Caroline Cotter returns to play at Charles and Myrtle's Coffeehouse on Saturday at 8 p.m. The coffeehouse is inside Christ Unity Church at 105 McBrien Road. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door.
Review for Caroline Cotter:
"I've got roots that go deep and grow deeper the more I leave my home," Caroline Cotter sings in the title cut of the sparkling Home on the River, the second full-length major release from the sweetly expressive Americana artist who has found a true home on the road and on diverse musical stages throughout the world. Co-produced by Cotter and Jeff Oehler of Beehive Productions and recorded in scenic Saranac Lake, New York, as well as in Kansas City, Mo., "Home on the River" emphasizes both the freedom of wanderlust and a sense of place. The album features nine original songs plus Cotter's hauntingly lovely a capella version of Woody Guthrie's "My Peace".
Opening "Home on the River" is "Peace of Mind," a declaration of Cotter's aspirations, both personally and professionally. “I’ve talked with many people who see the goal of a music career to be wealth and fame," she says, “but when I thought about it and really dug deep, I realized that everything I'm doing is to move forward with peace of mind. I’m taking the focus off of material wealth and recognizing that none of it matters if you don't have peace of mind."
From poignant reflections about her parents ("When I Think of You" and "Hey Mama") and grandparents ("1 4 3," which is based on the numbers of letters in the phrase, "I love you") to the title cut, "Home on the River" stands on a solid ground with a view both inward at the self and outward to the world. Brought to life by vivid, thoughtful lyrics and Cotter's honeyed soprano, the tunes are lightly tinged with raw emotion and brimming with honest, soul-searching expression. "My music is my honest expression of myself, reaching out to a world who I hope to connect with. There are a few songs that are one take, live with the band. No separations in the studio, just live in one room with bass, drums, electric guitar and me."
"Home on the River" is the follow-up to Cotter's acclaimed 2015 debut, "Dreaming as I Do", which reached No. 5 on the Folk DJ chart. Since that time, Cotter has played over 200 shows per year in such prestigious venues as Boston's Club Passim and the Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, Or., Florida's 30A Songwriters Festival and New York's legendary Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. Along the way, she has shared stages with musicians Loudon Wainwright III, David Wilcox and Dan Bern, and was selected for the Emerging Artist Showcase at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York.
"American folk music filled our house, and was sung as lullabies to me," Cotter says of her earliest musical inspirations, which inform her own body of work. "I remember as young as three sitting in the living room by myself, working the record player while sitting on the piano stool plunking out notes from the George Winston, Beach Boys, or Beatles record I was listening to. My favorite was Magical Mystery Tour."
Over the past 15 years, Cotter's magical, musical tour has consisted of living in and traveling to 31 countries on five continents. While writing and recording her first album, she spent time working for the Council on International Educational Exchange in Portland, Maine, as well as teaching yoga throughout the city and at camps, conferences and retreats. Prior to living in Maine, she spent time working in France, Portugal, Spain and Thailand, studying yoga in India, and traveling in South America. In addition to writing songs in English, she sings in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian and Sanskrit.
Caroline Cotter grew up in Providence, R.I., and attended college in Maine before setting off on what has become a global quest for adventure and education set to music and she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Cotter will tour the United States throughout 2018 in support of the release of "Home on the River". She will also return to Europe where her fresh, organic sound has enchanted audiences in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Belgium, and Germany.
"The real thread [of 'Home On The River'] is the peace with being on a journey and carrying my home with me, rather than finding comfort from home in the traditional sense."