Cheryl Wheeler has a knack for infusing her songs with intense emotion using her voice alone. I was first attracted to her music through humorous songs like "Potato," but I've come to love the heart-breakers as well. Defying Gravity kicks off with one of those heart-breakers ("Since You've Been Gone"), and the pain in her voice is so evident that one can almost touch it. The CD then shifts into a contemplative picture with the song "Little Road," and the voice that was just wrought with pain is now full of hushed reverence.
Meandering on through the recordings of reflective moments and regret, as well as contented happiness, Defying Gravity lays out the depth and breadth of Wheeler's songwriting. Thrown in here and there are a couple of songs that comment on recent events ("Here Come Floyd") and some of the trials of modern life in America ("On the Plane"). Wheeler even delights those of use who enjoy her wit with a tribute to the classics in her commentary on cell phone ring tones ("It's the Phone").
All the way from heartache to whimsy, Wheeler takes us along the paths of life's journey.
Article comments
1 - Greg Hopkins
THIS ALBUM REALLY HITS HOME. JUST TURNING 40 LAST AUGUST, I AM AT THE POINT OF MY LIFE THAT MOST OF THE SONGS JUST CUT TO THE CORE OF MY BEING, MY SOUL. SINCE YOUV'E BEEN GONE,MAKES ME FEEL CLOSER TO THE SPECIAL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, THAT ARE NO LONGER WITH US. IT HAS ALSO HELPED ME TO LET OUT ALOT OF THE GRIEF THAT I HAVE BEEN SUPPRESSING FOR A LONG TIME NOW. THEY SAY "YOU GOTTA HURT, IN ORDER TO HEAL". WELL THIS SONG CONFIRMS THAT OLD SAYING FOR ME.
I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF MISS WHEELER OVER 20 YEARS NOW AND THOUGHT SHE COULD NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN SHE IS..
I HAVE TO SAY THAT CHERYL WHEELER HAS DONE IT AGAIN, AND THIS IS HER BEST WORK YET. IT REALLY REFLECTS THE PHASE OF HER LIFE, AND WHERE SHE IS TODAY AND WHAT SHE HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH.
DON'T THINK IT IS ALL SAD BECAUSE TRACKS #8, #11 AND #12 ARE A HOOT AND A HOLLAR!!! SHE IS SURE TO HAVE YOU CRYING ONE MINUTE AND ROLLING IN THE FLOOR THE NEXT!!!
THANKS FOR LETTING ME POST ABOUT MY FAVORITE FOLK ARTIST!!!
GREG HOPKINS, JOHNSON CITY, TN.