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Jeannine Hebb - Wileaway Album Review

Several weeks back, the current single for Jeannine Hebb, 'Call Him Out' was brought to my attention for a first listen.  The quirky throw back traditional song reminded me enough of Meaghan Smith's The Cricket's Orchestra that I was going to dig deeper.

Jeannine Hebb's 'Call Him Out' from Whileaway



I picked up the album, Whileaway, on it's release date September 20th, 2011 and started to digest it.  'I Believe' immediately surprised me with an R&B type number that is perfectly sung and not too over powering like Alicia Keys.  I was already way off of expectations and Jeannine changed it up yet again with a Pop number ' Back to Me Again'.  It was a 180 degree turn from 'Call Him Out' with a shout out loud confident vocals reminiscent of a Katy Perry track.

As I made it through Whileaway I was continually surprised with the impressive vocal range, especially 'Tell Me No' and 'Tragedy'.  Listening to 'Heartache' and 'Low' I'm tempted to bring to mind other female favorites, like Fiona Apple or Regina Spektor with the bouncy piano tunes and dreamy chorus, as in Regina's 'Eet'.

Whileaway has the variety of a Tori Amos or Regina Spektor album without the alt-quirkiness.  The best is that this is not just a mash-up by a genre hopper trying to find something to stick.  Often  I have to re-check my iPod to see who I am listening to, surprised to see this up and comer as the artist, when I expect to see a top40 veteran.  

These songs of heartache and experience have straight forward lyrics and they don't rely on the same old patterns or shtick.  Wrapping up the album, I am saddened by yet another song of heartbreak.  Truly, I am impressed at how many ways she can wrap up betrayal, mistrust, and heartbreak both in song and lyric.  The album is fresh and versatile, and I find my self drawn to it and listening to it over and over again.

Jeannine has performed at notable venues in the Northeast including: Scullers, The Ragatta Bar,The Middle East, The Bitter End, The Living Room, Rockwood Music Hall, and Galapagos Art. She's appeared with jazz legends Ben Monder, Clarence Penn, and Tim Ries, and has served as an opening act for two-time Grammy nominee Tracy Bonham. She recently sang on a track for internationally recognized DJ Breakfast, and has recorded a duet for country musician Greg Garing's upcoming release on L.E.S records.

With the release of her upcoming Whileaway, Jeannine Hebb, Berklee grad and Brooklyn resident, shows her prowess as a technically trained singer/songwriter ready to step out of her former shell and step boldly into the spotlight!

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