AMIE PENWELL: Press

New Music Weekly Press Release

Amie Penwell King In a Temple “Show me to the river, somewhere to wash away this feeling, these days of disbelieving” Sometimes the sound of someone searching for belief is more powerful than the testimony of someone who’s found it. On her debut full-length record, singer/songwriter/pianist Amie Penwell sings with the power and passion of a gospel soloist. But as the subtle layers of her songs unfold, it becomes clear that the spiritual undercurrent comes more from a personal epiphany than a religious one. “I wanted something stripped down and honest. Essential and imperfect. Human,” Penwell says.

Much of the inspiration for King In A Temple came from the time she spent as a caregiver for Master Artist JB Blunk during the last 6 months of his life in 2002. “The album title “King In A Temple” comes from my first impression of JB Blunk.” Amie spent 6 months in 2002 with the Master Artist, as his caregiver while he was dieing from Alzheimer’s Disease. “It’s a record of our time together, our conversations, our walks, our silences.

The record follows all of the emotions one goes through when they are forced to adapt and let go of all that is sacred to them, and of being a witness to someone who has no other way to go but through. When all you can do is listen, love them, help them let go, and zip up their jacket.”

Like the best of Cat Power, Feist or David Gray, Penwell’s songs don’t pounce. They pull you in. Grammy-nominated producer and multi-instrumentalist Ben Leinbach (Jai Uttal, Deva Prema, Ledisi) provides the pulse and sonic landscape while guitarist Chris Haugen (Taj Mahal) and violist Margot Holtzman color the corners with sparse melodic counterpoints.

Penwell, whose influences include Radiohead, Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanios, Neil Young, U2, and Prince, wanted more than just a piano/vocal live record. “I knew the record needed balance. It needed percussion, and atmosphere to add groove and expansion with the live solo performance. A record of bare bones honesty, mixed with soulful elevation to ease the pain of its content.” The process began at Prairie Sun Recording (Tom Waits) with 13 microphones around a grand piano. “We pressed record over two days and got what we got,” Penwell explains. Tracks like Talking Head’s “Naïve Melody”, “Walking With You”, and “Momentary Cure” were born out of that session. The foundation for the rest of the record was laid by another one-day session of living room recording with Amie on piano and a microphone and Chris Haugen on guitars. Later, she paired up again with Leinbach to add the bass and drums, percussion, mixing and mastering.

Amie is currently #1 on UK Internet Radio http://www.somojo.net on their Pop chart with "Ending or Beginning" and on their Urban Grooves chart with "What Would Love Do" off of her 2005 Self Titled EP. Penwell is currently editing a video with for the records opening track, "Show Me To The River," with Director Alexander Kieselstein, and has begun recording the follow up EP, both due out in the spring of 2010. In 2010, she will be playing Yoshi's SF for the second time in 5 month, and touring west coast venues in support of the new release. -- STS Website: http://www.amiepenwell.net

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
REVIEW: Amie Penwell - King in a Temple

With an ethereal, resonant voice, Amie Penwell has talent oozing through her veins. Amie’s outstanding voice captivates and captures her audience with her unique style and intense emotion behind every word. Amie’s album, King in a Temple, is nothing short of a thought provoking emotional roller coaster through the many truths of life.

Show Me to the River is gospel style tune with all the soul you would expect from such a ballad. Penwell paints a picture through lyrical imagery and powerful, strong vocals with a beautiful tone that will touch your heart.

In Mercy, another great tune, Amie once again displays her truth and emotion with a chorus that will send chills up your spine. Amie also covers the Talking Head’s tune, Naive Melody, giving the song new depth and meaning and making it her own.

King in a Temple is an extremely moving album. Amie’s voice at times is reminiscent of Melissa Etheridge while maintaining her own unique flare. With such soul and powerful pipes paired with intellectually and emotionally transforming lyrics, King in a Temple is a relaxing reprieve from the norm while at the same time inspiring hope and truth.

4 out of 5 stars

SKOPE MAGAZINE REVIEW

Amie Penwell, King in a Temple

February 20, 2009

Singer/Songwriter/Pianist/Producer, Amie Penwell takes full credit for all except two songs on King in a Temple. This talented musician brings you down to the real nitty-gritty of music with her soulful approach. On the verge of gospel and pop, but just real true-to-heart soul singing represents Penwell and her latest work.

Other artists on the album include: Grammy-nominated producer, Ben Leinbach, who also contributes the drums, percussion, drum programming and bass—Chris Haugen on guitars/mandolin/acoustic dulcimer and last but not least Margot Holtzman on viola. The backing instruments to Penwell’s signature voice are right on tune here. Each artist complimented one another superbly by adding a whole other dimension to the sound.

