Review Summary: A glimpse into the tender vision of this mysterious folky songstress
Entering the suspect building by means of invitation or rather, your friends incessant pestering and adjusting your eyes to the dimly lit interior setting, you wonder what this show might actually be about. The odorous smoke from the countless cigarettes stifle the air and the theater lights from above, shine heavily on the stage. Quickly taking a seat you manage to gaze over all the questionable nuances of the lounge. The sticky floors, the waitresses who appear desolate, possibly apathetic in their revealing garments, the clientele… all begging the question, why did you agree to come here in the first place? Then, the performer takes center stage and the music begins.
A slight and simple piano melody accompanies the singer, whose melancholic whispered voice grabs your attention. The cabaret act for the evenings entertainment, Cleo T, a Parisian songstress croons away eventually escalating her voice into something more full-bodied and robust but without losing that dark romantic vibe. The lights flare on the band backing her as drums, violins and other string instruments combine toward a crescendo. The number ends, the crowd applauds and as if she had gained self-confidence along the way, Cleo lets out an upbeat, catchy burlesque take of pop sensationalism with "We All". Begging to think that perhaps this lounge isn't as bad as you had first expected and after noticing everyone else enjoying themselves with various elixers, Cleo T delivers back-to-back tracks that showcase the traveling gypsy, European-folk melodies that she has incorporated into her overall sound. The juxtaposition of her voice with backed male harmonies and at times shouted refrains tie the whole variety show together. Like any good performer, Cleo manages to diversify her sound enough to keep the audiences attention even though the compositions never diverge too much from the quirky yet substantially filling melodies.
After acquiring her footing and with the audience perhaps inebriated just enough to not really care anymore about the musical structures or lyrical matter, Cleo finally releases those brooding, dramatic, seductive ballads that you would swear were aimed just at you. Her captivating gaze, sensual performance and enigmatic but frolicsome attitude has come full circle. Especially with songs like, "Trista Stella", you get the full picture… not the folky rhythms, not the melodic waltzes, not the quirky performer. No, instead, the removal of the facade that she had been wearing throughout the show. Of course, during the more raucous moments of the aforementioned "We All" and "Song to the Moon" the audience was presented with a strong-willed, individualistic performer but beginning with the seventh track the curtain is pulled back a bit and behind the pomp and circumstance you finally get to see her inner thoughts. As said before, by this time, the audience have all but tuned-out with the liquor in abundance, you however, are fixated on her secrets. The average member of the audience isn't privy to this rendition. It's delicate. It's mournful. It's relatable. It's beautiful for all the wrong reasons.
Here is your chance, finally escaping with the performer onto the mid-18th century vaguely European streets… the last tracks continue to envelop you in this dark, emotional, reverie. Then just like that, you've awoken from the most realistic dream you've had in awhile. Maybe it was that extra bottle of whisky you bought that did you in… who knows, however Songs of Gold and Shadow provided quite the backdrop to your visions. While after further listens, it's not without its faults clearly… Cleo T's voice while dependable doesn't really show any real range. When she gets into her higher register it could be seen as grating to some. The music doesn't really take any chances. It has a comfort zone and rarely breaks from that with most numbers being slowly paced melodic tracks. The more quirky songs add a dimension to the album that Cleo should have played around with a bit more before offering a reprieve with the emotional ballads. With all that being said Songs of Gold and Shadow will appeal to anyone who likes their music dark, romanticized but yet playful and sweet.
