MIMI BURNS
Slipping Away (Self-released)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Mimi Burns' website claims the music on her debut album features a "Celtic twist." Now, I happen to appreciate a Celtic twist myself, but I had to listen long and close to find it among the ten tracks of Slipping Away (it's there, most noticably on the title track), but that's a good thing. In the process, I got to hear a bunch of folky pop with a blues twist well sung and well played. This is a real good one, no matter what stylistic box you find to wrap it in.

Burns has a strong voice, with hints of an early Bonnie Raitt in her delivery, but the best thing about this disc is the songwriting. A good lyric is important, and she writes a fine lyric, but the most commonly overlooked element of songwriting seems to be the importance of a good, original melody. There aren't many good ones, and most of them have been used, but Burns finds some new ones. When she does fall back on the familiar, she has a knack for tweaking a tune to her own devices.

This is a fine first effort, which may be bad news for fans of her late night radio show in Cupertino, CA, because I suspect her on-the-air future may lie more in the field of getting airplay than giving it.

Track List:

Tattoo * Million Miles Away * Your Picture * Cry * The Frontlines * Tombstone * Far Away * Over The City * No Lovin' * Slip Away

© 2001 - Shaun Dale