"Life and Love" by Nancy Cartonio

CD review by Bob McKillop

 

Nancy Cartonio is a veteran singer/songwriter, originally from Falmouth, who helped Judd Mulkerin get the Maine Songwriters Association off the ground back eight years ago.  She gigged around Portland and Southern Maine, and put out an initial CD, but when she got married and started a family, the songwriting and performing slowed down a bit.

Well, the kids are a bit older now, and she’s re-focusing on her music.  She released a new CD late last year called “Life and Love”, and it includes some wonderful songs.

Nancy’s songwriting skills are very good, but it’s really her voice that is the highlight of this record.  The way in which she moves smoothly from one register to another is delightful: it’s not just the impressive range; it’s the silky transitions across that range that is so enjoyable.  She is always dead-on in her pitch.  When she doubles her vocal track, or tracks a vocal harmony with herself, she reminds me of a very sassy version of Chris and Meredith Thompson, the folk singing twin sisters. 

My favorite track on this record is “Anticipated Blues”.   A thumping kick drum and killer bass part keep this tune moving, and made me get up and dance around the living room.  Joe Bloom contributes his terrific harmonica skills; subtle yet powerful.  The lyrics are entertaining but are mainly a vehicle for the beat and the vocal melody; the song seems to be about random notions that cross Nancy’s mind.

 

“I wish I had a letter I could send you every day

So maybe our telepathy would float away

And leave me with the comfort of the sanity I choose

Here in my anticipated blues”

The party is over now…

Hope I get this mess cleaned up by sundown”

 

The very next track is “Never Good”.   Piano and a deep, deep bass part accompany a lilting, intriguing vocal melody.  The lyrics are very clever and Nancy has worked the meter of these words nicely into the rhythm of the tune.  The message is one of caution – when we feel that something needs fixing, we are better off leaving things alone, for often we make things worse by trying to make things right.

 

“There is always something to explain

And you almost always never should

There is always something more to say

And it’s almost always never good”

 

“Anything to Do with Love” is a really beautiful, powerful ballad, and it’s a little naughty. A woman who is in love with someone else is trying to seduce different lover, and it’s all about physical love, and hasn’t anything to do with love.  Nancy’s voice is very persuasive and passionate and emotive – she has me convinced!

“We both know that I found my Mr. Right, but that’s OK cause he’s not alone tonight

And I feel we should both be getting laid, so take me now, and don’t be afraid

It’s hard enough as it is, can we just get it over with….”

Nancy recorded, mixed, and produced this record, along with her husband, Josh Williamson, in their home studio.  While it doesn’t have all the polish of a studio recording, it sounds great!  Once in a while the instrumentation masks Nancy’s voice a little too much, but for the most part, the mix is well done, and everything can be heard.  Josh contributes guitar, drums, and piano, and Heather Caston appears in a great harmony vocal part on track 7, “Trying to Save You”. 

Nancy's CD, "Life and Love" is available at Bull Moose Record Stores, CD BAby, and from Nancy at her gigs.

Nancy will be performing at the Maine Songwriters Showcase at the North Star Music Café on Thursday, April 24.  This is always a great night of local, original music, and it starts at 7:00 PM.  Nancy’s set is at 8:45 – don’t miss it!