New Jersey Stage 2015 - Issue 6 | Page 39

star. Anna is well on her way with her strong second studio album Storyteller. The 12 track CD is book-ended by the compelling title track with plenty of persuasive prose in between. LaPrad herself is a fine storyteller sharing her tales of life and complicated relationships. Anna’s voice runs the range from smoky to smooth in songs that blend elements of country and rock. Highlights of Storyteller also include the wanton “Wanted Woman” paired with the fiery “Watch It Burn” and later the prayerful “Preacher’s Daughter.” Anna is already leaving her mark as “Till It Breaks My Heart” a song Laprad co-wrote was used in the film Category 5. Keep an eye out for this rising star. Matt Campbell is an American, traveling troubadour who we happened to meet in Nashville at one of Matt’s stops on his “Back in the Country” tour. Campbell’s 2013 release No Tattoos captures the 2015 - ISSUE 6 essence of songs composed on the road over a three year period. Some of the sixteen-tracks on this CD features Matt’s solo on guitar and/or harmonica singing his vivid tales in a distinctive voice. Others songs showcase diverse line-ups of players who give Campbell’s tunes a fuller sound. Matt’s travels begin in a bar with a contemplative country-flavored band ballad asking “How Can I Love You?” The journey continues through other musical landscapes and by track eight Matt finds himself with the lonesome “West Texas Blues,” which he shakes off with the lively “Can’t Slow Down” punctuated by a feisty fiddle. Be on the lookout as this talented troubadour may be coming to a town near you. EVEN MORE NOTABLE RELEASES! Church Of Betty, one of our favorites, returns with a new doctrine for our Swirled World. Charismatic frontman Chris TABLE OF CONTENTS 39