Album: Angels and Eagles  /  Eve Selis /  14 tracks /  Country - Americana 

The more that you listen to the CD Angels and Eagles, from country rock singer/songwriter Eve Selis the more you appreciate her music. Her vocals are rich and possess just enough grit to add authenticity to her earthy lyrics. The five-time San Diego Music Award winner’s songs possess contagious melodies and superb guitar riffs from Mark Intravaia and Jim Soldi, as well as a solid bass line by Rick Nash.  The other members of Selis’ band are, Larry Grano (drums, percussion, vocals), Sharon Whyte (piano, B3, accordion, Wurlitzer, electric piano, vocals). The band is supported by a number of guest instrumentalists and vocalists.

The guitar intro on the third track, ”I Believe In Love,” sends out a signal that this is going to be a very good tune, and Selis doesn’t disappoint as fairy tale romance meets harsh reality when the singer realizes, “Once upon a time I just couldn’t see / How much compromise / Was slowly killing me.” The song, which is a collaborative writing effort by Selis, Intravaia and Kim McLean, sends a strong, clear message to those who wake up one day, realizing that they lost themselves, while chasing a dream called, “hopeless romance.” 

“Street I Grew Up On,” is a bit whimsical and holds onto the precious memories of the childhood years. Dennis Caplinger’s subtle banjo picking adds a folksy element, while Grano’s kick drum is ever present in the background.  Lyrically this song reminds me a bit of Reba McEntire and Dolly Partin, however, it works better for me than Reba’s efforts, because Selis is less dramatic, and she is a little earthier than Dolly’s sweet personality sometimes allows her to be.

The cover of Patty Griffin’s “Goodbye,” a song about the unexpected death of a loved one, will prompt tears from many listeners. The lyrics suggest an individual who took their own life. With Caplinger lending the song a lamenting violin voice, Selis’ emotive lines, “and I wonder where you are / and if the pain ends when you die / and I wonder if there was some better way to say goodbye,” are heart wrenching. The feeling of helplessness and the illness that pervades those who suffer from severe depression is depicted in the words, “’Cause you can’t make somebody see /with the simple words you say / all their beauty from within / sometimes they just look away.”  This may not be the flashiest song on Angels and Eagles, but it certainly is the most powerful and it is a song that needs to be heard.

The accordion introduction to “Touching The Eiffel Tower,” is quaint and disarming, as Selis breaks into an upbeat song, that celebrates life and instead of singing about toxic love, she now shouts out, letting the world know she is in love. Her fanciful closing stanza, “I’m touching the Eiffel Tower / I’m building castles in Egypt’s sand / I’m dancing in Spain, across London and / right to the milky way / the universe is ours-- / I’m touching the Eiffel Tower,” provide much needed levity at this point on the album.

If you enjoy two-stepping then you should try on for size the eighth track, “One Day At A Time,” which is a good working woman or man’s song. This song moves quickly, it is guitar driven and when she needs to, Selis proves she can growl out a line. Grab your Stetson and your dance partner, because you do not want to be left sitting while this tune plays.

It is Sharon Whyte’s B3 that combines with Selis’ vocals to create the sense of loss in the hurtin’ “I Love You Away From Me.” The B3 adds blues overtones, but not so much, so that it detracts from the song remaining a solid country tune.

Another collaborative effort from Selis, Intravania and McLean, “1000 Kisses,” is sure to be one of those love songs that concertgoers just love to sing out. It is just a feel good song that is not over the top, but does let you know that the one delivering the message is happy to be in love.

The band and Selis rock out on the last track, “Welcome To Paradise,” and the guitarists deliver some spellbinding, note bending riffs. Did we happen to say that this song has really, really good guitar work, by Intravaia and Soldi? 

If you enjoy country and Americana music, then Angels and Eagles from Eve Selis would be a great investment. However, this CD should come with a warning because Selis will take you from feelings of euphoria to heartbreak. She sings passionately and she is backed by excellent musicians, whose playing matches her emotive vocals.

To listen to the tunes from this CD as well as more of Eve Selis' music visit her myspace site.

Reviewed August 2008

All written, photographic and graphic content contained on www.rivetingriffs.com remains the property of Riveting Riffs Ltd., a registered Canadian company, and the contributing writers, artists and photographers. The content on this site is protected by copyright and all rights are reserved. The content may not be reproduced in print, appear on other websites or be transmitted electronically without the written permission of Riveting Riffs Ltd.  ©