Looking For A Feeling
Stellar Cat, 2020
8/10
Listen to Looking For A Feeling
The veteran songstress Pam Tillis returns with her 11th studio album but first in many years, and much like everything she’s done in her esteemed career, the Grammy nominated artist sings purposefully amid breezy, flowing song craft.
Tillis starts the introspective album with soft strumming on the country-pop flavored “Looking For A Feeling”, as her expressive and rich vocals suit the mood perfectly, and “Demolition Angel” follows with a bit more twang in the soulful and rootsy setting that even brings in a harp.
Near the middle, “Last Summer’s Wine” recruits some folk qualities in the gentle and pretty atmosphere, while “Lady Music” soars high with fluid Americana. “Dark Turn Of Mind”, one of the album’s best, then offers more classic country ideas as Tills displays her precise yet playful vocal prowess in the Gillian Welch and David Rawlings cover.
Close to the end, “Karma” finds a rhythmic place to reside in one of the fuller selections, and the reprise version of “Better Friends” exits the listen bare and intimate, where keys and pedal steel highlight the contemplative climate.
Now 30+ years into her career, Tillis sounds better than ever, and even touches on jazz and funk in this flawless collection of introspective, wise and graceful tunes. Now in her 60’s, Tillis shows no signs of waning quality in her art, and we’re all better off for it.
Travels well with: Kathy Mattea- Pretty Bird; Gretchen Peters- Dancing With The Beast