Hush [Audio CD] Siberry, Jane

After traversing musical territories spanning everything from dance to jazz to folk, vocalist Jane Siberry sets her sights on American and Celtic spirituals. With hints of the slow, layered vocal style of Walela, Siberry covers such standards as "O Shenandoah" and "The Water Is Wide". Unlike the deep, distinctly velvet soul of the Coolidge sisters, though, Siberry's singing is little more than pretty. "Pontchartrain", a lonely Irish lament accompanied by piano, evokes some emotion, but there is a sense of detachment in Siberry's vocals. In fact, the entire collection suffers from a soft vocal sheen that lacks soul. Many of the songs chosen here are spiritual hymns or laments, music that is rooted in loss, humility and storytelling. But there is no sense of melancholy here. It's as if Siberry admires these stories more than truly relates to the pain portrayed. It is also difficult to know whether accompanying vocals, which form an impressive Enya-like pillow around Siberry, are Siberry's voice duplicated or actually other singers. No other vocalists are credited. While such singers as Loreena McKennitt can make us feel the desperate ache in a chilling portrayal of "The Highwayman", Siberry's passion for tradition is not apparent. Hence the listener is left feeling a bit soothed, but somewhat empty. --Karen K. Hugg