Brandi Carlile burst onto my scene a few years ago with the fantastic single Closer to You.  Stunning vocals over carefully crafted melodies and somewhat deep lyrics for a young talent, I was grabbed immediately and couldn’t wait for the release of this album in 2007.  It did not disappoint.  I shared it with so many people in Ithaca that it made many top 10 lists here (actually #1 on mine!) and was the pre-show and intermission music of choice at countless State Theatre shows last season.

Often sounding like a young Bonnie Raitt, Brandi possesses skills beyond her years.  Whether its the piano ballad, Wasted, the fiery rocked out chorus in The Story, the raging My Song or the edgy calm of Late Morning Lullaby, there’s something here for everyone.  You will not be disappointed.  She even got a single in a car commercial which should help grow an audience…  I used to call this selling out, but now I applaud capitalism for actually occasionally choosing good tunes, but thats a point for a soapbox piece…

So as the State season opened last Thursday, it was only fitting for both the potential opportunity to bring Brandi to Ithaca to present itself during the afternoon and for our soundman extraordinaire, Todd, to break out the album as intro music for the first show of the season.  I smiled and knew it was time to send the offer.  Brandimay be here in November but for now, get to know how great this album is and we hope you’ll come see this true talent here in Ithaca if it all works out this November.