Tori Sparks

Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Pop/rock

Status:

Most recent release, El Mar (2014)

See also:

Tori Sparks's site

Comparisons:

Vocally, Karin Berquist of Over the Rhine, though musically more mainstream, maybe Sheryl Crow-ish?

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

Guitar-based pop/rock with strong, impressive vocals (they remind me a little of Karin Berquist of Over the Rhine) and often a slight country/Nashville feel.

Recommended first album:

Rivers + Roads is the only one we've heard

Recordings:

• Tidewaters (ep, 2003)
• Rivers + Roads (2005)
• Under This Yellow Sun (2007)
• The Scorpion in the Story (2009)
• Until Morning / Come Out of the Dark (2011)
• El Mar (2014)

Rivers + Roads

Release info:

2005—Platinum Plus Records—PPTS-071404-CD

Availability:

See Tori Sparks's Site for availability

Ecto priority:

Recommended for pop/rock fans

Group members:

Tori Sparks—vocals, guitar

Guest artists:

Tony Migliore—piano, keyboards
Kerry Marx—elecric guitar
Pete Bordoniali—acoustic guitar
Jerry Kroon—drums
Bob Wray, Jimmy Carter—bass
Denis Solee—baritone saxophone
Pat Severs—dobro
Michael Black, Elen Dockery, Carol Chase—background vocals
Carl Gorodetzky, Conni Ellisor, Alan Umstead, MaryKatherine VanOsdale—violin
Carole Rabinowitz—cello

Produced by:

Robert Metzger

Comments:

Overall this album has a Nashville sound. The first song has a slightly cabaret feel, but the rest have a touch of country rock to my ears. "Rivers + Roads", title track and first single, is a particularly soulful song, showing the maturity of Sparks' songwriting. "Looking for Wisdom" is a touch generic, but might make for good radio play. I prefer the slight idiocyncracies of "Red Letter Day" and "Otherwise" or the soufulness of "When I said". "Remembering You" will capture the hearts of ballad lovers everywhere. A strong debut. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com

Thanks to Sophia Gurley for work on this entry.