Whitney B.

Best Slow Clap Moment
*****
The Whitney Barricklow Band's next-to-last song was so amazing that it inspired someone to start the infamous "slow clap" followed by a barroom full of people chanting, "One more song! One more song!" Graciously, they delivered. And if you missed any of their set, it gave you good reason to look for their CD on the merch table. (MF) - CityBeat

There's a smartness and emotive wallop to the songs of Barricklow, which she delivers with one of the most impressive voices on the Cincinnati music scene. She formed the Whitney Barricklow Band in 2003, providing highlights for most of the local festivals (MidPoint, ChicksRock, etc.) at which they regularly appear. - CityBeat

Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Audio File
Whitney Barricklow
KATIE KELLEY | CIN WEEKLY


The Whitney Barricklow Band members (from left): Chris Walker, Whitney Barricklow and Mark Szabo. (Photo by Dale Johnson)Local pop-folk-rocker Whitney Barricklow has been together with her band members, drummer Mark Szabo and bassist Chris Walker, only since summer 2003. But the lead singer/guitarist has been into music much longer than that. "I've been doing music since I was a kid," she says, laughingly adding that the first song she wrote at the age of seven was titled "That's Love to Me." For Whitney Barricklow Band concert dates, visit www.whitneyb.com.

Whitney Barricklow picks
The Carpenters, Close to You (A&M)

"I grew up with this album. The Carpenters' music is really so timeless. Karen's voice is incredible, Richard's arrangements are impeccable, and I love all the intricate harmonies. I learned so much about singing and musicality through listening to the Carpenters. They really know how to deliver a song."

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The Swarthy Band, Play This in Front of Your Cool Friends (unsigned)

"There are really great albums by local musicians floating all over Cincinnati, and Swarthy's is one of them. It is high energy, and downright infectious. He has great songs and a great voice to sing them with. Add to that great production, and there it is. This is a fabulous gem of a record. My personal favorite track is 'You Make us Tired Sometimes.' You can buy this album on Cincymusic.com, which incidentally is where you can also check out just what else is going on in the local music scene."

Mark picks
Jason Ludwig, Pell Mell (unsigned)

"This local songwriting maven blows my mind with the music he's released on his first independent disc, mixed by local super-recordist Ashley Shepherd. Jason's guitar playing is tremendous, wonderful, subtle, and only eclipsed by his outstanding voice, which he puts to good use throughout the recording. There's not a bad song on this album, and it's compelling enough to hold my attention even when I'm distracted."

Chris picks
Michael Franti and Spearhead, Everyone Deserves Music (Artist Direct BMG)

"I've been turned on to Spearhead for years. The music strikes a nice balance between a politically charged platform for Franti's views on peace, The "War" on terrorism, hunger or poverty and just being a downright funky ass party. This CD is a lot smoother than the last couple, but it still grooves. I caught the live show in New Orleans at Jazz Fest last year, and it blew me away, Pure joy!"

Chris and Mark both pick...
Outkast, Speakerboxx/The Love Below (LaFace/Arista)

"This is a recent Outkast release that both (of us) are listening to intently. The style of music that Outkast has grown into has transcended traditional hip-hop and become a diverse, complicated stew of fantastic beats, melodies, and groove. They're on the leading edge of modern music right now, and they deserve the attention they get." - CIN Weekly -Cincinnati Enquirer

Armed with great songs, an ace backing band and one of the finest singing voices in Cincinnati… With such an amazing voice, it's easy to overlook Barricklow's songwriting instincts, which are just as impeccable.


Pop music with brains and a heart. What a novel concept!
- CityBeat

Summer Sounds at Burnet Woods also presents a family-friendly concert on July 17 starting at 5 p.m. On the schedule is the Whitney Barricklow Band, a quartet featuring local talents Whitney Barricklow (guitars and vocals), Mark Szabo (lead guitar), Chris Walker (bass), and Shawn Elsbernd (drums). Hailed as literate, clever, and inherently musical, the band has been performing all over the Tri-State and gaining quite a following.

The band says that their original rock songs draw from the sounds of Karen Carpenter, Extreme, and The Sundays, but with every new piece they’re gaining an approach that’s fully their own. - AroundCinci.com

"Possessing a triple threat of one of the best singers in town, one of the most amazing bass players you'll ever hear and one of the most rhythmically literate drummers around, The Whitney Barricklow Band is a must-see. Barricklow has sharp lyrics, fantastic melodies, abundant charm and one of the biggest, best voices that you'll hear almost anywhere."

- Dale Johnson, CityBeat
- Cincinnati's CityBeat

Marvin Hawkins' pick: THE WHITNEY BARRICKLOW BAND

Whitney and the boys are off the hook. The singer-songwriter's silky vocals, coupled with her raw talent and energy, put her in a league of her own. If you haven't heard, you better ask! Ms. Barricklow is it! - Cincinnati Enquirer

C.E. Hanifin, staff writer

"Whitney is just a ball of energy, and she just has the most awesome voice. I would say she's a great songwriter, but most of the time I'm so enamored with what she's doing onstage that I don't listen to the words." - Cincinnati Enquirer

Rick Bird

Whitney Barricklow goes electric. OK, it admittedly does not have the same cultural shock value as Bob Dylan plugged in at Newport. But it's always exciting to see a singer-songwriter who started playing in tri-state folk settings revving up her songs in a rock vibe. Indeed, Dylan showed how that journey could be a logical, artistic one.

Barricklow debuts her four-piece rock outfit at 10 tonight at the York Street Café, Newport. Woo opens and the Elliot Ruther Trio closes the night ($5).

"It's more power pop, more driving, more full, more demanding of attention," said Barricklow, a West Chester native and graduate of Miami University.

Barricklow, who plays guitar, started around town as a solo artist two years ago, forming a mostly acoustic trio with bassist Chris Walker (Walker Project) and drummer Mark Szabo. That evolved into a more electric presentation and the new lineup the last month finds Szabo on his first love, guitar, and adding drummer Shawn Elsbernd.

"I love the energy of our new bunch. It's been a super easy transition. We have more of an edge now."

Barricklow's hooky refrains are well-suited for high-energy rock with her often pleading emotive vocals. - The Cincinnati Post

With a big, lovely voice and heartfelt, energetic performances, singer-songwriter Whitney Barricklow and her groovy trio make for one of the best folksy offerings in town. The power-pop quartet has an energetic live show, but you'll always remember her voice. - CIN Weekly -Cincinnati Enquirer