- Dana
- Thread Of Blue
- Water Records
- By B.J. Weikert
 I've always thought
of myself as pretty much of a male chauvinist pig when it comes
to female musical artists and there's not too many out there
that I'm in awe of. Those I do consider amazing include Sister
Rosetta Tharpe, Ko Ko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, The Carter Gals,
Patsy Cline, Wanda Jackson, Rose Flores, Lucinda Williams, Blondie,
that chick in The Motels, Janis, Patty Loveless, Allison Krauss.
Hmmm, I guess maybe I'm not so much a male chauvinist pig after
all. Well, now there's another chick I'm really digging
Dana.
Even though she's got three previous albums under her belt,
Dana's career is completely unknown by this writer. I'm not
sure how well her other albums were received by the mass market,
but I hope she makes it big with her new release, because Thread
Of Blue blew me away. The only other recent, up and coming
female artist that has had such an effect on my listening pleasure
has been Anne McCue (review pending) who plays all the guitar
and includes a 9 12 minute version of Hendrix's "Machine
Gun" on her upcoming album. Enough said.
Dana was born in Queen's, New York but moved to Cleveland
at the age of one. Her alcoholic father left the family when
she was 12, so she spent her remaining youth with her mother
and two other sisters. Dana was making up and writing songs
at the early age of 5 and taught herself how to play piano.
She later picked up the guitar and discovered that such artists
as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Joni Mitchell enthralled
her. As a teenager, she dropped out of high school a month before
graduation and soon found herself on a path of aimlessness and
self-destruction. The major considerations in her life at this
point were guys, drugs, and horses. It wasn't too much further
along this road that Dana experienced an epiphany of sorts.
She was cutting school one day when a spell overcame her and
she found herself reeling and at the point of unconsciousness.
It was at this point that God spoke up and said, "Hey,
get your shit together or your going to die." So she got
her shit together.
Dana went on to study pre-med in college, but evidently that
didn't work out and she ended up chasing down her one true love
that being making music. But not just any run-of-the-mill music,
she wanted something more. Her poetic sensibilities had to come
into play. Her inherent sense of rhythm and drama, of give and
take, of dark and light all came together, and for the first
time, everything made sense. In her own words, Dana says: "I
have always felt that making music is my destiny, the pursuit
of muse is such a rush, when I write a song or come up with something
in the studio that sounds just right, it's like an orgasm."
Dana's music is all at once mystical, pioneering and gripping,
what great music is all about. There's not a wasted second on
this album. It's visionary and thoroughly enjoyable from one
end to the other. All stuff, no fluff. It is truly a complete
and cohesive visualization. Not only is Dana's voice an amazing
gift; she also possesses a strong Amazonian blue-eyed, blond-haired
splendor that is at once both tough, yet tender.
Dana is a gifted songwriter to be reckoned with. These are
some of the most remarkable songs that I've heard in quite some
time and they all spring from the same pen. These songs are
ambitious, complex, and stunning, both lyrically as well as musically.
Dana fronts a tight, masterful collection of players who perfectly
and seamlessly merge with her artistic vision. I'm sure that
this collective has come close together as studio mates as well
as special friends during the making of this album.
The opening title track "Thread of Blue" begins
with a seemingly Middle Eastern vibe (actually a sample from
the 60's era Vietnamese chant "Peace to the World")
whose nearly whispered opening verse expands with Dana's ethereal
vocals that at the same time elevate and subdue. Melancholy
pervades, although there lies a ray of hope at the end. The
complex musical execution coats the lyrics with ear gratifying
authority. Think Kate Bush at her best (The Kick Inside) or
a female Peter Gabriel.
Dana's lyrical depth as a songwriter is at once poetic, strong,
and endearing. Though often times of a seemingly gloomy nature,
the inherent beauty of her wordsmithing shines through. Take
for example the following lyrics from "Tear Streaks:
Statues that gather dust, love that fades to lust
Tin roofs that turn to rust so far away
Train whistles in the air, dream breaks beyond repair
I see you everywhere so far away
The third cut on the album, "Passion" is the musical
equivalent to Viagra. This song is an orgasm for the ears.
It builds relentlessly in intensity right from the get-go and
then flows along passionately, building up steam until it reaches
the final climax. Another example of Dana's intriguing lyricism
is evidenced in the next cut "Seraphim and Seagulls."
Everything you gain must have a cost
In spite of pain and loss
Open up and give
Unlock your hands to those in need
Bleed with those who bleed
The way we're meant to live
If you want to rise
"Stronger Than" opens with a rocking Byrds-like
ringing guitar lick that introduces a rapid string of social
conscious lyrics that you can't help but tap toe to. Envision
Dylan crossed with Edie Brickell. Another winner. This song
is self evident of the powerful production that went into the
making of this release; at the same time intricate yet intoxicating.
"Lost in the Snow" was written about Dana's younger
sister with whom she is no longer close to yet doesn't know exactly
why. It's about the remembrance of someone close, a hopeful
future savior who remains just out of touch just on the
other side of this existence, just across the physical barriers
of this reality. Folks, this is big time goose bump territory.
The full orchestration of this cut swells up into a place of
beautiful vertigo that will leave you spent and swaying.
"Tuscany" is about living a dreary, work-a-day life
and yet dreaming of a better place, a better life. Haven't we
all been there? Listen close to this cut and you just might
cut loose the trappings of your present life and chase the dream.
Yeah, right.
The final cut on Thread of Blue, "Touch And Go"
is the capper. This song broadcasts Dana's powerful songwriting
and exemplary vocals to full to effect. Simply glorious in its
poetic strength, the song's piano, and string driven vibe manages
to convey the idea that the eventual dissipation of things worthwhile
and wanted can be the most heart rending of realizations. Nothing
lasts forever, especially the things we hold most dear.
When I was a child, I tried to catch a lace of snow
Watched it melt away, didn't know didn't know
That the heat of my body was too much
I cried for the beauty that I killed by my touch
I put out my hand to hold the snow
But you can't hold beauty, because it's touch and go
Well, at least I can play Thread of Blue over again
and again. This is an album that I indeed now hold dear. You
know, maybe I've been fooling myself for far too long a time
as to the fact of seeing myself as a male pig when it comes to
female artists, shit just take a look at the list of my favorites
at the beginning of this review. I admit it, I was wrong, and
it took Dana to help me to see the light.
www.dana.tv
Contact BJ Weikert at bj-at-rockzilla.net
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