While its über filtered lensing, amber glow lighting, and just a millisecond or two off on the lip syncing and musician play give this “serious” presentation a bit of an unintentional parody feel, the new “behind-the-scenes” video approach for soul jazz chanteuse, Lindsey Webster, can’t dilute the impact of her sumptuous vocal performance and lean, but tough lyricism of “You Change.” Directed by Justin Martinez and Kevin Smith for Upstate Moving Images and filmed at Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, NY a year ago, the “candid” view all seems a bit too put on and earnestly calculated to fully take seriously. But, the lushness of Webster’s top-notch song and its star’s sweet charms save the day.
While its über filtered lensing, amber glow lighting, and just a millisecond or two off on the lip syncing and musician play give this “serious” presentation a bit of an unintentional parody feel, the new “behind-the-scenes” video approach for soul jazz chanteuse, Lindsey Webster, can’t dilute the impact of her sumptuous vocal performance and lean, but tough lyricism of “You Change.” Directed by Justin Martinez and Kevin Smith for Upstate Moving Images and filmed at Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, NY a year ago, the “candid” view all seems a bit too put on and earnestly calculated to fully take seriously. But, the lushness of Webster’s top-notch song and its star’s sweet charms save the day.
One of several gems from Webster’s sophomore indie release, the title track of You Change is an apt representation of the sultry project as a whole, one of sophisticated, emotionally sincere soul about love and relationships. In this tense song about the conflict that arises between a lying partner who has evolved and perhaps strayed while the other has remained static and true, Webster and co-writer and co-producer Keith Slattery illustrate their team’s growing maturity as songwriters who know a little something about both unforced music and the lies we tell ourselves to avoid the heartache of knowing, only to return for more pain again and again. On the original warm recording, Webster is ably backed by Slattery on keys, Mike DeMicco on guitar, Dan Hickey on drums, and a here unseen Reggie Earls on background vocals. Collectively, this talented bunch rescue this video and showcase a song that just touches the tip of the iceberg of one of the best adult contemporary albums of the year.
By L. Michael Gipson