Dana Falconberry
Oh Skies of Grey (00:02:59)Toward the end of Dana Falconberry’s debut LP sits “Fluorescent,” a narcotic, slow-burning guitar haze that abruptly breaks up the folk-jazz trot of the first half of the album. It feels completely vulnerable, and yet it’s here Falconberry finally bares her teeth. The young guitarist has impressively deepened her vocal range since first collaborating with formally local singer-songwriter Red Hunter and her sparer 2006 EP, Paper Sailboat. Oh Skies of Grey stretches out with bassist Luis Guerra and drummer Michael Longoria – both of whom have accompanied Patty Griffin live and in the studio – and backup vocals from Gina Dvorak and Erika Maassen, giving Falconberry’s honeyed vocals room to linger. The old-timey, harmonic feel of Grey yields lovely, charming, romantic songs, dancing toward country (“Do You”), Americana (“Singing Lullabies”), and cabaret (“Love Will Never Leave You Alone”), where Falconberry’s Weimar-esque delivery is a slick thrill. It’s a sweet album that feels like it still has darker sides to explore; more “Fluorescent” moments would be nice among all the blues and silvers and satin. With those, Falconberry could soon be dancing in the next wave of Southern Gothic.
This article appears in October 10 • 2008.