Album Name: Sepia
Artist: Julie Dalia
Year/Label: 2003 / Ceres Records
Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell
Julie Dalia has a lot of music in her and it all comes gushing out on the long, impressionistic songs of “Sepia”. Her voice is like velvet, rendering her words beautiful.
“Daughters” is haunting and has a loose structure. Its Native American touches go way deeper than the surface. Dalia’s vocals sound like Joni Mitchell here and they balance Daniel Wahpepah’s chants well.
“Feast of Salmon” tells of a spring rite in a mystical fashion. The song is jazzy and celebratory. Dalia sounds like Jane Siberry in her jazzier phases.
“Tchefunte River” has great singing by Julie Dalia and tight playing by her and the band. They evoke the songs tranquil mood well.
On the sublime “The Lover” she sings of Louisiana in moving ways.
The closing title track refers to Persephone, the goddess in Greek myth who was abducted by the Underworld’s ruler Hades to be his queen. Dalia takes the myth and gives it modern resonance. Her intense presence in this song is almost tangible.
“Sepia” is a truly original and compelling record.
Posted on July 15, 2003
Track Listing
1. Your Face No More
2. Daughters
3. Feast of Salmon
4. Tchefuncte River
5. The Lover
6. End of a Line
7. Reprise: Waiting for Rain
8. Sepia