Tracie Potochnik "The Dream" album review

I tell you, I feel like Eric Lichter should start paying me royalties for  promoting his studio. Every damn record I get from this place is gold. I think part of that is that Eric just has a killer ear for music and is a great engineer...another part of that is that he chooses to work with amazing artists. Tracie Potochnik is one of those amazing artists.

Potochnik sings with a delicate confidence. Her voice floats, seriously floats, high and intricately above the music laid out across the background. While we are on that, the music on this record is great. The sound is full and the arrangements and robust without being too busy. Again, delicate and balance come back to mind when listening to this record. Instrumentation includes banjo, organ, mandolin, and pedal steel, as well as Brown Bird’s MorganEve Swain on fiddle. A heck of a line up of great players.

What strikes me most about Tracie's songs is her keen sense of storytelling. Sure, there are some great lines and hooks, but she really digs deep into the storytelling vein of folk music. She seriously gets you into the narrative with her choose of words. Her writing style is visceral and imaginative, truly inspiring stuff.

We were cutting our teeth
When we made that man bleed
And when we mixed the weed and the wine
We took the AK47 in a 7-11
And they chased us across another state line

The above except is from "Run Like the Devil", a story thats been told before, but has been breathed some new and interesting life. The story of thieves on the run. Trodding along to the banjo, it feels light hearted, but its not. A really cool juxtaposition of theme and sonic quality. Tracie's voice soars in a few parts, she really explores her vocal range a bit and its to the tune's benefit.

"Jimmy Took The Money" is super catchy. Its sticking with me for a long time, and thats a good thing. It just has a bit of make me want to move around in my seat a bit...a little groove, and a little soul.

 (photo by Matt Clowney)

Ok, I do have to try and give some constructive criticism. And per usual, its my issue with length choices. I do have to say that the album might have been just as successful with 10 tracks, but all of the songs are solid so I can't really say what I would toss aside.

Recorded on analog equipment at Dirt Floor Studio in Chester, Connecticut and produced by Eric Lichter, The Dream is a collection of ordinary and extraordinary stories with a Folk/Americana feel, and elements of classic country and 70s folk-rock. Instrumentation includes banjo, organ, mandolin, and pedal steel, as well as Brown Bird’s MorganEve Swain on fiddle. This is Potochnik’s first full length album having previously released a 5-song EP entitled Homespun Recordings, Volume 1. - See more at: http://www.trespassmusic.org/2014/01/06/thedreamtp/#sthash.AvzUl9XF.dpuf

Recorded on analog equipment at Dirt Floor Studio in Chester, Connecticut and produced by Eric Lichter, The Dream is a collection of ordinary and extraordinary stories with a Folk/Americana feel, and elements of classic country and 70s folk-rock. Instrumentation includes banjo, organ, mandolin, and pedal steel, as well as Brown Bird’s MorganEve Swain on fiddle. This is Potochnik’s first full length album having previously released a 5-song EP entitled Homespun Recordings, Volume 1. - See more at: http://www.trespassmusic.org/2014/01/06/thedreamtp/#sthash.AvzUl9XF.dpuf

I have a copy of Tracies first  5-song EP entitled Homespun Recordings, Volume 1 at home as well and its seen some solid spins on the old home stereo. I think this full length will be no different and see its fair share of playing time as well.

Check out Tracie online at http://www.traciepotochnik.com/

And listen on bandcamp at http://traciepotochnik.bandcamp.com/

nstrumentation includes banjo, organ, mandolin, and pedal steel, as well as Brown Bird’s MorganEve Swain on fiddle. This is Potochnik’s first full length album having previously released a 5-song EP entitled Homespun Recordings, Volume 1. - See more at: http://www.trespassmusic.org/2014/01/06/thedreamtp/#sthash.AvzUl9XF.dpuf

nstrumentation includes banjo, organ, mandolin, and pedal steel, as well as Brown Bird’s MorganEve Swain on fiddle. This is Potochnik’s first full length album having previously released a 5-song EP entitled Homespun Recordings, Volume 1. - See more at: http://www.trespassmusic.org/2014/01/06/thedreamtp/#sthash.AvzUl9XF.dpuf