Upbeat blend of soulful acoutic blues and strong vocals with a light country feel in places.

12 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Acoustic Blues, EASY LISTENING: Soft Rock



Details:
"She's good. She's damn good." Sting's summation of his duet with singer/songwriter Diane Durrett speaks for anyone who's ever heard her perform.

Durrett has long reflected the musical passions that inspired her when growing up in Atlanta. From her energy-driven breakthrough debut "50,000 Volts of Soul" (1993) to her superbly executed "Rhythm of Life" (1998) to her most recent release "Chill," Durrett has continued her musical expedition toward defining her distinctive voice.

During her five year education on Nashville's Music Row and her stint at Polygram, Durrett learned the songwriting business from an inside perspective. She is president of The Durrett Publishing Company, now based in Atlanta. Songs in her catalog include co-writes with Bonnie Bramlett, Jerry Ragovoy, Jimbeau Hinson and Georgia Music Hall of Famer William Bell. She has received accolades in Spain, the Neverlands, Belgium and Germany for her song "Take Me As I Am," which is on the sountrack of the film "Ready, Willing and Able," and also for her selection of "Blue Eyed Soul" on the internationally released "Peach State Blues" compilation distributed by Warner Brothers.

Durrett's soulfully acoustic "Chill" marks yet another rung up the music ladder. Although the acoustical element is a departure from her previous releases, "Chill" retains the soulful roots that have become her trademark. Durrett's mantra, "A great song stands up without excessive production," is proven true as acoustic guitars, stand-up bass and cello weave so much warmth that listeners loosen up and "chill," even as Durrett's sultry voice sends chills up the spine.

Honored early on by the Atlanta Songwriter's Association, Durrett has continued to hone her craft by producing music in major studios. Her newest work carries the weight and maturity of a songwriter seasoned by the spices of experience, and the resulting "Chill" can be found woven into every track. Each selection has the meat of a stand-alone great, with the center cuts "Somebody Else," "The Mirror" and "The Gift" providing the marrow.

Durrett says, "Songs are the colorful fibers that weave our lives together. They comfort us, help us reflect and find direction and express our love. Great songs are invisible threads that pull people together." "Chill" is all fiber and no fluff. From its acoustical leanness to its standout lyrics, "Chill" is prime.

Durrett has opened for Faith Hill, Patty Loveless, Tina Turner, Delbert McClinton and Derek Trucks and lit up Atlanta in a "Stormy Weather" duet with Gregg Alman. In the corporate arena, she lent her vocal talents to a major ad campaign for Ford and co-wrote the annual song for Primerica with Jayne Olderman. The Kroger Corporation selected the acclaimed Durrett/Olderman song "Whatever Makes Your Soul Sing" for their 100th year celebration.

Durrett was once quoted as saying, "I want to leave songs that reach across generations and bring people together." With "Chill," her legacy will always live on.