Erica Wheeler

Date: Sat, 30 Nov 1996

Erica Wheeler is on her way to break out of the pack with her latest album The Harvest. It is an extraordinary collection of Erica's songs produced by Laurie Lewis who has given Erica a bit of a country sound. Released by Signature Sounds, it is rapidly gaining radio play beyond anything that can normally be expected of a folk album.

Erica's first effort was a 1989 tape, Strong Heart. We liked it and the rather shy Erica when we met at Falcon Ridge in 1990. We later saw her at Kerrville and watched her gain poise and confidence with From That Far, a strong CD produced in 1994 by Darlene Wilson. That album included the beautiful "Down River" which both Erica and Bernice Lewis sing. Darlene did a masterful job in pulling together a rich folk album. Enough said.

A native of Chevy Chase MD near Washington DC, Erica now lives in Northampton in the midst of the nicest folk community in the US. The level of mutual support and admiration is very impressive. Living in a community like that helps to center performers, and it is clear that it has done that for Erica.

The Harvest is an album with great depth and subtlety, gaining meaning and strength as you listen to it repeatedly. It really grows on you, both lyrically and musically. The title song is about a young couple whose lives take a tragic turn. Spirit Lake is about finding solace in nature:

	I climbed that silver mountain 
	all covered with rocks and snow 
	and every step I took I left my past behind 
	By the time I reached the top 
	had no worry, had no fear 
	I could see farther than a hawk 
	everything was just so clear

Arrowheads is a melodic song of love found and lost in New Mexico. And the songs that follow these are their equal. All of them are Erica's except for Claudia Schmidt's "Quiet Hills" which blends with the others nicely. There is the classic Erica funny song "Sober Harley Guys" followed by the torrid "Hot" and the wistful "Autumn."

Pay the price. Buy the album. Then go see Erica when she comes your way.

-30-

Last Updated on December 25, 1996 by Victor K.Heyman