Kirsti Gholson

Kirsti Gholson is one reason I love the CDbaby concept. In the old music industry, when the major labels passed on an album it was more than likely consigned to purgatory. One wonders how many good albums were thrown into the incinerator by a system dominated less by music than money. But I digress.

Working late one night, I logged into CDbaby's inventory and began searching. Somehow I came upon Kirsti's 2001 self-titled solo album and, while reading comments posted by friends and fans, decided to sample a few tracks. It didn't take much. I ordered it, something I seldom do due to my self-imposed poverty line (writers don't get paid as much as people seem to believe and, for some ungodly reason, I want to write). It turned out to be one of those gifts to myself which I will never regret.

If you recognize Kirsti's name from the earlier picture of Tom Mank and Sera Smolen at the beginning of this piece, you get a gold star. She is, in fact, a reason I embrace those artists so wholeheartedly. She is under my skin. Well, her music is.

I give you Strange and Marvelous, a song which is, ironically, both strange and marvelous. Strange in that Gholson combines her beautiful, airy voice with harmonies all her own, right down to the stunning aah-aah-aah's at the end. Marvelous in that my heart beats faster every time I hear it, it strikes so deep. This is music which turns my bad days good, my hectic days mellow.

There are other great tracks on this album. I Got the Message has a light top ten flavor to it. Ways To Kiss the Ground is a beautiful song as well as being a production masterpiece. This Is Your Home (Circe's Song), the favorite of some commenters on CDbaby, has that Gholson flair. I could go on, but this is neither the time nor place. This is not a review, but a heads up. So... heads up. - Hub Pages

Great lyrics, great arrangements and great vocals pull together with spine chilling harmonies ... not bad for a girl who has an aversion to watching people drink milk. Those looking for a musical comparison will immediately call to mind; Sheryl Crow, but don't think for a second that it ends there. Kirsti seems to call upon a great number of influences to forge her own sound and style - each with her special ease and comfort combined with an edge that is undeniably special. Watch this young lady for big things to come! - Indie Tunes