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Reviews of Renegade of the Light Brigade
RENEGADE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
This CD is cool, funky and it rocks.
Reviewer: Dave Beazer
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I like music that demands my attention, that says something to me that's
meaningful. And it's got to have at least a pepper shake of grit. Peggy
Atwood's CD "Renegade of the Light Brigade" does, and it rocks. "Eve"
balances the I Am Woman swagger of its lyrics with an almost gospel
appreciation for the sound of grown men's voices. The mix is interesting
and brings some funk: the haunting power of the 1940's country classic
"Riders in the Sky" spiced with reggae. "The River" tells a story of
resolute desire to move on and follow destiny that Atwood seems to know
in all its facets. "I Want to Be Jane" puts a Helen Reddy sensibility to
a nice island beat. "We Made Love" wraps hammer dulcimer tone and Middle
Eastern atmospherics around some tender afternoon delight. The songs are
like poems of passion between men and women, the passage of time, the
pull of fate, life's relentless rush into the future and the unshakable
voices of the past.
Atwood's voice is smooth and creamy and she sings with a kind of humility
that is disarming considering her vocal range and strength. It's like she
knows she doesn't need any tricks, she's got the goods. She's a fine
guitarist and her licks, which sound so clear and catchy on the CD, sound
even better live. And her band proves live that they have the best
special effect of all: skill. My friend the jazz guitarist would call her
stuff great guitar songs -- songs you can tell were written by someone
who really knows the guitar. Atwood's earnestness, determination,
experience and humor come through. Like the character in "Sail Away," I
want music to send me whimsy, love and chance. This CD delivers.
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