BRIGITTE DEMEYER
Nothing Comes Free (BDM Music)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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It's taken Brigitte DeMeyer a couple of years to follow up her excellent debut, Another Thousand Miles, but the final result is worth the wait. Nothing Comes Free offers ten outstanding new songs and a pair of well considered covers, performed by DeMeyer, longtime guitarist and frequent co-writer Chris Rossbach and a supporting cast that includes the core of Emmy Lou Harris' Spy Boy band, drummer Brady Blade and bassist Tony Hall. In addition, the inimitable Ivan Neville of the Neville Brothers is featured on piano and Hammond on several cuts and offers up a vocal duet on one. If there was any doubt that DeMeyer was a talent on the rise after her first outing, her ability to attract supporting talent at this level is proof that her elevation is well under way.

DeMeyer's own performance seals the deal. She has gained new confidence and power in her vocal performances and new strength and maturity as a lyricist. I described Another Thousand Miles as the kind of album that made me yearn to see a live performance, and while the desire to see her perform is undiminished, she seems to have a new mastery of the studio as well. This is an album complete in itself.

As good as her original material is, DeMeyer also establishes herself as a gifted interpreter. "Big Boss Man" is delivered with plaintive yearning, accompanied only by Stef Burns resonator steel guitar, and her version of the Lowell George classic "Roll 'Em Easy" has me punching the replay button every time I load the disc. Not too many times, though, because there's nothing here I want to miss hearing again.

Track List:

Another You * By Yer Side * Roll The Wheels * My Everything * Brother Of Mine * Big Boss Man * Nothing Comes Free * Hands Cannot Be Tried * Any Road * Ain't The One * Roll Em' Easy * Stand Where I Can See You

© 2003 - Shaun Dale