Modern-Dance #44
MELISSA GIBSON
WELCOME TO STAY
Java Joe's Records
Album Review by Dave W. Hughes


Straight outta Nashville, Welcome To Stay is Melissa's second independent release, and it wouldn't be too much of a big shout to say that her influences are mainly Mary Chapin Carpenter and, although not quite as obvious, Joni Mitchell. There's fifteen tracks in all, and whilst the little sticker suggests certain tracks to 'listen to', they're all pretty damn fine songs. The band that accompanies Melissa are well capable, and if anything underplay a lot of the songs. What I mean is there's no flashy gimmicks, it's straight ahead new country, and what's perhaps more impressive is the fact that all the songs are originals, written by Ms. Gibson! The title track is a beautiful song, as is Table For Two (the sax makes all the difference, adding a certain warmth), Smoke And Mirrors and These Woods. Whilst I'd be the first to say that the songs won't rock any boats or crash and burn through existing expectations, what you do get is some fresh and honest songs of relationships, both the up and down sides, some gentle ballads, and it has to be said, the albums' been well produced. (Dw)