Right away from Amie Penwell, I hear gut-wrenching emotion belted out in such a deep and sincere way. The funny part though is that Penwell is pouring herself out at you, but in such quiet fashion. Her tone is consistently soft-spoken throughout the record, but performed with such powerful conviction. The entire album is revolved around the loss of a person close to Penwell’s heart. She takes you on a trip of what she’s feeling first-hand, which makes for an enlightening experience. “Show me to the river, somewhere to wash away this feeling” captures the true spirit of King in a Temple right from the start.

10 well-performed and well-versed songs can be heard featuring one live cut, “Old Widow Maker” along with a Talking Heads cover, “Naïve Melody”. Definitely watch out for this indie artist as she displays high potential on her latest release. Amie Penwell seems to be an artist with an honest-to-truth sound and is on pace to Humanize the music world.

For more on Amie Penwell and her newest creation, King in a Temple, SKOPE out www.amiepenwell.net.

By Jimmy Rae

Rating: ★★★½☆

Soulful and Resonant

Like Chris Whitley's Dirt Floor or Feist's The Reminder, this is the kind of record that keeps resonating long after you stop listening. I'm an all-purpose music fan: I appreciate a catchy melody and a good beat as much as anyone. But some songs stay with me for years and become part of my life. They have that X factor of authenticity and depth that makes me want to hear them over and over again. King In A Temple is that kind of record. It knocked me out the first time I heard it, and sounds better with every spin.

HERE MAGAZINE
"PRESS PLAY"
Reviews of releases by local artists

AMIE PENWELL
"King In a Temple"

For Marin singer/songwriter Amie Penwell, a newcomer on the scene who's just released her debut independent CD, "King In a Temple", it's all about her unusual voice.

On her Web site, her bio says volumes about the impact of her vocal style.
"Take the voice of an angel and drop it one octave, like a lover's moan," it begins. "Amie Penwell's voice has that odd mixture of grit and polish that makes for great gospel singers, one who go seduced away by rhythm and blues. This is the voice of the choir girl who ran away with the preacher, the one that came from way in the back, and turned every head."
What's more: "it's the kind of voice that you'd believe even if you knew it was lying. It is a voice that cannot tell a lie.
There are times that Penwell reaches down and pulls it from a place so deeply sensual- so private-a gentleman might feel obligated to avert his stare, and turn away."

Sounds like Amie's voice moonlights in porn films. But it can do even more than cause guys to shrink from it's sensuality: "it's the kind of voice that makes men believe they share a secret with her, even when they do not. The first time you hear it, if you are sitting down, you will want to stand up. If you are standing, you may want to sit sown."
Penwell wrote nine of the 10 songs on "King In a Temple". They tend toward tender ballads like "Walking With You," with her accompanying herself on acoustic piano and Margot Holtzman adding sweetly supple lines on viola. She shines on the medium temp country tune "So Many Ways," co-written with Chris Haugen, who accompanies on guitar and mandolin.

And she does a fine job covering David Byrne's "Naive Melody," singing in a quavering voice steeped in emotion.

There's that voice again. It isn't something that needs any more describing. The best thing to do is put on "KIng In a Temple" and listen to it.
-PAUL LIBERATORE

“On her new CD, King In A Temple, Amie Penwell displays a level of quality not typically heard from a self-released artist. There’s an elegance in her arrangements and a passion in her voice that make the entire CD a real enjoyable listen.”
—Jim Nelson, A Taste Of Triple A

“Amie Penwell is one to watch! A relative newcomer Penwell is regarded
by many to be one of the next big heavy weights.”
Mark Langton- Marin Independent Journal

To hear Amies’ song ”MERCY” on the upcoming
DVA Production of “THE EYE’S OF THAILAND”
http://www.dvaproductions.com/portfolio.html

Amies’ first full length record will be released
in the fall of 2008!

“Amie Penwell is and amalgam of Annie Lennox and Peter Gabriel.”

“I have found from previous experience, that three songs isn't enough with this artist. Three songs leave me frustrated and wanting.

Amie’s musical style is that of soulful lamentations paired with beautiful melodies. Amie’s vocal delivery of the lyrics give each song a different signature emotional tone ranging from devastating to sorrowful to wrenching to uplifting. This is what sets her music apart from anything else I have ever heard.

I can't wait to spread the word on this extraordinary singer-songwriter.

Nusi - Indie Artist Review