Episode 031: Merrie Amsterburg
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Merrie Amsterburg starting making music in the late 80's with The Natives, a band that, interestingly, was both signed to Kiss' Gene Simmons record label and worked with producer Richard Gottehrer on a batch of demos. Unfortunately, neither project saw the light of day and ultimately, in 1994, The Natives went their separate ways.
But Amsterburg didn't give up, choosing the role of a singer/songwriter and creating her own distinctive sound and style as she did so. As with two earlier albums of originals, 1997's Season of Rain and 2000's Little Steps, Amsterburg had a low-key, demur style that lures you into her music and makes you pay attention. A good reminder that a whisper can be more powerful than a scream.
Both albums demonstrate Amsterburg's lyrical skills with touching on some dark subjects, such as hopelessness, romance gone bad, or defeat, but I also find her original work has a dark sense of humor that feels like she'd wink at you if you could, acknowledging that it isn’t all meant to be taken literally. Amsterburg is often compared to Aimee Mann; perhaps, but I also hear a bit of Kate Bush, Syd Straw, Shawn Colvin, Sam Phillips, or Emmylou Harris.
Her new album is "Clementine and Other Stories" and, although it includes many songs that so many of us take for granted and know by heart, it gives some new life to some dusty material. I found myself on the edge of my seat through some, as Amsterburg takes her time revealing and unfolding each piece and telling the stories in a way that makes you listen anew.
Amsterburg's skills go beyond her vocals, too. She plays a number of instruments including trumpet, keyboards, mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, bass, and various percussion instruments. In recent years she's won four ASCAP Popular Music Awards, the Top Female Soloist prize at Boston’s Acoustic Underground series, two Boston Music Awards, a WFNX/Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll award, and was named Jam Magazine’s Artist of the Year. In recent years, Amsterburg has toured with Paula Cole, Aimee Mann, and Patty Larkin, whom she also backed up on bass, mandolin, and bouzouki on her Red = Luck tour. Amsterburg has also sung at Fenway Park six times.
"Clementine and Other Stories" is rich with American history, and Amsterburg has already performed at some school and educator conferences to help promote these foundational songs. She includes lyrics and background information on the songs on her web site and has created a booklet for educators that can be ordered through there. You can find additional resources on American traditionals at The Contemplator.
A quote from Amsterburg in her press materials say it best: "I hope the record gets people to look at these songs in a different way. They deserve a second look. They’re part of our history and where we come from."
We recently met in my current hometown of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts to discuss:
* what inspired her to take on re-arranging this group of American traditionals
* what were her criteria for selecting the songs she covered on Clementine
* how her washer machine made a cameo appearance on one of her earlier recordings
Songs featured in the Merrie Amsterburg interview include:
1) Wayfaring Stranger (in preview) (Clementine and Other Stories)
2) Clementine (Clementine and Other Stories)
3) All the Pretty Horses (Clementine and Other Stories)
4) Lakes of Pontchartrain (Clementine and Other Stories)
5) Shenandoah (Clementine and Other Stories)
6) Simple Gifts (Clementine and Other Stories)
7) Lucky One (Season of Rain)
8) Design (Little Steps)
9) This Will Never Be My Year (Season of Rain)
10) Little Steps (Little Steps)
11) Down in the Valley (Clementine and Other Stories)
If you enjoyed Merrie Amsterburg's music, please also check out Dan Zanes and Jimmy Ryan.
Photo: Robyn Decina
Merrie recommends Jo Stafford.
Well-Rounded Radio recommends Liveplasma and MetaCritic.
