Natalie
Acciani – I Can Dream (Independent)
Natalie Acciani was born and raised in southern New
Jersey, where, at an early age, she discovered country music. Already a gifted
singer, when she was 13 she began vocal schooling with renowned opera singer
Badiene Magaziner, who helped her develop her three octave range, and her
well-rounded classical training included instruction in a wide variety of
genres, including opera, jazz, Broadway, pop and, of course, country. She
taught herself guitar at 17 and hit the open mic circuit, releasing her debut
record “A Dangerous Thing” in 2010.
Maybe it’s her New Jersey upbringing, but Acciani’s
style is a long way from pure country or the heavily produced country-pop that
Nashville concentrates on these days. Instead, she incorporates a cool classic
rocking sensibility into her songs, which fans of Tom Petty and Bruce
Springsteen may well appreciate. Though only six tracks in length, “I Can
Dream” is a fine introduction, and will inevitably lead new listeners to her earlier
recordings.
The EP begins with “Today”; its upbeat sentiments are
underpinned my what sounds like retro keyboards and a lively pedal steel
guitar. Acciani’s a confident, refined singer, with a great variation of tone,
which she puts to excellent effect throughout the collection. The title track
is just as impressive, with Acciani’s sultry delivery taking centre-stage, and
“Oh Darlin'” indicates a talent for cheese-free
balladry.
Phil S.
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