(Below is a review about this CD I have sent out to various publications/websites I have worked for over the years. I have been acquainted with Molly and Kay's music for a very long time, both as Sirens as in various bands and line ups. They are very talented, write good songs, and make enjoyable records. Too bad their type of music does not get played much on commercial radio. Go out and buy the disk and give them some support.)
If you live in Central Ohio you are
never too far removed from the work of musicians and songwriters Molly Pauken
and Kay Harris. They do a ton of commercial and studio work; occasionally tour
with national acts; participate in tribute shows; and play regularly with
popular local and regional bands. This has been the life for the last twenty
years for these talented ladies.
When they can fit it in they record
and perform with their own group Sirens, often backed by a talented group of
Ohio based musicians. Over the years they have occasionally put out Sirens CDs,
and the most recent is Confessions of an
Optimist. The 11-track release was recorded and mastered in both Columbus
and Nashville. The songs are all Pauken/Harris compositions, and show off
Harris’s catchy vocals and Pauken’s mastership of everything with strings,
especially the mandolin and bass.
There are a bunch of good songs on
the disk. “Get You” and “Wrap Me Up” both have a funky, upbeat feel to them. “Everything”
has a full band sound. On “Naked as
Fools” Harris shares vocals with lead guitarist Hadden Sayers on what might be
the best cut. “A Lot Like You” shows
Harris’s range, while “Wake Me Up” is both upbeat and soulful. The heartfelt “That’s
All” is the best of several strong ballads. “Only Love” is the closer, and
features a piano intro by Kevin Patrick
Sweeney and fine guitar work by Sayers.
Confessions of an Optimist features gifted songwriting from a perspective
of slightly older woman, with a sound that’s both a bit rootsy and a bit
country. This is a very good CD and I highly recommend it. Hope it gets them some airplay outside of
Columbus and on some of the streaming services; Molly Pauken and Kay Harris
deserve the national recognition.
For more information about Sirens and Molly Pauken and
Kay Harris check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Sirens.
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