Imagine having your life long dream dangled in front of your face
but if you accept it, it will essentially be making a deal with the devil. That was the dilemma Sharon Little faced a few years back when she was offered a recording contract from a major label, but the person offering didn't care that she had a seductive, soothing and sultry voice that harkens the heavens to open; all he saw was an eye-catching female and wanted to concoct a pop starlet high on style and low on substance. Fortunately Sharon Little walked away from the deal knowing that if she accepted it, she would have betrayed herself in the process. It's a good thing she did, as she is currently the support act on the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss tour playing to sold-out crowds all across the United States who by the end of her set aren't just receptive, but on their feet roaring with approval. It's almost impossible to believe that Sharon Little began 2008 waiting tables without a record contract. Over the course of eleven scrupulously organic songs Sharon Little channels the blues, pop, country, soul, rock n' roll and every other musical landscape imaginable with raw gusto and a storming vocals on her CBS debut Perfect Time For A Breakdown. To stick a musical style on her would be limiting. I wouldn't dare compare her to anyone because even though she's influenced by dozens of people, her voice is wholly unique. Her vocals are as impressive as a virtuosic soloist; one moment they're a subtle slice of home-grown bliss and the next they're delivering a piercing and fierce vocal howl. The beauty of these two extremes is they both send shivers down your spine. Most importantly, she has the songs to support the voice.
Right from the opening six words, "I can hear a telephone ringing", Little's sly and swaggering vocal delivery makes you stand up and immediately take notice. The lead-off track, "Follow That Sound" builds until her smoky-sweet voice singes your ear drums with a performance that is sexual and searing simultaneously. She evokes sex with her voice better than any stripper on a pole and with keeping her clothes on; that's what I call talent. The rest of the album is a sedate yet transfixing listening experience as I felt as if I was being seduced by a beautiful woman from across the room. Each of the songs has a crafty blend of melancholy longing and wistfulness that are laced with sunny melodies.
"Accidently" aims for timeliness with its lovely chorus, while the frolicking "Spaceship" dazzles with its golden harmonies and abundance of hooks. "Set You Free" is a warm vintage world-weary ballad where her vocal embellishes the esteemed lyrics and provides a truly haunting atmosphere. "Try" is a memorable ringer that once again is a showcase for the multi-styling of Little's blues-drenched voice that belts out her soul-searching lyrics with seductive finesse. "Ooh Wee" is winking as it is giggly with its tongue twisting chorus that is nothing short of alluring. "What Gets In The Way" is earnest, ambitious and is nothing short of transcendent with its bluesy backbeat. Behind all of this talent is not just a pretty face, but a soul who is singing from experience. She doesn't just sing well, she makes you believe every word. This is something no one can be taught and can only come from looking inward and throwing your life experiences into the song. Little began writing songs at the age of sixteen as a way to deal with the unexpected death of one of her friends and it shows. There's an emotive depth to these songs not found on most records today. She lives these songs. The years of struggle and heartache have served her well as she isn't just a new pop princess or a flash in the pan, but an artist
and one you should keep your eye on
very closely.
Anthony Kuzminski is a Chicago based writer and Special Features Editor for the antiMusic Network and his daily writings can be read at The Screen Door and can be contacted at thescreendoor AT gmail DOT com.
