Natalie Merchant Tigerlily CD

Super-serious Natalie Merchant has loosened up since leaving 10,000 Maniacs. From the soulful march, "San Andreas Fault," that opens her solo debut, it is obvious she has found a freedom in going solo. It's evident in her less restrictive vocals and in a tighter, more expansive musical sound.

Her lyrics, no surprise, remain somber. But in finally recording a song as throbbingly funky as "Carnival," Merchant offers a glimpse of what she always had lurking inside when she flailed about onstage with the Maniacs. And "River," a tribute to the late River Phoenix, gives her a chance to belt a lyric out--a pleasant, surprising change from her usual folkie whisper.

TIGERLILY also includes some simple piano tracks that recall the earliest Maniacs records. The piano-voice duet has always been Merchant's forté, and her sweet, rich voice cuts through the heartbreaking loss of "Beloved Wife" and the unrequited love of "The Letter." And then, just when you think the piano is her sweetest ally, a captivating fiddle joins her and her piano for the winsome "Cowboy Romance."

Natalie Merchant has loosened up since leaving 10,000 Maniacs. From the soulful march "San Andreas Fault" that opens her debut, it's obvious she has found freedom in going solo. It's evident in her less-restrictive vocals and in a tighter, more expansive musical sound. Her lyrics remain somber, but in recording a song as throbbing and funky as "Carnival," Merchant offers a glimpse of what she always had lurking inside when she flailed about onstage with the Maniacs. And "River," a tribute to the late River Phoenix, gives her a chance to belt a lyric out--a pleasant, surprising change from her usual folkie whisper. TIGERLILY also includes some simple piano tracks that recall the earliest Maniacs records--the piano-voice duet has always been Merchant's forte, and her sweet, rich voice cuts through the heartbreaking loss of "Beloved Wife" and the unrequited love of "The Letter." And then, just when you think the piano is her sweetest ally, a captivating fiddle joins her and her piano for the winsome "Cowboy Romance."

Recorded at Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York and The Club House, Germantown, New York from December 1994 to March 1995.

Personnel: Natalie Merchant (vocals, piano, organ, vibraphone); Jennifer Turner (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); John Holbrook (electric guitar, organ); Eric Schenkman, Matt Henderson (electric guitar); Barrie Maguire (electric 12-string guitar, 12-string guitar); Jay Ungar (violin); Michelle Kinney (cello); Peter Yanowitz (drums, percussion); Randy Grant, Adrian Lopez Guevarra (percussion); Katell Keineg (background vocals).

Recording information: Bearsville Sound Studios, Bearsville, NY (12/1994-03/1995); The Club House, Germantown, NY (12/1994-03/1995).

Photographer: José Picayo.

Personnel: Natalie Merchant (vocals, piano, organ, vibraphone); Jennifer Turner (electric & acoustic guitars, background vocals); John Holbrook (electric guitar, organ); Matt Henderson (electric guitar, bass); Eric Schenkman (electric guitar); Jay Unger (violin); Michelle Kinney (cello); Barrie Maguire (bass, 12-string electric guitar); Peter Yanowitz (drums, percussion); Adrian Lopez Guevarra, Randy Grant (percussion); Katell Keineg (background vocals).

Entertainment Weekly (6/23/95, p.54) - "...With its unadorned, keyboard-based arrangements, TIGERLILY is more sparely produced than anything Merchant did with 10,000 Maniacs, yet the starkness works in her favor..." - Rating: B+
Musician (9/95, p.93) - "...Her new playmates have a far greater stylistic range than the Maniacs, while Merchant conveys more passion and personality than in the past, adding anger and wit to confessionals..."
Mojo (Publisher) (7/95, p.110) - "...this debut is ultimately a victory for [Merchant's] voice, her flair for narrative songwriting and that habitual chafing between the sober and the sensual, sense and sensibility."