Baxter has his own time to shine in "Drum Battle" which incidentally is an interesting strategy to have a track on the album not including Marie at all. Marie and Baxter kept the tracks in a cohesive and smart order. Obviously both "Drum Battle" and "Piano Blues" cannot stand on their own, but fit beautifully between "America the Beautiful" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee"
Traditionally, I'd suggest specific tracks that stand out, but because of Rene Marie's careful arranging skills, all of the tracks are lovely to listen to. The best of the Imagination Medley has to be "Drift Away" because of its genius arrangement. As for the Voice of My Beautiful Country Suite, "Life Every Voice and Sing" is creative. Either the Imagination or Voice sections could have stood powerfully as individual EPs, but instead the listeners are treated to a wonderful album. Marie knows what she wants, and she arranges everything beautifully from her own vocals to the bass line. Listening to the whole album gives me high hopes for her next album Black Lace Freudian Slip.







Article comments