Moon Over 97th Street

Editorial Reviews
Mitch Ritter, Concord, CA
From the romantic accordion swirling around a caressed acoustic guitar on the opening Elephant Learning to Dance, clear through to the faux scratchy surface noise that continues after the closing instrumental, Tenth Street Farewell, lending it the feel of a vintage vinyl LP, Moon Over 97th Street plays like a scrupulously conceived fin de siecle classic. Wool and her production partner, Daniel Weiss, have cabled together urban strands of anxiety, torpor, ambition, exhiliration, rapture slaking into rutted despair, and malaise. What emerges is a song cycle seen through eyes viewing the post-modern world, and struggling to see it through the eyes of her significant other. Devil You Dont carries the refrain I cant compete/with your idea of me and that theme artfully recurs throughout this exploration of how couples can be Playing both ends/Against the middle/But there is no middle/When the center wont hold.

Wool sings so close to the emotional waterfall that she compels undivided attention. Whether her nervy alto will go over the edge becomes the stuff of high drama. Wools dedication to the song, as manifest in her years working on her craft at Jack Hardys weekly songwriting circles in Greenwich Village, coupled with Weiss studio expertise and musical skills, has resulted in a debut of such focused intimacy that it will stun listeners well into the coming millennium.

About the Artist
Ina May Wool is an award-winning acoustic singer/songwriter. Now residing in New York City, Ina May has been called "a contemporary Jane Austen," and critics are exuberantly praising her debut CD, Moon Over 97th Street, released in March 1999 on Bang Zoom Records.

The album is produced by Ina May's musical partner and husband, Daniel A. Weiss, associate conductor of the hit Broadway musical Rent, who also plays guitar, organ, and keyboards in the show. Ina May and Dan wrote all of the tunes... read more

Album Description
Ina May Wool's debut CD, "Moon Over 97th Street," includes 11 songs with vocals and full production and one instrumental reprise. Here's how critics are describing it:

"a debut of such focused intimacy that it will stun listeners well into the coming millennium. MITCH RITTER, DIRTY LINEN, June/July 99.

"Produced with a full band, this is the kind of album that is indistinguishable from the hits of lucky folks like Sheryl Crow, whose only distinction is to have a few hundred thousand in promotional bucks behind them. This is a fine album from an artist who deserves to be noticed." Ed McKeon, Herald, New Britain, CT.

"A crystal-clear voice and worldly storytelling abilities. One of the most complete and enjoyable releases I've reviewed in a while, 'Moon' is well-crafted folk mixed neatly with strong pop sensibilities." Lisa Fairbanks, Rhythm and News.

Wools writing and delivery immediately stand out for their combination of finely honed quality and assured stylistic range, encompassing elements of folk, rock, blues, country, jazz and soul. SUE WILSON, The Scotsman, Scotlands national newspaper, Edinburgh, Scotland

"Juxtaposing the sophisticated balladry of the title track with the Cajunish stomp of J'ai Gagne, a celebration of a friend 'winning' a divorce, it covers a wide range of styles which Wool's voice unites with big-time assurance." ROB ADAMS, The Herald, Glasgow, Scotland.

Moon Over 97th Street

Tracks:

Elephant Learning to Dance
Down on Tenth Street
Moon Over 97th Street
I Won
Janis
Hotwired & Hungry
Don't Wanna Wait
Dark Star
Leopard
Devil You Don't
January Thaw
Tenth Street Farewell(instrumental)

Album Description

Ina May Wool's debut CD, "Moon Over 97th Street," includes 11 songs with vocals and full production and one instrumental reprise. Here's how critics are describing it:

"a debut of such focused intimacy that it will stun listeners well into the coming millennium. MITCH RITTER, DIRTY LINEN, June/July 99.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I expected.......2003-11-30

A blind purchase based on a few sound clips and enthusiastic customer reviews (are there any other kind here?) is always risky, and this one was a mixed blessing. Ina May Wool is a talented songwriter, literate both musically and emotionally, and an expressive singer whose full potential surely hasn't been realized here except in a few songs.

Ms. Wool is at her best when singing about the ups and downs of long-term relationships. "J'ai Gagné (I Won)", "January Thaw", and "Leopard" stand out, though only the first does so musically as well as lyrically. "Elephant Learning to Dance" and "Devil You Don't" are also fine relationship songs, though the latter is cutesy with its wordplay. The other material here is less successful, and the final instrumental track with its crackling-record sound seems out of place on a CD that is produced to perfection. "Janis" is just embarrassing. I cringed at the misuse of beatnik slang to evoke the late 60's, at the precious lyrics, at the strained connection between one of Joplin's lesser songs and her persona, and at what was for me a disconnect between the light silly tone of the song and its sad subject matter. Country Joe McDonald's "Janis" remains the song that moves me, though Ms. Wool is a better singer and lyricist in general.

