Judith Avers: Press

Review of "Mountain and Shore" from Rootsville's, SMP:

 

"Not only because she is likable or very sweet but simply because Mountain and Shore,when you hear it for the first time,
is different from most  contemporary female singer/songwriters. I am very charmed by the way Judith Avers is interweaving authentic folk elements in her songs and not withstanding all that gives her elegant sound a modern touch.

A pleasant surprise! Un -American I would say, but it would be better to call it the best the American Country has to offer.

Everybody knows the feeling. You walk into a gallery or an exhibition where various artists show their work. Then you see
always objects that strike you because of their originality,creativity,sharpness or the right color combination. A modest label shows then that these items are sold or reserved for somebody. I am not surprised, because good work always prevails, just as this special work of Judith Avers.

 A few years ago
I was very taken by a comparable jewel,  the CD Stillhouse Road made by Julie Lee. Judith's album does the same to me this year. 

Mountain and Shore was  recorded in five days and has the pureness I'm looking for in an artist.  In every respect this album is very well taken care of and is truly a product to be proud of.  Starting with the cover that sends out a peacefull calmness and ending with the music and the variety of themes. The music is very steady but radiant with the instruments being the base for the record: guitar, mandolin, banjo and violin.I also appreciate the presence of Rose Sinclair,as multi-instrumentalist.  The harmonious backing vocals are the perfect finishing touch. Judith's own voice has sometimes a modest continuous vibration,showing the present emotions with dignity. Music to listen closely to and lyrics to read.
Introspective and melancholic work of an artist who is not afraid to share her music with you. Extremely beautiful!!!"  Rootsville - by SMP

Translation by Henk Bovenschen

Mountain and Shore Review by Martin Overheul June 10, 2009 www.altcountryforum.nl

Music is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and irritation, of animation and annoyance, or of passion and deception. And that is fine. Imagine that we would all love the same things and listen to the same records. I imagine that to be what hell would look like. For without bad there is no good, right? And without ugliness no beauty. How subjective and disputable that difference might be.

I am very fortunate that next to a lot of good music I also hear a lot of rubbish.  That way, I realize when I hear something very special, when I hear a voice that can melt the coldest of hearts  or listen to music that can  touch a soul in such a way that you can’t get it out of your mind for weeks.

Take for example the voice of Judith Avers, a young, remarkable and talented singer-songwriter from West Virginia. The songs on “Mountain and Shore,” her second CD in 4 years (in 2005 her first appearance “Strong Hands” came out) are without exeption breathtaking- musically as well as textually. It has been some time since I heard a record where the listener gets such intimate looks into the inner life of a human being. “There isn’t one thing or one more bit of love that I could have put into it,” says Judith Avers about her new CD, “It is what I had in me at the time.” And what she had in her at that time was amazing. “Mountain and Shore” opens at high level with the very intimate “Lilac Dreams” which, thanks to the pedal steel of Rose Sinclair (Martha Scanlan, Crooked Jades), gets a wonderful grand sound. Beautiful song,  but at the same time you worry to yourself,  ‘I hope this turns out well,’ because Avers starts on such a high level.   Avers avoids this trap brilliantly for the songs that follow are also fantastic. You will be seduced by the banjo solo (again Rose Sinclair) or the magnificent “Rocket Ship”- loaded with delightful harmonium (Anand Nayak, also producer), “All of It”,  and  “Karen”, one of the textual highlights of this CD, tells about a young woman who is unable to cope with the “hard times” she is going through and ends it all  “and with a crash she said goodnight.”

Heartbreaking? Yes. Beautiful? Very beautiful. Judith Avers excels in making these kinds of observations- full of compassion and understanding of the human imperfection. Add to this that she wraps her songs in a way that they never get melodramatic but are always feel like real life. For example in “West Virginia”, another highlight: “I am Vegas, baby. Turn me on. I am New York and I can’t keep up. I have done all I can do; put up a good fight, but I wanna be West-Virginia tonight.” More earthly is not possible.

“Mountain and Shore” ends with the heartbreaking “Love You Right,” the kind of lovesong everyone hopes will be written for her or him one day. “To love you tonight, I would scream. I would fight, but I would lay all my fear aside if I could love you tonight, I’d love you right.” Let there be no doubt; Judith Avers’ fantastic voice has conquered my heart already. And I am convinced that there will be many more songs to come.  - Martin Overheul, Alt Country Forum

Translation courtesy of Louise and Henke Bovenschen

Judith Avers voted Denver's Best Female Singer/songwriter 2005!

"Armed with just an acoustic guitar and a gorgeous voice that alternately recalls Gillian Welch, Rosie Thomas and Paula Cole, singer/songwriter Judith Avers could literally sing the classified ads and still be positively riveting. Fortunately, that won't be necessary: Avers is equally adept and compelling as a storyteller, crafting heartrending tales steeped in both hopefulness and despair."

