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Vanessa Van Spall
"Cotton-Poly Blend"
reviewed by
Dan MacIntosh, Indie-Music.com
Vanessa Van Spall refuses to spoonfeed you her art. You need to digest it for yourself.
I suspect that Vanessa Van Spall is a spiritual (Christian?) singer of some kind, although you’d never know it from the CD credits on Cotton-Poly Blend. There isn’t a ‘thank you, God’ or ‘kudos to pastor so-and-so" to be found anyplace. Nevertheless, song titles like, “After the Fall," “Rapture," and “Save Me” certainly suggest a spiritual side of the artist. Another confusing factor is the picture of Van Spall and three other musicians found on the back of the disc. This is a solo artist's CD, but it’s really made to look like a band outing. Neverthless, such confusion doesn’t take anything away from the music, which is quite good.
Unlike most pop singers nowadays, Van Spall is a trained vocalist. I can hear her singing opera, for instance, just as much as rock & roll. But rock & roll is the primary style of choice on this CD. Nevertheless, “I Couldn’t Cry” incorporates a little funky keyboard work and “Truth” has a bit of a disco beat. Then on “Not Sorry," I pick up on a little Stax-Volt soul undertow.
Song titles have always intrigued me, and sometimes I’ll skip right to a particular track to see if the song itself lives up to the title’s high quality. This is especially the case with the curiously named “Foolish Bride." I had to
hear for myself if this might be about a young marriage gone bad. (I’m
terrible, I know, always expecting the worst). Instead, this lyric may actually be based around the bride/groom metaphor for the Christian church and Christ; Christ is pictured as the groom, and the church is the bride. It includes lines like: “My desire above all men, for the God of all the earth who saves you, Holy One.” But then again, it might also be about tender love gone awry. “To waste away my youth and pride, humbled as your foolish bride.” I’m exactly sure what it’s about. I just know I like it.
Although my original assumption was that this is Christian-based music, these lyrical themes can apply to more than just Biblical truths. “After The Fall” states: “After the fall, what is real? What is free? What’s alive?” This could refer to Adam and Eve’s original sin ordeal, but then again, it can also apply to the fall of a government. It’s up to the listener to decide.
And the more a listener gets to decide, the better, in my opinion. Vanessa Van Spall refuses to spoonfeed you her art. You need to digest it for yourself.
"Cotton-Poly Blend"
reviewed by
Kayleigh Horvath, Music-Reviewer.com
A mix of soulful lyrics and haunting instruments, Cotton-Poly Blend, the latest from Vanessa Van Spall is sure to grab the heart of every listener, religious or not. Throughout each of the twelve songs on this disc, Van Spall explores hope, redemption, love and faith. Cotton-Poly Blend is a unique mix of pop sounds and introspective lyrics that can be appreciated even by those who do not normally like religious music.
The use of instruments like the viola, cello and double bass puts a twist on the ordinary sounds of the genre. While faith is a large theme on the record, not every song is blatantly faith based. Van Spall uses her lyrics to explore the emotions that we all feel, from hopelessness (I Couldn’t Cry) to refusing to feel bad about our decisions (Not Sorry). Some of these faith-filled lyrics can also describe being in love, including how it feels to be able to lean on someone (You Save Me).
With upbeat melodies and deep lyrics, Cotton-Polly Blend is sure to satisfy all those who are in touch with their emotions, and their faith.
"Save Me"
reviewed by
FMQB
AC Picks
Weaving a clever balance of Pop, Rock and Blues, Van Spall and company deliver a refreshing debut with “Save Me.” The emotional and heartfelt lyrics are offered expertly and are supported by a stellar rhythm section, hooky melody and tasteful viola work. From her new album, Cotton-Poly Blend.
"Cotton-Poly Blend"
reviewed by
Andy Riggs, Americana UK
Cotton-Poly Blends many genres on this ambitious debut
Vanessa Van Spall had one of those difficult career decisions: IT or music? Working on corporate project management Van Spall bumped into Ian Hisert, a local musician who persuaded Vanessa to grab ‘her dream’ and make a record. She had dabbled in music in her teens but decided to pursue an alternative career. Some years later a chance meeting resurrected her interest in music, and with some ‘life experiences’ was able to write all the songs on this record with Hisert who also contributes all keyboards.
