Eryn Shewell – 4th and Broadway

I received a friendly request to check out and review Eryn Shewell’s second album, 4th and Broadway.  I went straight to Eryn’s official page to find out more about her and listen to her music.  I knew straightaway that I could easily review 4th and Broadway.  Here is why.

Eryn was born in Washington, DC, but moved to New Jersey when she was just a young girl.  Like many other unsigned/indie musicians I am reviewing, Eryn was surrounded by music from the beginning.  Eryn is blessed with a musical family, so chose music as her career at an early age.  Since the age of ten, Eryn has been out there singing in public.  A daunting idea to most of us but not to this musical jewel.   Eryn can even boast that by the time she was fourteen she had written her own song.  Many established adult artists cannot even do that after many years in the music business.  Like so many true musical talents, Eryn taught herself guitar and even trained as a sound engineer so she could better understand some of the science behind the perfect sound.  Eryn is someone who takes her talent and craft very seriously, which I respect so much.

With all this training and music in her soul does Eryn’s new album, 4th and Broadway back this up?

YES! YES! and one more YES!

I genuinely cannot believe this great musical talent is not signed to a major record label.  Are they deaf or just plain stupid?  Eryn is light years ahead of so many of the signed artists out there.  I am finding this to be very typical, though.

4th and Broadway is a beautiful mix of country, pop and blues but with a big touch of soul, which is the magical voice of Eryn.

Beloved Goodbyes opens up the album and instantly I am knocked out by what I am hearing.  Eryn’s voice is full of so much depth and soul.  I sat and closed my eyes to this beautiful track.  The music and vocals swim along perfectly.  Bette Midler has a young daughter that none of us knew about – yes, Eryn reminds me so much of the phenomenal Bette.  The richness in Eryn’s voice is very much on par with Ms Midler.

When Already Wrote the Song kicks in I smile and my feet are going.  I am transported to the US Deep South and I see cowboys at some barn dance.  This song is fun and I love it!  Am I in Texas, Mississippi or Tennessee? I do not know but Eryn is taking me all over the South with this great upbeat track.  Eryn’s voice shows its power in this number and, dare I say it, that Bette sound is ever present.

Eryn brings the tempo down a little with Don’t You See.  The music is still a mix of genres that Eryn seems to pull off so well.  Her voice is solid and strong with Eryn not faltering at all when she slides up and down the scale with such ease.

Eryn really does have a very versatile voice, which Moment reveals.  All the power and depth is stripped away to expose a soft and delicate vocal full of vulnerability and love.  Moment is a beautiful and heartfelt song with great lyrics and one that has hit potential.

Satellite is passionate and powerful and definitely one of the hit songs from 4th and Broadway.  Eryn’s voice just keeps getting stronger and is so full of energy.  I love this song!  Eryn is sharing a part of her soul in this one.

One of my favourite has to be Work so Hard.  It is simply an exquisite and smooth little number.  I am transported to an elegant and sophisticated wine bar filled with gorgeous men and women wearing their finest.  They are sipping their cocktails whilst listening to the stunning Eryn, up on the stage in her long dress and fine pearls.  Yes, my imagination has gone wild but that is the power of Eryn and her musical genius.

4th and Broadway is a solid and coherent album.  This is not just a collection of singles.  The production, lyrics, vocals and theme are consistent and strong throughout.  4th and Broadway is a 100% serious, mature and professional creation by a major musical talent who has so much more to come.

I am so glad I was asked to review Eryn Shewell’s 4th and Broadway.  It is an honour and a great pleasure to do this.  I know I kept comparing her to Bette Midler, but Eryn does have her own unique and special talent and voice.  Eryn is right up there with Midler and should not still be releasing albums as an unsigned or independent artist.

Do not just take my word for it, go check out 4th and Broadway yourself.  I promise you will be a fan in no time.  I know I now am and will be listening to Eryn often.

Genre: Pop/Country/Blues/Soul

Album: 4th and Broadway (December 2009)

Perhaps you already have heard 4th and Broadway.  What did you think of it?

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Tagged as: Album, Arts, Bands and Artists, Bette Midler, Music, Music industry, New Jersey, Record label, Singing