There is perhaps no better time to embrace original music. Christine Santelli’s latest album Any Better Time draws the listener in and doesn’t let go.
With her lush vocals, confident guitar licks, and vibrant storytelling, one tumbles into her world, which is richly hypnotic: a broken down truck, a darkened bar, and a guitar playin’ man are all featured on the musician’s seventh album.
The latest CD, released on March 17, contains a baker’s dozen of songs that showcase her skill as a songwriter and a performer.
Fans can hear selections from her latest album when she plays a show with the full band on Tuesday, April 21 at the Dubliner in Hoboken.
Emotional tapestry
The album, which was produced by Dave Gross and VizzTone Label Group, is a fusion of genres. It blends simple blues truths and country sensibility mixed with a rock base.
Her low-pitched vocals are rich with emotion – weaving up the scale and around the drums – in the aptly titled “Butterfly.”
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Her low-pitched vocals are rich with emotion – weaving up the scale and around the drums – in the aptly titled “Butterfly.”
“And when you’re flying way up high, I will be near by. And when you’re tangled up in the trees, you know where I’ll be. Fly on, fly on, fly on, my little butterfly.”
“Ode to Bill” is a moving tribute to a “guitar playin’ man” who travels the world playing guitar:
“Made a lot of records soon to be a star. He was a guitar playin’ man – a guitar playin’ man.”
Yet as good as those two songs are, it is perhaps the title track that listeners will go back to again and again if only to hear the Santelli’s lively foot tapping anthem: “Any Better Time.”
Well-known local
Jersey City resident Santelli has made her mark in the blues scene and at many local venues since the mid-nineties. She personally nurtured and began the popular series of open-mic nights in Hoboken that feature singer-songwriters and include a pool of talented musicians who participate regularly. Her series is now at the Dubliner in Hoboken and includes Saturday afternoons, and nights on Sunday through Tuesday.
The well-known Popa Chubby, has stopped by the scene and also plays on her latest album. The album also includes bandmates Matt Mousseau (drums), Tim Tindall (electric bass, upright bass), Jason Green (guitar, banjo), and musicians Brian Mitchell (Wurlitzer, piano), Arthur Nielson (guitar), Dave Gross (guitar), Gibb Wharton (pedal steel), and Mazz Swift (violin).
In addition to her large local following, she has gained international renown at shows in Paris, Madrid, the Montreal Jazz Festival, among others.
Whether or not listeners are familiar with Santelli’s music, they should appreciate the new album – which put simply – soars. She captivates the listener with her gritty passion that shines through whether she is softly singing a melancholy ballad or passionately engaging in a foot-stamping rock song.
Christine Santelli will play at the Ear Inn in Manhattan on Wednesday, April 8 and at the Dubliner, on Tuesday, April 21 at 9:30.
Diana Schwaeble can be reached at current@hudsonreporter.com.