Megan Burtt | The Oomph Music Blog

A Night for the Ladies

Mar 152010

This post supplements my article on Examiner.com.

Those who know me personally or through other blogs already know that one of my passions is to celebrate and support the voice of the woman in our culture. It isn’t a political thing for me, but rather a deep sense of conviction that God doesn’t play favorites, that the female of our species is blessed with every bit as much giftedness as the male–but in a culture long dominated by men, the talents of women aren’t always seen or acknowledged or taken seriously. That said, some of the most amazing art around is created by women, and I appreciate anything that celebrates the voice and talent of women in our culture, especially when it comes to creativity. So when Angie Stevens headlined a lineup of four top-notch acoustic/vocal female-fronted acts last Friday, my photographer wife Shelby and I made a point to be there.

Of the four acts that appeared at the Toad Tavern that night–Angie Stevens, Wendy Woo, Goldie and the Bears and Megan Burtt–I already knew three of them to be exceptionally talented, so my expectations were pretty high going in. But I’m happy to say that my expectations were even exceeded. It’s rare that I go to a music event where I thoroughly enjoy every performer on the bill–and that even goes for larger tours with big names. This was one of those rare times. Every one of these ladies could easily have carried the show on their own; we got to see all four of them on one stage in one night.

You can catch my full recap of the concert on Examiner.com, but just to give the highlights:

Megan Burtt (whose new record I reviewed here) performed songs from the record and some new tunes, and did a great job opening the show with just a voice and guitar (she had left her band on the road to come home for the show).

Megan Burtt. (Photo: Shelby McQuilkin.)

Goldie and the Bears, the newest band and the one act I had not yet heard, blew me away. Goldie is young, yet has one of the strongest, yet controlled, set of vocal pipes I’ve heard in someone her age. Her band (all guys) has a rich, bluesy, neo-soul vibe that matches her voice. I’m already looking for the CD.

Goldie (Photo: Shelby McQuilkin.)

Wendy Woo and her band filled the dance floor with fans with the first song. This was the third time I’ve heard her perform (once solo, once with the band), and despite a few technical difficulties, this was the strongest set of the three–one of those times when the sound quality was there, the band was together, and the crowd was connecting. Just felt right.

Wendy Woo. (Photo: Shelby McQuilkin.)

Angie Stevens’ set was less like a performance, and more like a jam session with old friends–not to suggest it was less than a good performance, but just that it was relaxed and fun. She’d invited the band Something Underground to join her, and the set was a mixture of performances with different combinations of Angie and the guys and her own bandmates, all done with an infectious energy that just made you love the music right along with them.

Angie Stevens. (Photo: Shelby McQuilkin.)

Thanks, ladies, for sharing your gifts with us. What an awesome evening of music.

Album Review: Megan Burtt “It Ain’t Love”

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Feb 152010

"It Ain't Love" by Megan Burtt

This post is supplementary to my article on Examiner.com.

I’m definitely a fan of local talent, and always appreciate the opportunity to check out new material. But to be honest, now that pretty much everyone and their uncle can make a record, I usually start out not expecting too much. Even among the stuff that isn’t “bad”, there’s so much to compete with that it all sort of blends into a sea of “okay” material, and it takes a little more oomph to rise above the noise.

So when Denver roots-rock singer Megan Burtt‘s new release It Ain’t Love showed up in my mailbox, I put the CD in the car stereo (yes, I’m still early ’90s that way) and drove around, running my errands, half-listening and half-thinking about my errands, to see if anything would arrest my attention.

I got out of the car and went into the store…and I noticed the song I’d been was listening to was still playing in my head. Good sign.

I kept listening. While style-wise there wasn’t much I hadn’t heard before, still these moments of promise kept happening–a powerful lyric, a captivating vocal, an interesting guitar riff. I’d put the CD back on and listen some more. And some more. It wasn’t a lightning-bolt-from-heaven kind of thing; it was more like a slow burn that grew on me…enough to keep me listening, drawing me in. I kept finding these treasure-moments, and I’d go back and listen to those moments again. Yeah, she’s got it, I thought. There’s definitely something there.

It really is a solid recording, well-engineered, musically consistent, good arrangements of the tunes–and it doesn’t sound like it was recorded in someone’s closet. Burtt shows a lot of range, both as a vocalist and a songwriter. Dealing mainly with the darker aspects of love and relationships, the album has a bit of a brooding tone, sometimes angry, sometimes reflective, sometimes cyncial. It plays like a coming-to-grips record, an honest processing of disappointment and pain.

For me, personally, the second half of the record is stronger than the first. The early cuts aren’t turn-offs or anything…just not as much there to hook you, just enough to maybe keep you listening. It’s like the record really starts taking off around the fourth song; and from that point on, you start seeing a lot more of what Megan Burtt is capable of. Surprisingly, the standout moment of the record for me is the middle ballad, “Moves.” Sparse arrangements, passionate-yet-controlled vocals, and a memorable lyric come together and create this sort of magical moment. If all the tracks captured this combination of artistry and passion, the record could easily be a Grammy contender. More, please.

All told, I think It Ain’t Love is a strong showing for a singer-songwriter with lots of promise. Take a listen for yourself, go buy the record, and sit with it awhile, like I did. It will make you a fan. It will be exciting to watch and see what Megan Burtt does next.

Oomph scale: 8.5

Megan Burtt: “It Ain’t Love”
Megan Burtt: “Moves”

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