Working Woman
Mpress, 2021
8/10
Originally from Alabama and now residing in Austin, the singer-songwriter Grace Pettis brings a wealth of influences to this first record on the Mpress label, and she’s got an all star cast of very talented women to help her songs glow with grit and melody.
Pettis starts the listen with the thick and spirited title track that abruptly gets calm, soulful and full of strong storytelling before erupting into a soaring display of roots rock, and “Landon” follows with help from Indigo Girls as breezy country nods enter her warm and soothing formula.
As we enter the middle, Dar Williams is present on “Any Kind Of Girl”, as a bare climate of poetic folk rock radiates much beauty, while “Never Get It Back” welcomes The Watson Twins as the atmosphere alternates between soft and reflective to busy with crashing percussion, dreamy backing vocals and dense guitars. “Paper Boat”, an especially great tune, then recruits Mary Bragg for the piano and pedal steel friendly album highlight that’s intimate, eloquent and just so moving.
Further down the line, “Pick Me Up” benefits from Ruthie Foster’s expressive pipes as near gospel territory is reached amid the elegant piano and rhythmic guitars and drums, and “Mean Something” exits the listen in Gina Chavez’s company, where Pettis’ versatile pipes flow alongside gentle guitar in a very memorable finish.
A very well thought out and powerful listen that truly showcases Pettis’ diverse songwriting abilities, the company she keeps is nothing short of awe inspiring as she impresses in both loud, rockin’ tunes as well as serene moments of grace.
Travels well with: Maia Sharp- Mercy Rising; Rachael Sage- Character