Whispers In The Wind

This family band out of the Midwest sure makes some righteous noise on their sophomore release.  Katie Greer is simply a remarkable singer and mother Kathie’s and brother Jase’s harmonies support her hand-in-glove. Jase also does a yeoman’s job on lead on a pair of cuts. The vocal arrangements that veteran producer Jim Van Cleve has helped the band come up with are often stunning.

The same can be said for the dozen songs chosen for this collection. The album opens with the sorrowful “That Page Won’t Turn,” penned by Brink Brinkman. This masterfully written and performed number captures all the sadness and confusion of someone perilously stuck in the memories of a lost love.

“Spring Is In The Air” (Tim Stafford and Robert Starnes) is an evocative celebration of the sights, sounds, fragrances and spiritual rejuvenation that arrive with the season of renewal.  The band takes a deft contemporary turn and once again Katie displays her vocal prowess on a reprise of “Too Bad You’re No Good.” Cowritten by Paul Craft and Cadillac Holmes, this was a big pop-country hit for Trisha Yearwood a while back.

“Breathe” (cowritten by Kathie and Katie) is vivid meditation featuring more exquisite vocals and a thrilling fiddle ride by producer VanCleve. “Over And Over Again” (Marcy Each) is a powerful love pledge that packs a similar emotional gut punch.

“Empty” (Laureen Smith and Jordan Rainer) has a captivating melody and a provocative and timely message about not leaving good deeds undone or kind words unsaid until it’s too late. Katie, once again, breathes emotional fire and urgency into this heartfelt warning with her exquisite singing.

The picking on Whispers in the Wind—provided by producer VanCleve, fiddle; Seth Taylor, guitar; Rob Ickes, resonator guitar; Mike Bubb, upright bass, Todd Phillips, upright bass and Aaron Ramsey on mandolin and banjo—is every bit as spot-on as the exemplary singing.