CARRIE NEWCOMER: POP-ROCK WITH A SPIRITUAL TOUCH By David Schultz For the Transcript Though her name might suggest otherwise, Carrie Newcomer is not a spring chicken. Growing up in Elkhart, Indiana, she would lie about her age to have the opportunity to play gigs in Michigan bars. After graduating from Purdue University, she ran her own record company, until she joined Rounder Records in 1994, releasing five albums since that time. Performing professionally for sixteen years now, Newcomer brings her band to Oklahoma this Saturday June 27 in support of her new album, My True Name (Philo 1223). The songs on My True Name display a strong pop-rock sensibility, but are peppered with acoustic, gospel, and country flavors. Newcomer's voice is a captivating rich alto voice which speaks volumes about her life experiences. The Village Voice wrote "Newcomer is hard on society, softer on humanity---glinting with musical brightness." A practicing Quaker, Newcomer's faith has sustained her through the difficult times in her life. As she told Dirty Linen, "A lot of my songs have to do with spirituality. My songs encompass my whole life and that's everything from my relationships to my thoughts about a political climate, to my relationship with God, to my cat and dog, everything. So I think of my life as ever-changing and as being a spiritual quest as well as a personal quest and that I'm constantly growing, constantly searching, trying to be better, trying to learn better." An exploration of such themes, turning your back on adversity and moving forward, is the refreshing "When One Door Closes (Another One Opens Wide)". The uplifting background vocals of a gospel trio led by Donald Lawrence breathe spirit into this wonderful message. The album-closer, "The Length of My Arms", featuring Newcomer alone on vocal and acoustic guitar, explores her thoughts about her "ridiculously long" arms and resulting struggles with self-esteem. In contrast, the title track describes what Newcomer refers to as "a name that is the essence and combination of all that I am. Whenever that name is known or spoken, it is the finest of gifts." Such an appropriate title for an album filled with songs of self-examination. Lest we think of Newcomer as overly deep and introspect, other songs on My True Name show a different side. "I Should've Known Better" opens the album with a fine Austin-style romp about an inevitable break-up: "It's been a long time comin'. And the cards were stacked. It's been a long hard road to hell and back." "Something Worth Fighting For", cowritten with Pierce Pettis, would make an excellent single on any adult-contemporary radio station. Feeding off audience enthusiasm, her performances have garnered Newcomer a fervent following of fans. She has toured with the same band for several years now, so they are well-honed. The concert benefits the City Arts Center and Oklahoma Children's Theatre Summer Arts Camp, offering scholarships to talented children who otherwise could not afford to attend. It is a cause that Newcomer supports strongly for two reasons: her undergraduate degree is in Art Education and her daughter performs in a children's theatre. Being a benefit dear to her heart, buoyed by an album that is currently in the top ten in the Gavin Americana chart, and having the video for "What Kind of Love is This" on CMT's Jammin' Country, Saturday's show is bound to be a memorable one for all present. Tickets for this Moran Productions show are on sale at CD World in Robinson Crossing. The next show at the City Arts Center is Texan Dana Cooper on July 11. ---------------------- More information about Carrie Newcomer can be found at http://www.carrienewcomer.com. More information about this or upcoming shows can be found at 528-4527 or http://www.telepath.com/emoran/mp.
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