By Rick Grant www.rickatnight.com
Last Thursday, Chelsea Saddler showcased songs from her debut CD, A Good Woman at European Street as part of the Songwriting Circle with Larry Mangum, and John Longbottom. It was also Chelsea’s 21st birthday. Before this momentous gig, I was deluged with E-mails from musicians proclaiming Chelsea possessed an extraordinarily songwriting talent This unusual praise was coming from songwriters I respect and who rarely extol their peers. It was a love-fest that symbolically anointed Chelsea the second coming of Joni Mitchell--the queen of women songwriters–past and present.
Yes, I was excited to finally witness Chelsea perform live. From her first song, she exceeded my expectations. Chelsea is an old soul trapped in a young body. Her songs are concise emotionally deep chronicles of her life and experiences set to catchy melodic structures. Her mature insight into life far exceeds her age. Although she is only 21, her spirit is on fast track to enlightenment.
More significantly, Chelsea’s raw talent at writing songs that exactly express the mood and tone of her lyrical poetry is uncanny. Rarely does a talent like Chelsea come along. Looking back over the years, she could be compared to Joni Mitchell or Carol King, who have the knack for writing memorable songs that express joy, sorrow, love, betrayal, and even moral turpitude without waxing gushingly sentimental. As an interesting paradox, Chelsea’s songs bring out her mature spirit, yet when she speaks she comes across as age appropriate. Clearly, she was in awe of her stage partners, Larry Mangum and John Longbottom. Remember, she is just getting started as a professional singer/songwriter, so she has many years of creativity ahead of her.
Although there have been many famous songs written about cocaine–pro and con, Chelsea’s haunting ballad sent shivers up my spine. It may be the most poignant drug song ever written because of its subtlety and insight. In presenting this song, Chelsea lays bare her soul, which catches the audience off-guard in moment of stunning honesty. Her other work is equally engaging.
Recently, I talked to Chelsea about her musical career, which is just getting off the launch pad. Remarkably, though, after witnessing Chelsea perform live, she came off like a seasoned pro.
Last Thursday, Chelsea Saddler showcased songs from her debut CD, A Good Woman at European Street as part of the Songwriting Circle with Larry Mangum, and John Longbottom. It was also Chelsea’s 21st birthday. Before this momentous gig, I was deluged with E-mails from musicians proclaiming Chelsea possessed an extraordinarily songwriting talent This unusual praise was coming from songwriters I respect and who rarely extol their peers. It was a love-fest that symbolically anointed Chelsea the second coming of Joni Mitchell--the queen of women songwriters–past and present.
Yes, I was excited to finally witness Chelsea perform live. From her first song, she exceeded my expectations. Chelsea is an old soul trapped in a young body. Her songs are concise emotionally deep chronicles of her life and experiences set to catchy melodic structures. Her mature insight into life far exceeds her age. Although she is only 21, her spirit is on fast track to enlightenment.
More significantly, Chelsea’s raw talent at writing songs that exactly express the mood and tone of her lyrical poetry is uncanny. Rarely does a talent like Chelsea come along. Looking back over the years, she could be compared to Joni Mitchell or Carol King, who have the knack for writing memorable songs that express joy, sorrow, love, betrayal, and even moral turpitude without waxing gushingly sentimental. As an interesting paradox, Chelsea’s songs bring out her mature spirit, yet when she speaks she comes across as age appropriate. Clearly, she was in awe of her stage partners, Larry Mangum and John Longbottom. Remember, she is just getting started as a professional singer/songwriter, so she has many years of creativity ahead of her.
Although there have been many famous songs written about cocaine–pro and con, Chelsea’s haunting ballad sent shivers up my spine. It may be the most poignant drug song ever written because of its subtlety and insight. In presenting this song, Chelsea lays bare her soul, which catches the audience off-guard in moment of stunning honesty. Her other work is equally engaging.
Recently, I talked to Chelsea about her musical career, which is just getting off the launch pad. Remarkably, though, after witnessing Chelsea perform live, she came off like a seasoned pro.
I’ve been writing songs since I was a girl, since my dad was a musician. I write what I know. In other words, I write about experiences I’ve been through. So all my songs are personal. I guess you could say it’s an ongoing musical journey. Up until the CD release showcase at European Street, I had been playing open mic nights and private events to get some playing out experience. I’ve been lucky to meet such esteemed singer/songwriters as Larry Mangum and John Longbottom, who have helped me to get my name out and lineup some professional gigs," Chelsea said.
Copyright MaBeau Publishing 2007
Debut
Chelsea Saddler will celebrate her 21st birthday and the release of her first album on Thursday at European Street in San Marco. It's part of the acoustic songwriter's circle that shows up there from time to time. Larry Mangum will host and John Longbottom will join them. That's a pretty good lineup. I've been listening to an early version of Saddler's CD, and it's pretty impressive. A strong, haunting voice with a great feel for her songs. Her songs sometimes try a little too hard to stretch beyond her years. But that's OK.
Chelsea Saddler will celebrate her 21st birthday and the release of her first album on Thursday at European Street in San Marco. It's part of the acoustic songwriter's circle that shows up there from time to time. Larry Mangum will host and John Longbottom will join them. That's a pretty good lineup. I've been listening to an early version of Saddler's CD, and it's pretty impressive. A strong, haunting voice with a great feel for her songs. Her songs sometimes try a little too hard to stretch beyond her years. But that's OK.
roger.bull@jacksonville.com
By Dan Scanlan, My Southside Sun
From: WARREN, KELLY N
Sent: Wed 3/19/2008 3:42 PM
To: Campus - All of Kent Campus
Subject: What's Happening Week of March 24? Chelsea Saddler and a Sneak Peek.
March 25, Music Series: Chelsea Saddler, 12:30pm, G-Stage. Hailing from Jacksonville (and daughter of Kent Campus' Wynona Saddler), 21-year-old Chelsea Saddler brings a unique blend of rock, folk, country and blues to each of her songs. Her debut album, A Good Woman, has been turning heads and receiving praise from a wide variety of audiences. Rick Grant from Jacksonville EU writes, "Looking back over the years, she could be compared to Joni Mitchell or Carole King, who have the knack for writing memorable songs that express joy, sorrow, love, betrayal, and even moral turpitude without waxing gushingly sentimental." Though Chelsea has only been performing for a short time, she is well on her way to being a well-known face throughout Jacksonville.
Sent: Wed 3/19/2008 3:42 PM
To: Campus - All of Kent Campus
Subject: What's Happening Week of March 24? Chelsea Saddler and a Sneak Peek.
March 25, Music Series: Chelsea Saddler, 12:30pm, G-Stage. Hailing from Jacksonville (and daughter of Kent Campus' Wynona Saddler), 21-year-old Chelsea Saddler brings a unique blend of rock, folk, country and blues to each of her songs. Her debut album, A Good Woman, has been turning heads and receiving praise from a wide variety of audiences. Rick Grant from Jacksonville EU writes, "Looking back over the years, she could be compared to Joni Mitchell or Carole King, who have the knack for writing memorable songs that express joy, sorrow, love, betrayal, and even moral turpitude without waxing gushingly sentimental." Though Chelsea has only been performing for a short time, she is well on her way to being a well-known face throughout Jacksonville.