I disregarded what I read about this CD having been produced by a Broadway musician, but as someone who wouldn't be caught dead with the soundtrack from a Broadway show (not that there's anything wrong with that!), I was a bit put off by tracks that sounded show tune-ish. Don't be misled by the downloads or the notice that people who like Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Kathleen Edwards, Tift Merritt, the Be Good Tanyas, and Rosanne Cash bought this CD. I'm a fan of all those singers/songwriters, but Ina May Wool is certainly not alt-country. Perhaps alt-Broadway at times. I could imagine her benefitting from more exposure to those alt-country songwriters if she could stand it, though. Perhaps a sabbatical hanging out with them, or with a Guy Clark or Don Schlitz who's learned over the decades to craft songs perfectly and to use words sparingly. I think there are mediocre and good songs here that could have been masterpieces if they'd been treated as rough drafts and perfected over the years, bounced off lots of other songwriters and audiences before being recorded. Or perhaps they were, to great acclaim, and my tastes just aren't broad enough to encompass what others here seem to find a brilliant body of work.

Overall, I agree with the one negative review below (not with its rather savage tone) that while there are great moments here, the quality of the songs is inconsistent, and that a purchase based solely on what can be downloaded here might lead to disappointment, unlike a purchase based on those who go to hear Ina May Wool sing all her material in person. She may well be a consistently great performer, but if so it isn't captured on this often-bland CD. She is obviously capable of being an exceptional lyricist as well as vocalist, and perhaps future efforts will be more consistent. If not, having written and performed the brilliant and exuberant "J'ai Gagné" is a greater accomplishment than most could hope for.

Beautifully written.......2003-01-28

These urban songs of romance and friendship have the most wonderful lyrics. I hope you don't mind if I quote some, so you can get an idea. Ina May Wool's songwriting is remarkably perceptive about the ways of the heart. Consider this:

"Over down in Froze Town, where the ice is real thin
Right move in the wrong direction and the best ones fall in."
(Don't Wanna Wait)

Her writing is notable for its economy and power; a word is worth a thousand pictures.

"Day-old coffee in a cup, and the heat comes clanging up."
(January Thaw)

She has her own special way of looking at the world, which involves a generous helping of whimsey.

"I can be broad as Third Avenue ... I can be small as a molecule." (Elephant Learning to Dance)

The title song for this album, a sleek cabaret number, includes a list of the qualities one might look for in a man; it always makes me smile.

Ina May's themes can be dark, but her outlook is anything but. When she sings about lovers' quarrels (Leopard, January Thaw) it is the glorious making up afterward that interests her. A song about divorce (J'ai gagne) celebrates one woman's ability to transcend. The only truly ticked-off song here (The Devil You Don't) becomes a tour de force of wordplay and imagery. Don't get mad, get eloquent.
The words sound good together too, and the rhymes are tasty.
Combine these excellent lyrics with a variety of interesting melodies, with the artist's sweet, smoky voice, and her engaging performance--the result is something you just have to hear.

Remarkable range and resonance.......2002-06-24

Ina May Wool's "Moon Over 97th Street" gets your attention and holds you there. Her richly crafted songs are intensely personal yet accessible, with superbly textured musical arrangements by partner Dan Weiss. A work of remarkable range and resonance -- musically, lyrically, authentically. A treat for fans of folk, rock, life.

Not To Be Missed.......2002-06-17

On "Moon Over 97th Street," Ina May Wool takes us on an extraordinary tour of ordinary things. The songs unfold so naturally that one may not notice at first how fresh and surprising her melodies are. Dan Weiss's expert production supports the songs perfectly , providing a comfortable seat for listening to Wool's voice. A beautiful marriage of melody and insight, and it rocks too!

I HIGHLY Recommend...........2002-06-17

When you're up for listening to honest, pure, real-live music, this is the CD for you. I've had the good fortune of seeing Ina May Wool perform in New York City quite a few times, and this extremely well-produced CD captures the sincerity and openness of her live shows. Her deeply layered lyrics are meant to hear again and again... and I discover something new in them every time. Ina May has the ability to really draw you into her music...

Music Album:

Music Album