October 28th 1999 Local Exposure

Local Exposure
CD Reviews of Area Musicians

Julie Schreiber
To Dreaming
Jule Bug Publishing

by Jason Timoll

A few years ago, when Julie Schreiber was in her early teens, you could tell that her future would hold for her many options. With several octaves in tact before the age of eighteen, doors simply open. The first big door was her acceptance to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she continues to lay the groundwork for a fruitful career. Arguably, the second for Schreiber was recruiting Bob Welsh from the local studio, The Greenroom, to produce her natural talent and make it radio-ready. That being said, the Julie Schreiber Band has just released its latest CD, To Dreaming — a coming of age hit that serves as the natural next step in what is sure to be a long and rewarding dance with song.

Perhaps the most outstanding quality of Schreiber’s work is an innate ability to express feelings beyond her years. Just as any artist struggles to find the courage and integrity that is required to go that far into the soul, Schreiber, too, struggles, but succeeds, in doing so. In perusing the tracks of this record, one is likely to have the complete change of mood that only a well-balanced account of person’s most true and textured life can provide.

Having kept abreast with Schreiber’s career and having had the opportunity to know her for several years, it is sometimes difficult to reconcile my knowledge of her as a generally upbeat person with the depth of struggle that exists in songs like “Miss Susie Something” — a song which seems to depict an abused girl who wrestles with running away and coming back home. Similarly, on track eight, the listener can again sense the darkness that is often reality, as Schreiber sings mournfully, yet soulfully, of “Broken Family.” My favorite track on the CD, track five, entitled “Civilians,” more so than any other track demonstrates the versatility of perspective that it will take to be in this business for the long haul. “Civilians” is a light song that reminds me of walking the streets of Manhattan, observing the affected in nature in which many New Yorkers carry themselves. I could almost envision a music video, wherein I see Schreiber spinning an umbrella, laughing, and staring at the passers-by as she sings the words that describe them. It is that rather aviated freedom that fills the spirit of track eleven, “Internal Sky.“ A song of fulfillment and rejoice, this one opens up the side of her that one is most likely to meet when being introduced to Julie Schreiber, the person. It is fitting that, being an endearing person, she would put together a collection of songs that To Dreaming’s producer, Welsh, says, “has something for everyone.”

When Schreiber arrived at Berklee, she probably could have expected that she would find artists from around the world with the similar intent of sharpening their skills at one of the finer music institutions in the world. With that thought in mind, she had a dynamic canvas of talent to choose from in preparing a band to support this project. On the bass, Schreiber selected one, Andreas Holmstrom from Stockholm, Sweden, to create that funky down home rhythm that even the Average White Band would be proud of. When playing the music of a singer/songwriter, it is important to have a tasteful touch and let the lyrics be felt, not just heard — and Holmstrom manages to answer his duties with style and discipline. Joe Goretti, another product of the Berklee system, is keeping down the rest of the pocket on drums, touring with Schreiber on the road. By way of producer Welsh, Schreiber managed to recruit Harrisburg drummer extraordinaire, Rej Troup of the Martini Bros. Rounding up her road band is Ty Tuschen of Redding, Ca., who is not only a classically trained guitarist, but also a classically trained violinist who has played with several symphony orchestras in his time.

As Schreiber has grown, so too has her music. As evidenced in this new CD, she relies less on her teasing with octave shifts and more on a solid delivery of songs. They are well written and well produced and can simply stand on their own. This record will help establish Julie Schreiber as an up-and-comer among the thrones of women in music. I can only think that there are great things in store for the Julie Schreiber Band.

Join Julie Schreiber at the Harrisburg Jewish Community Center on November 6 at 6pm, and pick up the first copies of her new CD!