Fronted by Canadian songwriter Sherri-Ann, Sister Speak, the San Diego-based quartet, have delivered an impressive debut with Rise Up For Love that, with the right exposure, should firmly establish them as a fresh new name on the alt-roots circuit. Sherri-Ann has a suitably lived-in voice, rough around the edges with a core of vulnerability that draws equally on folk, country and soul influences while Lisa Viegas holds down steady percussion and Tolan Shaw, Jacob Miranda and Leo Dombecki provide solid guitar, bass and organ, respectively.
Joined by guest guitarist Meir Shitrit on slide, catchy opening cut Chicago Dream has a touch of Fleetwood Mac about it, indeed there’s hints of Stevie Nicks smoky warble elsewhere too (notably the soulful title track), but, at the same time, on Comin’ Back she has a definite country twang while the bass underpinned Mountain Song finds her in a southern blues groove.
Setting the gradually building big production of Say You Will and the full sound of Mirror II against the more stripped back, quieter mood of the folksy Lady Love with its acoustic guitars and mandolin interplay and Honestly’s jazzy percussive shuffle, makes for a well-balanced sound, the band’s tight cohesiveness and Sherri-Ann’s impassioned writing compelling you to listen when they speak.
Review by: Mike Davies
https://soundcloud.com/sisterspeak/lady-love-private
Out Now – Released on Sister Speak / RESO Nation