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by Dan Willging

Anyone that's ever been swept away by Bruce Daigrepont's mad Cajun music has probably witnessed the wild spirit in fiddler Gina Forsyth. As she flings her bow and her body head on into the music's fury, how many realize she's also a calmer by highly regarded singer-songwriter within that genre's inner circles? Like her compatriot Daigrepont, Forsyth wouldn't release a record, let alone a debut, unless it was damned good and ready.

And ready it is. The 15 tracks heard here offer candid insights that are often a trait of the seasoned pros who've made the journey, climbed the mountains, to obtain their inner peace. Forsyth does this honestly whether it's the tingly, euphoric love gush of "You Are Here" or a guilt admission with the slinky, groovish "My Name is Mud." In doing so, she weaves her metaphors expertly together ("Somewhere Off the Foot of this Mountain"), hence symbolizing the heavier side of life. On "Old Fashioned Waltz," the Southern Bible Belt refugee eloquently sing Powerful thoughts indeed if you scratch beyond the surface. Yet it's never in-your-face confrontation-Forsyth just hands it over matter-of-factly, this is me: this is my life.

While Forsyth tackles the tough, the other sides of her a just as enjoyable. There's a daydreamy side with "Monday Morning Stretch," grrrrl rock with "She Looking for a Dave" and throbbing acoustic rock with the infectious "Everywhere I Am" featuring Chicago mandolinist Don Steirnberg. On an adaptation of the Cajun traditional tune "J'ai Fait Tout le Tour de Grand Bois," Forsyth reminds us that her adopted Cajun music isn't going on the shelf. With "Texas Waltz," her heart returns to her beloved state where the Magnolias grow. Through it all, Forsyth's singing is expressive and her well-articulated guitar playing couldn't be crisper. With such stellar support from Mike West, Myshkin, David Doucet, Matt Swiler, Marvin Williams, Pat Flory, Doug Belote, Jim Markway, and more, Forsyth's solo debut is truly one of the warmest singer-songwriter recordings in recent memory. May this girl go.