Kimmie Rhodes 'Dreams Of Flying' Self-release

Following her Christmas release comes this new album of original songs and two covers. She is again with her son Gabriel as producer. There have been some tough times for her of late and this is reflected in songs like Back Again with it's refrain of "trying to bring you back again". Elsewhere the songs are of a personal exploration of relationships and of love. Personal and universal. Her voice is often understated and unforced. It allows for her essentially gentle nature to shine through over the restrained backings provided by Gabriel and musicians like Charlie Sexton and John Gardner. One cover is a duet between Rhodes and fellow Lubbock native Joe Ely on Donovan's Catch The Wind, a version which draws a certain weariness into the song. The other is a song written by her son Jeremie Rhodes, Again it fits perfectly into the overall picture, which is one that her fans will enjoy. Much of the album deals with coming to terms with the way life can twist and turn and through up the unexpected. But in doing so you need to face it with fortitude, understanding and love for those around you. Dreams Of Flying is about finding a certain release and for Kimmie Rhodes one way to do this is through her music and her musical family. There are a lots of strands within the textures of this music that can be warm and playfull as well as being, at times soulfully sad, but always listenable and always Kimmie Rhodes at her best and most poetic.

Kimmie Rhodes 'Miracles On Christmas Day' Sunbird

As befits the album's title this album is full of warm sounds and good tidings. Rhodes is well know to her followers who will be well at home with the sentiments of these songs. Penned in the main by Rhodes and on occasion with a writing partner. Her son Gabriel and husband Joe are again, central to the proceedings. Gabriel behind the recording and Joe looking after the mixing and mastering. They are joined by a diverse set of players including Hunts Sales taking care of the rhythms, Glen Fukunaga on bass, Tommy Spurlock on pedal steel, Floyd Domino on piano and Joel Guzman on accordion alongside Gabriel multi-instrumental contribution. The afore mentioned players may suggest something more countryish than is actually the case. The songs are diverse in arrangements and musical style. Her Wake Up Sleepy Town has a lovely vocal delivery over Guzman's accordion backing. Elsewhere the vocals are delivered in a lighter almost whisper that suits the songs theme and mood. The Toymaker's Hands a case in point. The songs are strong enough that some could become standards and are ripe for covering by other artists. Their arrangement of What Child Is This is haunting and beautiful, the mix of cello and spanish guitar leading to Rhodes elegant vocal. Patty Griffin's Mary is one of the few wholly outside songs and its given an equally strong reading that is in keeping with the strong lyric. There are those that love Christmas albums and those that run a million miles away but this album has been put together not to cash in on a sentimental trend but for the right reasons, for the love of a season. It shows.