Soulryder

Pamela Ryder

Soulryder CD Cover Hearing Pamela Ryder perform for the first time is an unforgettable experience. Her voice is an instrument that defies description in mortal terms. Richly sensual, emotionally plaintive, tuned with the resonance of a Stradivarius, her voice pleads, cajoles, teases and testifies in a the manner of a Shakespearean oratorio. Her training as an actress is readily apparent in her passionate but yet controlled delivery which carries the listener on waves of emotion.

The ten songs included on Soulryder are merely an appetizer on Pamela's full menu of original material. Written from her own experiences in the worlds of love and loss, her songs are passion plays; her voice, the messenger that touches the soul.

    The CD opens with Walkin' Song, a searing kiss off to a former would-be lover. The song opens somewhat hesitantly, and then gathers in intensity, propelled by Pamela's guitar and Craig Dlugosz' walking bass lines, as Pamela's voice rises on waves of emotion, and then crests in an unbelievable Joplinesque glissando just prior to the final chorus, which builds once again to a rocking climax, leaving the listener breathless in it's wake.

    Pamela's finger-picked guitar provides a sensual lead-in to What I Mean, a powerful statement of personal affirmation. Her self-taught guitar style provides the perfect accompaniment to the emotion expressed in her voice and lyrics. The song once again allows Pamela the freedom to use her voice as a vehicle to convey an emotional palette of devastating intensity.

    Strong, highly inventive guitar work once again propels Pamela's Sex Song, an aural experience that is the near equivalent of the act in question. Initially soft and sensual, the song builds in intensity to a fevered climax, fuelled by Pamela's gorgeous overdubbed harmonies, then switches gears, as Pamela's intricate guitar work, sublime vocal harmonies, and Ken Rutkowski's interwoven flute lines combine to create an atmosphere remarkably like the wonderful interlude when two souls mingle as one. This is a track of indescribable beauty.

    One of the side benefits of the intense listening experience involved in writing this type of review is that I invariably discover deeper aspects of the lyrics and music that casual listening often misses. It's very easy to get so caught up in the intensity of Pamela's delivery as to overlook to a degree the intellectual content of the material. Such was the case initially with Patient Brain, the least familiar song on the Soulryder CD.
    The aural soundscape once again features Pamela's hypnotic guitar, interlaced with Craig Dlugosz' subdued keyboards, and a wonderfully atmospheric lead vocal. Once again, the song builds on waves of emotion, as Pamela's voice takes on an increased sense of urgency as she tries to cope with life's trials in a 'predator's playground.' Strong stuff...

    An eerie, disembodied voice provides the lead-in to Stand Beside, a frenetic vocal workout driven by yet another strong rhythm guitar performance, colored by some uncredited synthesizer washes which add an orchestral feel to the choruses. The lyrics once again probe the area of inner conflicts caused by a former lover's lack of acceptance of the singer as a person.
    One begins to run out of superlatives when describing Pamela's vocal performances, as each song is impeccably crafted in every detail and nuance. A unique aspect of Stand Beside is the frantic scat vocal after the final chorus which ends in a swooping, majestic crescendo, leaving the listener dangling at the precipice.

    I first recall playing Charmed and Harmed with Pamela during a gig we shared at Buffalo's Stimulance Cafe with Katie Miller and Paddy Kilrain. On impulse, I picked up a harmonica and spontaneously created the wailing harp line that serves both as the song's intro and as an interlude between verses. Engineer Ken Rutkowski did a marvelous job of capturing just the right tone and level. The passion in Pamela's vocals has always inspired my playing to greater heights, irrespective of the instrument in hand.
    The lyrics form yet another strong statement as the protagonist confronts the one who done her wrong and eventually emerges stronger for the experience. As many times as I've performed this song with Pamela in recent years, she never ceases to amaze me with the passion in her performance.

    The mood lightens during Have a Good Time, a long time crowd favorite which Pamela often has used as a show closer. The CD version features a somewhat restrained vocal, as Pamela substitutes subtlety for power until unharnessing the full force of her instrument on the final chorus. Craig Duglosz' electric bass and Ken Rutkowski's anthemic keyboards provide the perfect framework for Pamela's seductively contagious message.

    Pamela's California Song was the first song I ever accompanied her on, and I was elated when she asked me to add a lead guitar part to it in the studio. We hadn't played it in quite a while prior to the recording, so the guitar lines were more or less a spontaneous studio creation. Pamela chose the guitar tone and effects to fit her vision, and I responded with a performance that fed on the energy and passion of her vocal.
    The autobiographical lyrics tell of a failed adventure and subsequent rebirth and acceptance of the learning experience. Wherever you go, there you are...

    Studio magic once again allows Pamela to create a fresh sounding song from an old favorite, the introspective On Me. Gorgeous double-tracked harmonies float elegantly above Pamela's minimalist acoustic guitar which, as always, provides exactly the right accompaniment for her sweet, haunting lyrics.

    The CD closes with a restrained version of yet another long time crowd favorite, the estrogen-drenched Never Had a Boyfriend. Perhaps written with tongue in cheek, perhaps not, the song casts a satirical eye at society's gender conventions and restrictions, while simultaneously celebrating the protagonist's ability to circumvent the norm. Rock on, sister!

    In summary, Pamela Ryder's Soulryder is a CD that satisfies on all levels; solid musicianship, entertaining and insightful lyrics, sympathetic production, a cohesive vision, and Pamela's remarkably gifted voice combine to create an aural treasure.
    On a personal note, they say you never forget your first time, and I'm sure this is true. For many years I dreamed of making, or at least contributing to the making of a recording that was more than just a typical disposable pop record. Thanks to Pamela, I've had that chance. My gratitude is boundless....

Tim Baldwin
November 1999