-Westword Magazine, Denver's Premier Music Mag

Many musicians use their music as an emotional outlet — a way to express what's on their minds and a way to gain some sort of peace through their expression. Judith Avers' Strong Hands illustrates songwriting as an outlet. Her album begins with the soft plucking of an acoustic guitar and the first track, "Better Off," leads the album with a tale of loneliness. Her well-established sound can be likened to artists such as Gillian Welch, Rosie Thomas and Gemma Hayes, to name a few. It is no wonder the native Kansan (West Virginia transplant) has developed a name for herself; she has played with the likes of Glen Phillips, The Fray and The Subdues while touring around the nation.

In "Two Little People," Avers sings of a couple that seems to finally get what they want and come to the realization that a big house is no better than what they had when they started out. Her other songs reflect this longing for something more, a sort of fulfillment, and whether Avers' songs are autobiographical or fictional, their impact is the same. The tonality is somber and her imagery presents the listener with an aching feeling that mirrors the subjects of her songs. Avers' voice is haunting and captivating, ranging from a low-toned huskiness to higher, more whisper-like notes.

It seems as though this album represents a certain lost someone, perhaps a friend or lover. Undoubtedly, Strong Hands symbolizes a channel of some sort for Avers, who sings, "I'll get on / I'll get by." The simplicity of her instrumentation is perfectly balanced by the honesty of her lyrics. Horns are sometimes used, and Strong Hands maintains its organic feel due to the album's simplicity. Sometimes simpler really is better, and Avers provides a shining example. (Satire Records)

This past spring, Judith Avers quietly left Denver for the hills of West Virginia. Sadly, she moved before folks really got a chance to know her, but at least she left behind this achingly beautiful disc to remember her by. Strong Hand's sparse arrangements allow Avers's beguiling voice to take center stage. If only those hands were strong enough to keep her here.
--Dave Herrera, Westword Magazine December 2005

I want to know why you are how you are. An instance of insufferable memory came gripping my senses after I had harnessed the mountainous musical sensation of this truly remarkable sound and sonnet. Her soft presence made a lighthearted comfortableness inside myself. The songs were like grandma's patchwork and by the end, she had sewn together a blanket and wrapped me in it. Soft and melodic folk lullabies folded me into the warmth of spring and left me with creases in time as she sang in one of her songs, "I would wear you if I could." A reflection of my own life as I heard her stories and my own voice begging for me to recall! recall! all that brought me to this moment. Judith Avers- tell me your story.

The mildest bean in town, The Wild Bean, let everyone in on this peaceful sound. All generations were invited into this user-friendly coffee and smoothie bar on Friday, March 9th and all showed up to fill the place. From Liberal, Kansas, Judith Avers is a strong woman with one acoustic guitar, one voice, and the simplicity of truth. She stated that she didn't know what faith was until she discovered Ani Difranco and Independent films. What do Ani Difranco and indie films have in common? They dirupt the mainstream flow, because one person decides to venture off and pursue their own vision through faith. Faith is free and life is independent...how often we forget. Judith Avers is not only a singer/songwriter, but she is also involved with a program that is designed to empower teenage women of West Virginia. Go to www.highrocks.org to find out more about this tuition free leadership program.

The beauty of listening to Judith is the ear's sensation of hearing poetry in motion; listening to folk stories enhanced by music. These songs exist in the time the song explains, and although the times change, the song remains the same. The past cannot be changed, so neither can your story...
-Danielle Fleschner

The Oklahoma Songwriters & Composers Association, in association with The Woody Guthrie Coalition, is proud to announce the Annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition. This international, folk-oriented songwriting contest is held in conjunction with the 10th Annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, held in Woody's hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma, each July.

Judith Avers - 3rd place winner for her original song "What Do I Gotta Be Poor For?"

Judith Avers has won a slot on the much-anticipated CAM record compilation.

Judith's original song, "Better Off", will be joining the disc with artists:
The Fray
Born In The Flood
Yonder Mountain String Band
Hazel Miller
Gann Mathews
Nina Story

This new singer/songwriter looks as if she is here to stay.

The New Artist Showcase, one of the most popular events of the festival weekend, will be held from 12:00 noon to 4:30pm on Friday, July 27 on the Main Stage.

The following performers (listed in alphabetical order, not order of appearance) were selected from over 450 applicants:

Anthony da Costa
Beaucoup Blue
Bob Sima
Chris O'Brien
Dawn Kenney
Derek Aramburu
Edie Carey
Five2
Heather Waters
Jennings & Keller
Joe Crookston
Joe Jencks
Judith Avers
Ken Bonfield
Lindsay Mac
Nick Annis
Randall Williams
Ryan Fitzsimmons
Sandy Cash
Siobhan Quinn & Michael Bowers
Stephanie Marshall
The Whispering Tree
Vienna Teng
Zoe Mulford