Cheryl Bliss
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Beautiful & fierce ectronica alternative pop
Status:
Most recent release, "Back to the Love" (single, 2016); most recent full release, The Sweet Soul Light (2005)
See also:
Cheryl Bliss's site
Comparisons:
There is one song that fits perfectly on a Rachael Sage album, and another that fits perfectly on a Rebecca Timmons album
Covers/own material:
Own; very occasional co-writing
General comments:
Another Kate Bush-like songstress...nice atmospheric songs...kind of like Kate circa Lionheart. She has some lovely songs. Very nice stuff I think. Go check her out. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)keyboards and lovely vocals. Cheryl has many of the core ecto qualities that draw listeners in; however, her music is unique, evocative, and utterly beautiful. I have found little snippets of her songs swimming through my head many times :) (gordoja@optonline.net)
Recommended first album:
Either
Recordings:
- angels running after (2001)
- The Sweet Soul Light (2005)
- "The Ride" (single, 2013)
- "Oceanside" (single, 2013)
- Back to the Love (single, 2016)
angels running after
Release info:
2001—G.A.M. (Grab a Mike) Records 1022-6
Availability:
See Cheryl Bliss's site
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Cheryl Bliss—vocals, keys, other weird stuff
Guest artists:
Michael Bliss—organ on 1 track, trumpeter on 1 track, percussion/strings on 1 track, backup vocals on 2 tracks
Steve Martz—drums
Phil Keaggy—guitar, e-bow on 2 tracks
Jimmy Patton—guitar on 3 tracks
Jamie Kime—guitar, mandolin, sitar, e-bow on 5 tracks
Chris de Jesus—bass
Tracy Ferry—bass on 1 track
Danny Reyes—drum program in 1 track
Chris Bailey—strings, pads, additional programming on 2 tracks
Sandy Brent—backup vocals on 1 track
Ann Bailey—backup vocals on 1 track
Produced by:
Cheryl Bliss, Chris Bailey, Michael Bliss
Comments:
Angels running after cascades from the speakers with Cheryl's voice trickling down a waterfall.
The album is full of interesting variations in tempo, similar to the way Veda Hille or Ida utilize pacing, leaving little bits of empty space to set off the music. "All I Was With You" has a driving asymmetrical quality to it, eerily reminiscent of Rachael Sage's "Painting of a Painting", even with the vocal delivery.
My favorite track on the album is the delicate ethereal gem, "Spinning". Rarely does a song convey a sense of physical movement in the imagery. The combination of the velvety wash of keyboards, faint rhythmic percussion, bleeps and blips, enraptures me. Virtually every listen, when the chorus of "Spinning / The wind is Fred Astaire / And I believe I'm lightning / Igniting / With you here / Beside me" comes on, I feel as if I am doing a Viennese Waltz in my head (which is impressive considering I do not know how to waltz). "Trust" is a wonderful eclectic musical romp that makes me want to hit the repeat button on my CD player. (gordoja@optonline.net)
The Sweet Soul Light
Release info:
2005—Grab a Mic Records—GAM 10223
Availability:
See Cheryl Bliss's site
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Cheryl Bliss—vocals, piano, wurlitzer, keyboards, bass, loops, backing vocals
Guest artists:
Phil Keaggy—guitars, e-bow, bass, sampling, backing vocals, scat vocals
Ken Lewis—drums
Ian Fitchuk—keyboards, juno, piano, organ
Michael Bliss—piano, bass, bells
Jeremy Casella—spaghetti western guitar
Produced by:
Phil Keaggy and Cheryl Bliss
Comments:
Cheryl Bliss' second album strikes me as being less ethereal than her debut and more grounded. It's still utterly gorgeous and her voice is angelic. "Last Chance" is impressively layered and the chorus is just beautiful. "Wild Wild World" is a fine example of her new, more wide screen approach. It's got a big, lush sound and is still dreamy and sweet. "Ultrabrite" is assertive and sunny in an Aimee Mann fashion. The lovely "Sleep Well Tonight" is just a wonderful song. This is a fabulous record. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Further info:
Email: info@cherylbliss.com. Write: Grab A Mic Records, P.O. Box 152077, Austin, TX 78715, U.S.A.
Thanks to Jason Gordon and Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.
