GAIL LLOYD: Circles

Gail Lloyd

Circles

© 2006 Gail Lloyd

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Nashville recording artist, singer/songwriter and roots rocker Gail Lloyd demonstrates her versatility with the release of her new CD "Circles". Gail's 4th album includes elements of folk, alternative, Americana, swing and even some latin stylings.

notes

Nashville recording artist, singer/songwriter and roots rocker Gail Lloyd demonstrates her versatility with the release of her new CD entitled "Circles". Gail's 4th album is an eclectic mix that includes elements of swing, blues, and country rock (which have all been a big part of her sound with her rockabilly band Gail & The Tricksters) ... but she is taking some new directions into folk,alternative and Americana stylings on this new CD as well. The new songs are both more complex and personal.... She's worked closely with Walter Egan (known for his hit "Magnet and Steel" as well as the Emmylou Harris/Gram Parsons duet of his song "Hearts On Fire") who co-produced and did a lot of the instrumentation on this CD. Her previous releases have been well reviewed and received airplay both in the US and overseas. Thomas Martin of Enigma Magazine writes of Gail's 2005 release Dare To Be Different: “full of edge and big dynamic songs … ". Gail performs live in and around Nasville, as well as internationally. She's opened for first female rock'n' roller Wanda Jackson, and performed regularly in Europe with Wild Oats Records label-mates Steve Haggard and Joel Alan Lehman. In 2007, look for her to be doing occasional live appearances both as an acoustic act and with her rockabilly band in Nashville and Franklin where she performs every Saturday at The Pond.
Walter Egan writes:
"I was honored when Gail asked me to serve as co-producer on her new CD. Sometimes in the creative process different points of view can open new doors, and Gail was seeking a fresh approach to her newer songs outside the rockabilly genre. She expressed an appreciation for my self-produced CD Walternative in which I played most of the instruments myself, giving the recordings an intimate yet not strictly acoustic sound, rather a sound that used electric instruments and acoustic ones in concert.

When Gail began playing the new tunes, I was struck by the passion she felt for these new explorations in songwriting. Such an eclectic blend of material, from the flamenco flavor of one to the Buddy Holly leanings of another, then the eerie lonesome sound of another, I could tell that these new songs, while seemingly diverse, all hung together on the thread of this woman's fresh point of view. For some reason I had the idea of Gail covering Belinda Carlisle's eighties hit Circles in the Sand, and I was happy when she agreed. The circle theme runs through the songs, hence the title of the CD.

We polished the songs and worked on the arrangements over the next few months,then went into the Beechwood Studio with the great Randall Merryman engineering to record the basic tracks. With the wonderfully creative Ronnie Krasinski on drums Gail sang scratch vocals while I played acoustic guitar; I then overdubbed the bass and electric guitar parts. We enhanced the basic tracks with the tasty keyboards of Chris James and the evocative fiddle and mandolin of David Russell. Gail's original and endearing lyrics (and her sweet and distinctive vocals) make this CD a unique blend.

With the tireless devotion of Mister Merryman ("Everybody, just relax"…"the impossible just takes a little longer"), we pursued recorded perfection in such exotic locations as Rebel Circle in Franklin Tennessee. Thanks to this devotion we have created a beautiful and engaging recording. In these songs you hear the passion of a woman on a voyage of discovery, as are we all, seeking to find out who we really are."

reviews

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  • Addicted to your new CD
    author: Lisa in Milwaukee

    I’ve become addicted to your new CD. It’s very good. I like the new style songs. You are very versatile and can master other kinds of music genre. It’s a good cross over CD and I think it will expand your name to other audiences and they will become ‘tricksters fans’ like me.

  • A very good listen.
    author: Brad Fischer (Nashville Music Guide)

    Lloyd is essentially a roots rocker but demonstrates her versatility on this 4th CD release. ... an eclectic tapestry that includes elements of swing, blues and country rock. All in all, a very pleasent combination of catchy tunes penned or co-written by the artist... My pick of the twelve cuts is "Let It Be Me" which has very comercial possibilities, especially as presented by the sweet vocals of Lloyd. This CD is a very good listen. ****** (rated 6 stars: rating for NMG reviews is based on a final average of 7 catagories (vocals, soul, production, musicianship, lyrics, melody, & originality) for a maximum of 7 stars.

  • Wow is a small word to say how I feel.
    author: Lora from Northern CA

    Gail-- I just got your CD in the mail. I am astounded. The first three songs brought me to tears in the car on the way home... I havn't yet picked a favorite, but track 7 is a big candidate. I'm still toe-tapping !

  • AWESOME !!
    author: Nancy

    AWESOME!! Lots of interesting and meaningful songs and the production sounded great. What I liked was the mix of songs between being soulful and upbeat. You sound great.

  • Truly A Treat For The Ears
    author: Victoria Ogawa

    Being a relative newcomer to Gail Lloyd's music, I have only last year's Dare To Be Different to use for purposes of comparison, but I must say that this striking new release is a vast improvement on what I've heard before. Although Gail's usual rockabilly/country sound is still very much present on this release, the majority of the music is very much a departure from that. Gail describes the album as being full of "soul-searching, tormented songwritery stuff" and that's a pretty accurate description. Gone are the fun and catchy but silly lyrics like "We're rockabilly robots from outerspace; We're coming down to party With the human race" heard on Dare to Be Different. Instead we hear the offerings of a mature and accomplished songwriter, or rather, team of songwriters. Taking a cue from the genius of Walter Egan's 1999 solo release Walternative, Gail co-wrote four of the album's songs with Egan (and recorded "Rockabilly Girl," a Walter Egan original), opted to share production duties with him and allowed him to play a large share of the instruments. Also in keeping with the example set by Walternative is the eclectic mix of musical styles - "swingin'roots rockin' jump blues," country rock, alternative, and even latin sounds. The result is an album that, like Egan's Walternative, is truly a treat for the ears. Personal favorites are "I Don't Wanna," "Man of a Thousand Souls" (though I can't decide which version I prefer, both are absolutely stunning) and "Hot Summer Lily."

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