JULIET SIMMONS DINALLO
DREAM GIRL
BFD 140
DREAM GIRL–MOONSHINE AND SWEET TEA–THE ABYSS–SOMEONE FOR YOU–TENNESSEE–FLY (A PRAYER FOR SANDY HOOK)–DON’T GOT MUCH–UNTIL I GO–CURIOUS GEORGE–IN THE CORNER
Juliet Simmons Dinallo grew up in Maine and Boston, but now resides amidst the musically-fertile ground of East Nashville. Drawing on a style that is playfully described as “Boston roots and cowgirl boots,” she has just released her latest album, “Dream Girl.” Her rich, supple voice pulls in elements of both Nashville and Memphis, and this set deals with the challenges involved with moving, growing up, and getting older.
The set begins with the title cut, written by Juliet’s husband for their daughter, Annabel. (Thus its actual title, “Dream Girl (Annabel’s Lullaby.”) This breezy track finds our heroine looking at the world thru a child’s perspective, “dreamin; of a better world,” and is reprised at the end of the set, with Annabel’s recording debut, singing the track! In between, there is a poignant look at the Sandy Hook tragedy, “Fly (A Prayer For Sandy Hook)”, with additional backing vocals from fellow Bostonians Amber Casares and Anita Sahanin. They also add backing vocals to a beautiful, waltz-time number, “Moonshine And Sweet Tea,” with the authentic instrumentation provided by Tim Carter, a direct link to the Carter Family.
Our favorites leaned more toward Juliet’s bluesier side. A mythical 200-mile road trip evokes memories of “white picket fences, all the way from Nashville to Memphis,” the bright-and-breezy “Tennessee.” And, “Curious George”is rocked-up, stones style, and deals with spoiled-brat rich kids, who, sadly, grow into spoiled-brat adults, wondering “what their money won’t buy!”
Juliet Simmons Dinallo is touring throughout Tennessee, and makes a couple of stops in Cleveland and Cincinnati, and one in Acton, MA. Get out and support her and her brilliant voice and “Dream Girl.” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.
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