They are joined by Atma Anur (drums ex Journey?), Eric Golub (Viola & Cello) & Derek Yergler on guitar & bass. The record dips into many styles - rock, blues, gospel and pop. One thing that stands out on the opener ‘Hopeful’ is Vanessa’s voice; ‘And I sure feel hopeful, hopeful that the day will be beautiful, and chase despair way’ – this has a sweeping chorus as Vanessa drives down Van Ness towards the shoreline from the morning mist of her home town of San Francisco.
The record has a religious feel about repenting but that should not let you be put off - if Aled Jones hears about it, it could find its way onto his Sunday morning play list. On the semi-autobiographical ‘Foolish Bride’ Vanessa tells us ‘I think of you in pity and anger….To waste away my youth and pride, humbled as your foolish bride’.
At times the self-confessional lyrics are reminiscent of Mary Chapin Carpenter - whilst many of the songs have a gospel feel, the country influence lifts many of the arrangements.
A strong debut.
Date review added: Sunday, July 15, 2007
Reviewer: andy riggs
Reviewers Rating: 8 out of 10
"Cotton-Poly Blend"
reviewed by
Caroline Leonardo, Evolution of Media
Vanessa Van Spall has been everywhere in life, and she makes it known on her debut album, Cotton-Poly Blend. Bouncing in between making music and living life over the years, she has inevitably meshed the two in order to bring you her own heartfelt message in an effort to tell you her story, in hopes that you've been through some things, too.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Van Spall is quick to establish a cold morning in the city by the Bay with the rousing "Hopeful," and with it comes her inspiration. There are elements of Pop, Rock, Blues, and even Gospel that come alive on this album, notably on "Palm Of Your Hand," and "Rapture." She gets a little Fiona Apple-ish during "Not Sorry" and especially "Save Me" because of a bit of dark, albeit menacing piano brigade that marches along. But instead of raspy vocals, she belts mostly in falsetto that calls to mind Lilith Fair-esque Paula Cole and Sarah McLachlan. Both have an earthiness, and all the while reel you in with amazing melodies and lyrics of stories untold, much like Van Spall does.
And though the songs are mostly singer/songwriter quips with its wax poetics about life, she and co-writer Ian Hisert somehow make you want to dance. Most of the time you're thinking you're in for ballads with songs that begin slow and steady, but Cotton Poly-Blend catches you off guard with toe tapping, shoulder shifting grooves by the next minute. And let's be honest: there can be a sleepiness sometimes when it comes to singer/songwriters ... like they've never heard of anything but an acoustic guitar.
The title Cotton-Poly Blend is another wonder, and one can only make the connection with the kind of music that Van Spall and company have created. The blend of genres and influences is soft, manageable, and would probably stand the test of time without any heavy wear and tear. Who knows if the reference was intended, or just a love for fabrics. But all of that aside, Cotton-Poly Blend is a great in its telling of life stories and is a wonderful debut of music that will only get better as life goes on.
"Cotton-Poly Blend"
reviewed by
Michael Capozzoli, Jr., a freelance journalist and former Billboard writer
VANESSA VAN SPALL
‘COTTON-POLY BLEND'
Awaken to a beautiful voice
and brilliant lyrics.
Venture into a mix of music,
sung with passion, by
a gifted vocalist.
Experience the extraordinary music
BUY
VANESSA VAN SPALL
‘COTTON-POLY BLEND'.
end.
"Hopeful"
reviewed by eartaste
“An hour past the sunrise in a San Francisco morning mist driving down Van Ness toward the shoreline.” Sounds like a novel, or an on-the spot reporter. Notice the lack of traditional rhyme. No prob, add a voice and some background music and we move far beyond anything we want to consider “traditional”. In all reality I feel like I’m floating above the mist looking down on the scene as she sings. The narration tells us this is the first time driving this street, but doesn’t tell us what causes the despair that’s being felt. Turns out to be okay because the song looks forward, not back. “And I sure feel hopeful. Hopeful that today will be beautiful and chase despair away.” As I float ever higher, I can admit this song has accomplished that for me. The morning fog images of San Francisco brings back many good memories, however the song transcends place and works just as well 2000 miles away.
eartaste.com
"Cotton-Poly Blend"
Genre: pop
reviewed by Georgia Moncrief, Go Girls Music
This is Van Spall’s third cd and I think she has a winner with this one. The sound truly draws the listener in and the vocals take one to a place not often found. When it comes to creating a truly independent sound with one’s music, Vanessa Van Spall has certainly found a way to do that with her latest release. I agree whole heartedly with her statement: “This music is for anyone who’s ever made mistakes, been afraid or just taken the long way to get there.” This one needs to be in your music collection!
