Allison Moorer
Miss Fortune (Universal South) Nashville-based Allison Moorer has produced memorable music in the past. However, on Miss Fortune, her third release and first for the fledgling Universal South imprint, she really hits her stride. Like her sister Shelby Lynne, Moorer has always straddled the fence between country and rock, but this time, she adds a healthy dose of Southern soul to the mix and the effect is extraordinary. Where she had only hinted at the Dusty Springfield in her, now it’s in full blossom. Tunes like the sultry “Tumbling Down” and the funky strut “Ruby Jewel Was Here” offer a nice balance to such country-tinged offerings as “Can’t Get There From Here,” co-written with Bruce Robison, and “Let Go.” Then there’s the orchestral accompaniment of “Cold In California,” a bold move that lends the song a stirring cinematic sweep. Moorer is a rare breed in today’s Nashville. She’s a songwriter with a singular vision and a sense of purpose, as well as a singer with a unique voice that can be expressive in a lot of different settings. Anyone who is not familiar with her name owes it to themselves to sample her talent, and Miss Fortune is an excellent place to start. (Sunday, Sept. 29, 12-12:45pm, Heritage stage.)
This article appears in September 20 • 2002.