How to Turn People on to Allison Moorer

She’s not a household name, you’ve never seen her on "American Idol" and, chances are, you’ve never heard her records. More is the pity because she is a writer of unmatched ability, a vocalist whose distinctive sound makes her instantly recognizable, once you know her voice and in a musical world filled with assembly line style “artists”, she truly is unique. And if you are, by some chance, aware of her work and want to spread the good news, there are a few specific pieces of work that will spotlight her genius. Here’s how to turn people on to Allison Moorer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Allison Moorer CDs or
• Access to ITunes or
• Access to Ebay or Amazon

1. Learn Moorer’s work first surfaced in a couple of songs she sang for the movie “The Horse Whisperer.” Check out the soundtrack from that movie for a first glimpse at her sound. Right away, you’ll be able to hear the smoky, Dusty Springfield like quality that she brings to her recordings.

2. Understand one of the sparkling qualities of Moorer’s work is the way she combines a Memphis, bluesy, rootsy pop sound on her tracks and, especially her vocals, with songs that address subjects of have lyrics that you simply don’t expect to match the track…but they do. Check out “Mark My Word.” A more stunning song has never been written that addresses the reality of what love really is as opposed to what we imagine it is when we first fall.

3. How about a song that will knock you out and features a family of drunks and drug addicts? No? Bet the farm that you’ve never heard anything like “Dyin Breed.” The lyric is dark, negative, pessimistic, moody and you’ll want hear it over and over again. Moorer’s voice conveys the perfect blend of Marianne Faithfull sexy and lived a lifetime of heartache weariness.

4. For a change of pace and more proof that this is a talent to be reckoned with, play “Ruby Jewell.” Again, the ghost of Dusty Springfield hovers around, but that’s not taking away one moment of the sheer joy of hearing Moorer get every bit of every emotion portrayed in the track. There are many great other songs to enjoy, but these three alone will almost surely turn people on to Allison Moorer.