Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
When we remove ourselves from the position of strength and security, we learn a valuable lesson about being vulnerable in later life. We may have succeeded in taming the land around us once, we may have fought like tigers to gain the respect of others and be seen as a beacon of independent thought and muster but open the door to a new outlook and we become the nervous creatures that once drew arms against the frustration of others not taking our words seriously, we become new in the face of experience that History repeats itself for a reason.
History repeats, however, those who see that they have to take a leap of faith to show to the world that they are more than just the considered artist to whom they believe they know, they are the ones who reap the rewards of evolving, they understand the necessary steps that life puts before them and they sing the praises of daunting fear with ever greater gusto.
For the front-woman of the celebrated Alabama Shakes, the prolific and sensual voice of Brittany Howard, removing herself from the exulted position and putting herself, one might suggest in a type of artistic sacrifice or expense, in the realm of the solo recording, is one of absolute faith and faith’s name is Jaime.
Stepping from one limelight to another is one of progression, and whilst Ms. Howard is encouraged by her own guitar and with Zac Cockrell on bass, Robert Glasper on keys and Nate Smith on drums, it is the haunting melody of her vocal talent that draws the biggest and most pleasurable applause.
Across songs such as History Repeats, Georgia, Stay High, 13th Century Metal and Presence, Brittany Howard soars, there is no doubt that the leap of faith she undertook was one in which was not to fear but instead embrace and the vocal, the energy of the music made it all worth-while.
We must always seek the next step in our own personal growth lest we find ourselves tramping through the quagmire of victories won, History is apt for change and for Brittany Howard it is change that comes out on top as the victor.
Brittany Howard’s Jaime is out now and available via Columbia Records.
Ian D. Hall