Academy of Music, Northampton, MA
April 24, 2015
by Eric Sutter
Signature Sounds' singer-songwriter Heather Maloney shared
her CD release party for "Making Me Break" with a warm receptive
audience at Northampton's Academy of Music. The concert was staged for those
who love without boundaries. Suitcase Junket lone star Matt Lorenz from Amherst
opened with " Earth Apple" and other songs from his CD "Make
Time." His unique, to say the least, one-man band music incorporated junkyard
guitar, suitcase bass drum, silverware, cook pot, and throat whistling.
Heather Maloney
merged folk, pop and indie rock soul in an image invoking style that initially
set the tone for the intimate "Nightstand Drawer." Her adventurous
folk included a beautifully voiced "Oh Hope, My Tired Friend." Her
Joni Mitchell cover of "Woodstock" registered high on the audience
list of favorites, offering an honest calming effect.
Each number clearly told a story. [I am made of] "Dirt and Stardust" was a
rambling song about coping with life. "Daddy's Dreams and Mother's
Heart" made for especially thought provoking lyrics. The lyrics of nearly
all of the evening's songs veered close to poetry, with Maloney's musicianship
becoming more and more refined as the concert progressed. "No Short
Cuts" called for audience participation to set the hand-clap rhythm for
flow of melody to this story song. "Flutter" seemed to float off
somewhere new, vocally, with a dance among the stars in a bright ray. Maloney's
voice swooped and dove through the air to catch the shine. "Involuntary"
offered a personal story from a wife's perspective about a war's effect on her
husband. "Otherwise" rocked freedom close to the edge with acoustic
guitar, banjo, and harmonies. The passionate love song "Linger
Longer" had Maloney center stage in her red dress on electric guitar. This
was pure sonic beauty.
The lovely "Turn Yourself Around" closely
connected the audience with the singer at the close. Like most concerts, an
encore is never a surprise. Maloney, along with Chris Freemen Harrison, offered
a powerful "Wrecking Ball" followed by a smooth "Roadside Lily."
