MP3 Courtney Yasmineh - Sufi Line

Courtney Yasmineh has believed in Bob Dylan, mixed and mingled, traveled extensively, sung from her depths, fronted bands in working-man bars, shaken it like she means it, casually channeled talent and charisma and drive, and won audiences.

11 MP3 Songs
POP: 90's Pop, ROCK: Folk Rock



Details:
Courtney Yasmineh has believed in Bob Dylan, mixed and mingled, traveled extensively, sung from her depths, fronted bands in working-man bars, shaken it like she means it, casually channeled talent and charisma and drive, and won audiences with a devil-may-care sensuality and with her seemingly prescient ability to drive a song. She hopes to see you out there.

The only way to grow is to take risks, to try different things, which is what Courtney Yasmineh set out to do with her latest project, Sufi Line-a musical and creative leap of faith borne of a higher level of commitment to her music and a desire to prove that she could take a road less traveled. She simply did what felt good at the time, what felt real and honest and true. It's not easy releasing a collection of songs expressing how one honestly feels about things that matter, things that actually mean something-integrity, empathy, deciding how to live one's life-but Courtney couldn't help it; these were the only songs she could write at the time, and for the first time, she gave in to the songs rather than forced a direction upon them. From textured white gospel to playful front-porch pop, the songs on Sufi Line prove that diverse musicians, accomplished songwriting, and well-lived miles expressed through the soul of an examined life don't have to be a drag.

Sufi Line is more than a musical leap of faith; it's also testament to the power of collaboration. Producer Rob Genadek, whose past work includes a groundbreaking turn at the helm of folk hero John Gorka's last release, brought his innate ability to take disparate threads and weave an inspired whole. Keyboardist Jeff Victor, on loan from the Honeydogs, turned in what he claimed were "some the most innovative performances of his career." It's a point that's hard to argue. A trio of guitarists-Dirk Freymuth, Dean Magraw, and Jon Herchert-alternate between intuition and reason, lilting acoustic and electric hot-buttered soul, and the divine and the damned. Seminal session drummer JT Bates, along with bassists Enrique Toussaint and Jim Anton, navigates the songs according to their personal trajectories. Stated simply, music cannot feel forced when musicians are this sympathetic to the material. Enjoy.