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Elisabeth Lohninger - The
Only Way Out Is Up (Lofish Music)
Released: 2006
Austrian-born, Ms. Lohninger has been working in a number of genres
since making New York her home in 1994. Everything from Austrian folksongs
to electronica to what she calls "pop-soul."
So then, this disc is an eclectic mix of tracks - with some tracks that
are hauntingly beautiful, like the opening "Mirage," and others (I'm not a
fan of improvisational jazz) that sound like a band tuning up.
Seven of the ten tracks are Ms. Lohninger's originals - sometimes sounding
like trying to pack ten pounds of lyrics into a five-pound bag. Now, I'm
not partial to lyrics like "The only way out is up | You better get up,
and get your butt out of the mud." It just doesn't have that classic feel,
y'know? On the other hand, taking a chance now and then is what progress
is all about.
And even though I'm not a fan of improv, the clearly improvisational
"Swimming Upstream," and a lesser-known track from "The Wiz," titled "Be a
Lion," offer both Ms. Lohninger and Saxaphonist Donny McCaslin an
opportunity to strut some pretty good stuff.
The final track, "Free To Fall," is also a great showcase for both Ms.
Lohninger and the band - composed also of Walter Fischbacher on keyboards,
Chris Tarry on Bass, Hari Ganglberger on drums and Mino Cinelu on
percussion.
My problem is that I can't just put the disc on and walk away. It's that
eclectic, and to my ears, too eclectic, and doesn't hang together well as a mood-setter.
It's iTunable, though - so that means "a la carte" is possible here, and
you really shouldn't miss Ms. Lohninger's versatile alto - she's got a
fabulous voice - that can be both sensual and soaring. So - I'd suggest
starting with "Mirage," as a must-buy, then try "Swimming Upstream,"
and "Free to Fall." If you like those three, experiment with the others.
With ten tracks on the disc, there's no penalty for nibbling instead of
buying the whole pie, here.
I'll be looking for what's next from Ms. Lohninger - you should, too.
  Two
and one-half microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(02/09/07) |
