Strangest Places is the title to the latest release by Abra Moore, and seems very appropriate as she found herself for the first time in Minneapolis, Saturday, Nov. 1, opening for Big Head Todd and the Monsters at the Orpheum Theatre.
Abra hit the stage opening with the title track to her latest CD, Strangest Places. Although her hit single "Four Leaf Clover" has gained a considerable amount of coverage both on the radio and MTV, Abra Moore is in fact so much more. Her latest collaboration with her producer/guitar player Mitch Watkins has produced a high quality blend of folk, rock, and blues. Her CD is interestingly moody, and quite a total package, unified through musical diversity. Abra is all about music. As she confessed to me in a recent interview, "I didn't choose music, it chose me." She also revealed how she loves to perform live, and that was definitely reflected Saturday night. Her live show is somewhat of a departure from her CD. With the aid of guitar genius Mitch Watkins, Abra transforms her moody folk/pop into an ethereal groove on stage. "Strangest Places" started off her set with a strong funk groove and a heavy bass line that set a great foundation for the rest of her songs to follow, as she slowly transgressed into her more acoustic-based songs.
After listening to the CD, I think you'll agree Abra is so much more than a "Four Leaf Clover", but after seeing and hearing her live, as well as actually talking to her, I have gained a great amount of respect for her natural musical talent. Music is admittedly a part of who she is. As she "thinks poetically" songs just come to her through the occurrences of everyday life. It's also impressive to see an artist who has the ability to creatively transform her songs on stage, into much more than what her already brilliant CD conveys.
