Amber Casares
Can I Go Home With You?
Independent

by Al Kunz

I've put on my liberal, pro-feminist, sensitive guy editorializing hat to start this review. Please bear with me and I'll try not to overdo it.

Recently, in an email discussion group that I monitor, there was a thread discussing the low percentage of female artists on the Americana sales and airplay charts. Unscientific sampling indicated only one in four or five charting albums were by either female solo artists or duos and bands that are at least partially female. Further research indicates that the percentage of Americana releases by female artists is even lower than those making the charts. An analysis of both mainstream country and rock charts disclosed a balanced ratio of male to female acts.

All this begs the question, "why the dearth of Americana releases by females"? The answer isn't clear. If your musical tastes don't include female singers, then the relative scarcity isn't an issue. But if you do see this as a problem, one potential solution seems clear. Search for Americana releases by female artists that appeal to you, then purchase them. Simply put, success breeds success. Success for one encourages other female acts to self-release or pursue a record deal. It also gives record labels incentive to sign more female artists.

Okay. I'll take off that damn feminist hat. It's time to tell you about Amber Casares and one of those potential purchases, Amber's independently released five-track EP, Can I Go Home With You?

Now a resident of Massachusetts, Casares is a native of Southern California. According to the short biography on her web site she began singing professionally as a child in California, doing both studio work and performing at the legendary Palomino Club in the Los Angeles area. As a young adult she worked for a time as a featured performer in the Solid Gold revue starring the 5th Dimension at the Riviera Hotel. This attracted the attention of an indie record producer from Germany who convinced her to come to Europe where she experienced some modest success. The release of Can I Go Home With You? has afforded Amber the chance to return to her musical roots, the Southern California country and country rock sounds of Linda Ronstadt and Rosie Flores.

Ms. Casares assembled a multi-talented team to assist her on this release. Producer and sometime songwriting partner Stan Martin played guitar. Charlie Irwin played bass while engineer Duck Carlisle did double duty on drums. Joining them were keyboardist Brother Cleve and steel guitarist Tom Belliveau, both of whom have worked with a variety of notable acts including Dick Curless, Mary Gauthier, and Barrence Whitfield.

While working on this review the first major winter storm has hit Minnesota. I'm watching the snow accumulate outside as I listen to Amber's high and plaintive voice, full of desire and passion, on the opening track, "Another Winter Night". "The Snow has come/ wish you'd stay/ the night's begun/ and I'm afraid". This is a night to snuggle in front of the fireplace, not lay in bed alone as the snow blows against your window. For those of you in warmer climes imagine a tropical rainstorm blowing off the Gulf of Mexico. This is the perfect song for the mood of an imperfect day.

Ever since Kitty Wells took Hank Thompson to task in "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" women country singers have sung about men who lie and cheat from the female point of view. In "You Lied" Amber cuts through her man's excuses. That may be his story, he may be sticking to it, but as far as she's concerned he just lied.

Said you never meant to
Said you just forgot
You lied
You just lied

Didn't want to hurt me
Give the wrong impression
You lied
You just lied

The disc chronicles a relationship progressing from the desire and passion of "Another Winter Night" to the lying and cheating on "You Lied" and now the end of the relationship on "The Next Girl in Line".

It wasn't so hard to take him away from me
So maybe you're thinking the two of you were meant to be
A word to the wise, he's got wandering eyes to be sure
I should have known when I took him away from her

After the relationship ends there are lonely nights and a difficult time trying not to think about the lover who's gone. But there is a light at the end of tunnel. "I'll Say Who" is an upbeat song of recovery. "One day when I hear them say your name / I'll say who".

It's been a long time since her "true love died" and the song's protagonist hasn't received any offers, so she decides to make the offer herself in the closing song "Can I Go Home With You?

I'm happy to meet you
You've been very kind
So easy to talk to
So it's crossed my mind

If you like me a little
If your other plans fall through
Can we get out of here
And you take me home with you

To take Amber Casares home with you visit www.ambercasares.com and order your own copy of Can I Go Home With You?. For those with a fear of commitment, look for song samples at the same place.

Contact Al Kunz at kunz-at-rockzilla.net

 
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