Album: On The Way /  Artist: Abra Moore /  11 tracks: 46:28 /  On The Street Now /  Sarathan Records

Every once in a while an artist comes along, whose music is so beautiful and original that it takes your breath away. Abra Moore is such a singer/songwriter. Her album On The Way has lush charts, soft melodies, gorgeous vocals and she is a great storyteller. The Grammy Award nominee’s soft pop style could easily be referred to as Avant-garde.

The CD opens with “Into The Sunset,” a song written by Moore, as were all eleven tracks on the album, and this song sets the tone for what is a magical musical journey. Drummer Pat Mastelotto and Jeff Hellmer (electric piano) establish a great gentle rhythm line for Moore’s ethereal vocals. Will Sexton’s deep vocals that enter about two thirds of the way through “In The Sunset,” are wonderful and provide a nice contrast to Moore.

Producer Mitch Watkins who also engineered this project created a wonderful environment for Moore, surrounding her with a well balanced effort from all the musicians and this CD is mixed ooooooooohhhhh so well.  If you cannot fall in love with songs like “After All These Years,” well you are missing out on some really great music. Moore sings effortlessly and as her voice rises and falls, the musicians support her not compete with her.

The ghostly refrains of “Sugarite,” judging by the companion video are meant to reflect the beauty of Sugarite State Park which shares its borders with New Mexico and Colorado. As she accompanies herself on acoustic guitar, Moore’s vocals at times transition into part yodel, part vocalese. If the music captures your imagination, you may want to view the video at youtube.

Two songs on this CD, the title track, “On The Way,” a gently seductive love ballad and “Sorry,” appear to be part of the same story, married together by gentle melodies and what appear, to be a programmed muted trumpet (a trumpeter does not appear in the credits). “On The Way,” anticipates what might be, while “Sorry,” tells a tale of what might have been. Both songs exist in a gauze like, dreamy ambience.

“I Believe,” injects a little more up tempo pop into the album On The Way, while the acoustic, gently seductive “On The Way,” The sitar on “Birthday Song,” is enchanting, an a treat to be thoroughly enjoyed.

Moore’s last CD Strangest Places, brought her critical acclaim and it is difficult to imagine that On The Way will not bring the Austin, Texas native (born in California, raised in Hawaii), more of the same.

Moore regularly performs at Reed’s Jazz & Supper Club in Austin, Texas.  

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Reviewed November 2007