Center of the Earth

Description

Center of the Earth is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Nicholas Giaconia, released on Storyville Records in 1994, a division of R.E.X. Music. The album was produced and recorded by Art Monke (a.k.a. Linford Detweiler of Over the Rhine fame). Mixed by Art Monke and Dave Hackbarth. Featuring contributions from various members of Over the Rhine.

Suave, sophisticated music of the kind usually found over here on Sticky Records. Sort of a whispering, secretive Bruce Cockburn-ish vocal style that’s magnetic, with a growing fascination at the intricacies of the artist’s complex vocal techniques. Considerable jazz influence in the way Giaconia plays around with a tune, stark, spare backing, in all a listening experience that’s innovative with a steady-building tension. The lyrics hint at Christian truth rather than using a crude loudspeaker. Some tracks («Woman At The Well») are blues-based, with some sweet slideguitar from Chris Carero. One to place alongside recent releases from Brooks Williams and Pierce Pettis as quality rootsy folk-based pop. Hard to classify, easy to enjoy. [Tony May, Cross Rhythms, June 1994]

This is the type of release that you have to listen to closely, preferably with headphones. a few times before making any judgements.

Aside from the first and last cut, those who look for quick-fix attractions or catchy hooks won’t find them in this “acoustic based, light alternative” debut. The changes and nuances are subtle and the general mood is soft-spoken.

The title cut, «Center of the Earth», seems to be somewhat the odd-man out with its quirky rhythm and infectious melody, kind of in the style of Peter Case‘s more lighter compositions. After that point, the album takes a more contemplative turn. The project ends with a “buried” track, the Amy song (forgive me if I gave away the surprise), that isn’t listed. Making a parody of the Christian community’s tenacity for judging others, the song exhibits the same looseness and throw-caution-to-the-wind feel that brought the first cut to life.

Disarming and sensitive, the songwriter’s genuineness saturates the project. The cut «Stay», featuring Derri Daugherty on background vocals, is an expression of his coming in touch with himself as a failing, erring human being, while «Psalm» exudes a poetic reverence – almost like Michael Card with a Bruce Cockburn haircut. However, the singer’s voice hardly varies from song to song, producing a feel of sameness throughout much of the recording.

Having opened up for an array of artists including Charlie Peacock, Margaret Becker, Over The Rhine and Randy Stonehill, I have a feeling that Giaconia’s strength may lie within the live setting. Future recordings may do well to seek ways of producing that uninhibited atmosphere. [Steven L. Roth, Syndicate Magazine, July 1994, Vol. 9, Issue 2]

CD tracklist:

01. Center Of The Earth – 3:31
02. Stay – 4:18
03. Woman At The Well – 3:17
04. Better To Have Loved – 5:32
05. Pouring Down – 3:51
06. Living Water – 3:42
07. Searched – 4:03
08. Twenty-Eight – 3:44
09. Cold Winter’s Heart – 4:41
10. Psalm/The Amy Song – 12:06

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Storyville Records. (At 8:24 of track 10 a hidden track begins – liner notes call it “The Amy Song”.)

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