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Sheila Nicholls : Zen
Wake, the latest album from Sheila Nicholls, is in her own words, “loosely based around the notion of faith.” The artist, raised in Colchester, England has used this faith to weather a series of twists, turns and hardships on her way from England to various parts of the United States with such scarce funds at times that she lived in her car and survived on cheese sandwiches. Ultimately her perseverance has paid off with the creation of a captivating original sound and style that is eccentric, free and devoid of pretension.
Joined by Jessica Catron on cello, Sheila Nicholls wowed the audience at Zen. She opened her set with “Mighty Love,” displaying her strong vocal and guitar technique and command over a unique musical style that combines elements of folk, rock and even Indian influences. She seamlessly transitioned into “Come to Me,” a plaintive ballad performed on the keyboards that was reminiscent of early Fiona Apple material. Catron’s cello accompaniment for “Evolution” accentuated the softer, heavier elements of the piece while illuminating the bluesier qualities of Nicholls’ voice. Like Sarah McLachlan, Nicholls was able to take these darker, melancholy songs and use them to enrapture the audience rather than alienating them.
Nicholls has a bumper sticker on the front of her keyboards that reads, “Behind Every Successful Woman is Herself.” With her own label, a distribution deal with Hollywood Records and the cultivation of a loyal following, it is indisputable that Nicholls is on her way. However, even with her successes, Nicholls strives to remain grounded and uses her latest album Wake to further this goal. She notes that the album is her effort, “to stay viscerally connected to the biggest possible questions.” While her persistence in remaining attached to reality is a welcome reprieve from the superstardom norm, her continued development as a singer and songwriter ensures that it is only a matter of time before she will leave the competition in her wake.
Article by: Katie Wharton
Submitted: August, 2003
Photos: Artist's Website
Artist Website: www.sheilanicholls.com
Email: Katie_Wharton@hotmail.com
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