Brenda David

Kirby Raines - Ink 19 music magazine

Brenda David Better Part of Me Cadillac Records Brenda David approaches music with the seasoned skills of a longtime vet. Her voice exudes self-confidence and charm and not false sentimentality or forced angst. And although she branches out into different styles on this CD, her singing follows a straightforward path of jazz-styled chill-out calmness. She never gets overly emotional even on a topic as sad and shocking as The Muslim women who are forced to live their lives with their faces covered and their rights severed ("Behind the Veil"). Co-produced by David herself, this is a polished, classy affair aching for major-label status. With the rise of online marketing, we are seeing more unsigned solo acts renting quality studio time and surrounding themselves with top-notch talent. David is easily among the best of the current crop. On "Call Your Name," David presents herself as a country girl with a spiritual heart and a poet's eye for imagery: "It rolls in like thunder/Settles in like rain/A mist against the window/Thoughts gathered on the pane/Against the darkness of the night." Yes, the lady can write as well as she can sing. There's a bit of roots rock in David, and of all the chameleon shape shifting she does I find myself enjoying that part of her the best, which takes hold on "When I'm Gone" and "Come In From the Rain." I have a soft spot for jangling guitars, and it's refreshing to hear a shot of Americana sung by a woman. On the title cut, David slips into a jazz mood, and while her laidback vocals seem best suited for that, she has no problems at all adjusting to the mood swings of her muse. Ink 19 music magazine Kyrby Raine cdbaby.com/cd/davidb2

Adam Harrington - whisperin and hollerin

'DAVID, BRENDA' 'Better Part of Me' - Label: 'Cadillac Records' - Genre: 'Pop' - Release Date: '2006' Our Rating: Singer/songwriter Brenda David (http://www.brendadavid.com) isn't content to stay within the framework of one genre. On "Better Part of Me," she wears several different hats yet manages to produce a consistently good and emotionally stirring record. Thankfully, David's eclecticism doesn't turn the record into an unfocused mess; the stylistic detours (for the lack of a better term - David can't be categorized) add distinct flavors to the album intead of suggesting a short attention span. David begins the record with the jazzy shuffle of the title track in which Latin rhythms and some wonderfully pretty acoustic guitars complement the icy coolness of her voice. It has a breezy air that sweeps the rest of the CD. However, right after that David plunges into '80s soft rock with "Second Chance"; its upbeat MOR pop would've made it a hit on Adult Contemporary radio stations circa 1983, especially with those sugar-sweetened keyboards. It's among my favourite songs on the LP simply because of the innocent time period it reflects. But, as I mentioned in the start, David never sticks to one genre as she explores country music on "Call Your Name" and "I'll Be the One"; Adult Album Alternative on "When I'm Gone" and "Come In From the Rain"; and even world music on "Behind the Veil," a powerful song that blasts how women are treated in the Muslim world. Illuminated by sitars and violins, "Behind the Veil" is a striking artistic as well as eye-opening social statement. author: Adam Harrington

Keith Hannaleck

Brenda David's music is like walking into a dimly lit upper class restaurant and reading a menu of choices. This is adult contemporary pop, rock, jazz, and all of the above mixed in to formulate a palette of color and sound that is satisfying and very relaxing. The lady has a nice approach, a smooth clear voice that assures you that what she is vocalizing means something. I know it sounds like a novelty in these times...there are actually some independent artists out there that make good music with lyrics you actually can understand and relate to. I find it rather refreshing. "Call Your Name" and "I'll Be the One" are country-pop tunes that I can hear playing on the radio and "Better Part of Me,' the lead off track with a jazz-pop feel to it, is one of the standouts. The artist gets some stellar musical support from a list of musicians that obviously have earned the respect they deserve in the industry, at least amongst those that know something about music and how to make it, namely Ms. David. Its like they say in business, every great manager is surrounded by a supporting cast that helps to propel that individual to success, and it works both ways, it's a reciprocal relationship and that is what I hear going on consistently on Better Part of Me. The choice of tracks and the tempo set for each is perfect on this recording. I like the shifting moods of the lyrical content. I can appreciate the rock solid consistency this CD has, especially once it all boils down and you get to the meat and potatoes of each song. You hear everything you are supposed to all set to some music that pulls you in and makes you pay attention to the vocalist while following her muse right along with her-just like the pied piper. I like this album because it feels real, sincere, with no additives that are bad for your health spiritually, in fact it has the opposite reaction, its all good and you walk away feeling like you should give it another spin. "Behind The Veil" makes a powerful statement about a woman behind the veil of her own prison walls living with the Taliban. This song comes out of nowhere and really snaps you to attention after the previous five tracks, which deal with the varying states of human emotions. It's quite the segue that makes you rethink what this artist is all about. Again, it's all good and worth pondering some more.