There is something very old school pop-jazz/singer-songwriter about the album Curtains of Light by Toronto’s Whitney Ross-Barris. The lady sprinkles her compositions with folk, soul, and of course jazz accents, which here remind us of some of Joni Mitchell’s best years, elsewhere Tammi Terrell, and often also some prodigy that Broadway let slip through its fingers.
Whitney Ross-Barris’s constructions are swathed in generous arrangements with a profusion of keyboards, from piano to Hammond, brass, strings and choir. That said, it never crosses the line into big band or pop “with strings.” In terms of rhythm, Ross-Barris maintains an engaging level of energy which, combined with the rich instrumental texture, allows him to tackle themes of intimacy that we can all relate to and find ourselves in.
I wouldn’t say Ross-Barris has a beautiful voice, but she knows how to use it effectively and convey a variety of moods.
Curtains of Light is an attractive album that rises above its “mainstream” premises.
