Singer/songwriter Betsy Scarinzi had it in her to write, sing and perform. Her killer pipes, together with a birthday guitar gift from friends back in 1999, prompted Scarinzi to start writing and playing and eventually led her to recording an album. It all culminated into the nine-song release “Whitewashed Heart” with her band, Silverbell.
This disk (recorded, mixed and produced at Loveland Studios, mastered by Jim Blackwood), features searing lyrics and vocals from Scarinzi, amazing guitar by Tucson wizard/music vet Gene Ruley (The Drakes/Phantom Limbs), bass and backing vocals from Jason Steed (Creosote) and percussion/drumming by Alan Anderson (Greyhound Soul/Funky Bones/The Jits).
It is a country-rock album, in a good way. Not Nashville country-rash, not some 22-year-old lead singer parroting someone else’s lyrics. There’s Ruley’s guitar sliding in with the best of them.
Scarinzi’s vocals dial in the heartbreak, twang, torch and trouble with real feeling and, I’m guessing, considerable life experience.
The band has had lineup changes since the CD’s recording, substituting Jim Cox (Fourkiller Flats) for Steed on bass/backing vocals and Spyder Rhodes for Alan Anderson on drums and percussion. The line-up changes will add to the live experience.
Silverbell’s CD release party is January 27, at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Greyhound Soul opens the free show at 9 p.m., Silverbell plays afterward and Fourkiller Flats wrap the night. Details at HotelCongress.com.
