*** Vance Gilbert

SHAKING OFF GRAVITY

(Philo)

Flight has become a recurring theme for Boston singer-songwriter Vance Gilbert. In the past, he's sung of Amelia Earhart and of racing pigeons. On "Shaking Off Gravity," Gilbert uses the theme to explore interpersonal relationships. He alludes to a mythological tragedy during "Icarus by Night"; he explores the frustration of lovers taking flight from each other. The humorous, between-song banter of his live shows is missing, but Shaking Off Gravity compensates with personal revelation and Gilbert's passionate delivery. He produced the album himself, and it's more sparsely arranged than his earlier efforts, though additional tone colors are supplied by Everett Pendleton (electric guitar), Vinx (udu), John McCann (mandolin), Cliff Eberhardt (dobro), Matt Glaser (violin), Patty Larkin (accordion), and Dee Carstensen (harp). Yet the spotlight remains on Gilbert's delicate acoustic fingerpicking and his pure and soulful tenor.

-- Craig Harris