Natalie Cressman is primarily known for her crazed blasts of trombone fury, but on her new album Etchings In Amber she shows a delicate side that mesmerizes as it entertains. Her collaborator on these offerings, guitarist Mike Bono, plays a lilting, clean, jazz influenced guitar style that serves as a unique breath of fresh air. Though with horn in hand as the loud and proud trombonist of the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB), Cressman’s main instrument on display is her enchanting voice. The combination of her voice and Bono’s guitar lines coalesce into a collection of songs that will leave listeners in a truly beautiful state of mind.
Those who have only known Cressman as a brass blasting force will be amazed to find her so incredibly capable of crafting exquisite melodies with her amazing voice. Opening track “Dust,” like the rest of the material on the album, is recorded with an eye on simplicity. You can practically feel Bono’s fingers pressing on the strings. The soft breaths taken in by Cressman are audible, giving a palpable sense of intimacy to each track. The effect effectively captures the sense of a fading light, with stanzas and guitar lines continuously trailing away in a gorgeous repose.
The transfixing nature of the music can hide a darker lyrical intent as on “Wind Of Whims.” A meditation on indecision and commitment, the tune finds the protagonist finally deciding to cut ties with a commitment-phobic lover. Taking on such a mature topic shows a fearless songwriting bent that is both impressive and engrossing. “Folds Of Time” and “I Look To You” continue in this vein, as soaring phrases are grounded by a stark guitar. The pairing produces a symbiosis of mathematical progression and raw emotion that resonates on intrinsic human frequencies.
Though his tempos stay within a limited range, the emotions that flow from the patterns and progressions put forth by guitarist Mike Bono show a deep understanding of mood creation. Saying so much while displaying such little effort is the mark of a player who understands himself and his intentions on a cellular level. There is no hiding in this album of duets, and Bono seems to savor the chance to let his playing be heard in it’s purest form.
Closing the album, Cressman again sings of farewells and endings in “Goodbye Lullaby”. It’s appropriate as not only the final track of the whole, but also a summation of the thoughts and themes of the record. As the narrator learns, the folly of regretting things undone and the moments lost from realization of the freedom gained is powerful. Natalie Cressman has made a mature and haunting album that uses a sparse soundscape to create a connection with the listener. Her soul seems to speak directly to the souls of her audience, and we are all the better for it.
Enjoy Etchings in Amber below:
Be sure to catch Natalie Cressman with Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power), Will Bernard (Stanton Moore Trio), Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy), Benny Rietveld (Santana), and Samora Pinderhughs (Emily King, Branford Marsalis) at this year’s Brooklyn Comes Alive event on Saturday, October 22nd. With members of Dead & Company, The String Cheese Incident, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Lettuce, Snarky Puppy, The Disco Biscuits and more all performing, we can’t wait for this festival! All information about Brooklyn Comes Alive can be found here.