'Soul Shifter' shows Lorenza Ponce is a force all on her own
THE DAILY FREEMAN
by David Malachowski
Singer, songwriter, violinist extraordinaire Lorenza Ponce lives here in Woodstock (and New York City), but you'd never know it, because she tours almost non-stop with the likes of Bon Jovi, the Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, Hall & Oates, the Ben Folds Five and many others.
That's kind of a big deal.
But touring with big pop acts does not define this rocker. Ponce had a former life as a new-ge artist touring with John Tesh and Kitaro -- and putting out her own CDs. If that's not enough, she started out playing classical, studying at the Manhattan School of Music.
This brand-new release is a bit of a departure for Ponce, but the sound is comfortable and, well, casual. So, fittingly, the muscular mix and meaty guitars of "Casual Girl" kick off this collection, and, of course, there's lush strings lurking in the background. But it's Ponce's luxurious, sensual voice that draws you in, as well as her haunting violin playing, which comes with the jaw-dropping technique that she has built her reputation on.
The sound has elements of soul, rock, country and is produced to perfection by Matt Wells, from the silky "Remedy," to the fiery update of Big Joe Williams' "Baby Please Don't Go," where clever arrangements, modulations and red-hot playing make it brand new. The forceful ballad "Frostbite," the hard-hitting "What Happened To You?" and the lush "Let It Down" are highlights. Soon, the back roads feel of "Testify" falls into the soulful "Soul Shifter." It comes to a dramatic close with the moving "I Won't Lose Faith."
Throughout this release, both the playing and singing are quite impressive, but what is important here (and not a given) is that Ponce remembers that passion and emotion are what really lift up a song, and this record is drenched in both.
The bottom line?
Soul Shifter, and Lorenza Ponce, are good for the soul.
Ponce will appear at the Bearsville Theater tonight.
David Malachowski is a guitarist, producer and freelance journalist living in Woodstock.The Freeman seeks CDs by local artists or artists appearing locally for review. Please send all CDs (please, no CD-Rs or demo CDs) to Daily Freeman c/o Preview, 79 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, N.Y. 12401.
