anniversary, Welter's "Where 
Two Rivers Meet" twines asymmetry and concurrence. The chorus:

"...One knows what the other can't say
In the dissonant places, love is revealed, each day
He stands like an oak tree, she bends like a wild rose
Where two rivers meet, harmonies flow..."

Written while participating in a Bob Franke songwriting workshop, the 
laudatory "Broken Wings Mend," a re-envision of heaven, was 
influenced by 12 years of Catholic school  attendance. Abetted by 
Norton Buffalo on harmonica, Welter depicts a Vietnam vet and his 
neighbor serendipitously finding salvation through each other in 
"Rivers Run Deep." "Uncharted Skies" is a companion piece with the 
harmonic convergence of two physically damaged souls.
With nary an Xbox or text-messaging cell phone in sight, "On Steeds 
That Could Fly" rejoices Welter's childhood play. "The Truth In The 
Gravy" humorously contains a long overlooked Biblical revelation.

This is another contemplative offering, mixed of wistfulness, 
acceptance and even joy. Welter's chosen material and her 
presentation leads one to believe she has traveled life's high and 
low roads, not simply surviving, but experiencing elemental beauty 
and knowledge throughout the entire journey.

Welter, on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, is backed by Norton 
Buffalo on harmonica and bass harmonica; "Sneaky Pete" Kleinow on 
pedal steel; Ritt Henn on acoustic bass; Greg Orton on fretless bass; 
Dan Barker on cello; Gabe Witcher on fiddle; Michael Witcher on 
dobro; Shawn Skylark on piano; Fred Faiella on accordion and Steve 
Gillette and Cindy Mangsen on harmony vocals.


Track List:

    * A Distant Shore (4:22)
    * Deep Within Wisconsin Green (4:39)
    * Tumbleweed Waltz (3:03)
    * Gone The Rainbow (4:30) Paul Stookey, Mary Travers, Peter 
Yarrow, Milton Okun
    * Where Two Rivers Meet (4:28)
    * Broken Wings Mend (3:25)
    * Rivers Run Deep (5:38)
    * Uncharted Skies (5:56)
    * On Steeds That Could Fly (3:33)
    * Where Sparrow Choirs Sing (3:43)
    * The Truth In The Gravy (5:08)
All songs by Paula Joy Welter, except as noted.