Circumstance
Self-Released, 2023
9/10
The Los Angeles singer-songwriter and guitarist Alice Howe made quite an impression with her debut album, Visions, and this follow up is equally well done, where her honest, authentic and emotional qualities are front and center across 11 warm tracks.
“You’ve Been Away So Long” starts the listen with Howe’s soaring and expressive pipes alongside Freebo’s cozy bass and Will McFarlane’s spirited electric guitar in the lush climate, and “Somebody’s New Lover” now follows with an upbeat demeanor that benefits from Howe’s acoustic guitar prowess as well as Clayton Ivey’s Hammond B3 organ.
Further on, “Things I’m Not Saying” lands in intimate territory, where Vinny Ciesielski’s trumpet and Mike Guinn’s sax help cultivate an R&B mood, while “Something Calls To Me” places Jeff Fielder on slide guitar for the swampy blues album highlight.
Approaching the end, “Travelin’ Soul” touches on country ideas amid Justin Holder’s agile drumming and Howe’s vivid storytelling, and “It’s How You Hold Me” exits with a stirring presence of Mark Jordan’s piano and poetic singing populating the soulful ballad.
Fans of Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile and Bonnie Raitt won’t have any problems enjoying Howe’s craft, and at the rate she produces quality music, it won’t be long until her impact mirrors those legends, too.
Travels well with: Ali Sperry- In Front Of Us; Susan Cattaneo- All Is Quiet