LisaBeth Weber is a woman of many talents: freelance artist, graphic designer, calligrapher (she has even designed a font named "ITC weber hand," which graces her CD booklet). Her parents are Vic and Reba Heyman, long-time and tireless supporters of folk music. So it is not surprising to find LisaBeth in the realm of music.

Farmhouse Sessions is her first release and it is an auspicious debut. She is an extremely competent guitarist, well versed in traditional and current styles of folk guitar. It was that and her voice which made the album speak to me. In a voice which combines a bit of Dar Williams and an amalgam of east coast female folksingers, LisaBeth sings with an ease and presence that suggests years of listening and singing and performing.

The songwriting is not bad, either, and in true folk tradition she has incorporated many songwriting approaches from traditional ballad to humorous talking blues with audience participation. She has kept the production sparse and simple, which lends itself well to her somewhat fragile vocal style and showcases her strong acoustic guitar work.

The first three tracks are not the strongest. "Cross The Water" is a look at her roots and the story of immigrant parents. "Jury Duty," a song in two different tempos, deals with unrequited love, and "Balled of Zach and Rose" is truly in the old ballad style with the theme of love waiting to be fulfilled. "Faces On The Wall," a thoughtful look at how the fight for religious freedom in the Middle East just ends in more killing, is the deepest and most well-written song on the album.

The next five tracks deal with love in various stages and include a cover of Richard Shindell's "Are You Happy Now." On "Waiting Room," she combines Susan Werner and Bob Dylan influences, a heady mix, and just misses pulling it off. This track and the final song were recorded live. "Get Back In Your RV Harvey" is whimsical and humorous and you can get the sense of a live LisaBeth Weber show. She is a strong live performer.

All in all, an enjoyable album. LisaBeth's influences are quite transparent but she is well on her way to finding her own voice as a writer and I look forward to hearing her next effort.

[ by Judy Krueger ]