Ariel is 19, the same age Adele was when she released her successful debut album two years ago. Like Adele, Ariel has a voice that is much bigger than her age would suggest. But where Adele scores by sheer force, Ariel builds anticipation by holding back.
Gentle restraint sets the tone on her album ‘Still So New’ and only occasionally does Ariel let her voice soar like a pretty but deadly kitty hawk. Listen to the chorus of ‘No Great Pretender’ and tell me the hairs on your neck aren’t standing up.
Watch The Video For ‘No Great Pretender’!
It’s an accomplished tightrope walk between urban cool and the occasional glimpse of honky tonk fire that Ariel performs on her new songs. Raised in Austin, Texas, Ariel has been singing hardcore country since the age of 11. She’s also well steeped in the Blues, having hung out with the late great piano player Pinetop Perkins and the late music mogul Clifford Antone, who is widely credited with discovering Stevie Ray Vaughan back in the day.
Such solid musical education pays off and Ariel now possesses a voice and a writer’s touch that transcends genre boundaries. With THAT voice, Ariel could sing anything. That she chooses to drape her new album in what can be loosely described as contemporary Country is kind of secondary. With it’s timeless songwriting and restrained arrangements ‘Still So New’ has a universally laid back vibe that doesn’t sound out of place if you blast it on your car stereo during an urban ride.
‘Still So New’ is Ariel’s second album, following her debut ‘Exclamation Love’ from 2008. It’s a showcase for a singer and songwriter who has found her voice but has not been pigeonholed yet. From here, Ariel can go anywhere she chooses.
Listen Here To Ariel Abshire - No Great Pretender
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen Here To Ariel Abshire - Fourth Of July
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
