Her Name is Calla make beautifully layered, textured, detailed records. They're also a phenomenal live act, capable of devastating power. 'Epic' is a word that's chronically overused, and one that's become almost synonymous with Her Name is Calla. However, when it comes to them, it's entirely justified, and the three tracks here - with a combined running time of over half an hour - more than ably evidence.
'Motherfucker! It's Alive and Bleeding' is substantially reworked from earlier outings and also from the studio version that appears on 'The Heritage.' It's fraught, tense, taught and blistering, with a succession of short explosive peaks before the eventual, inevitable crescendo that builds and builds before the levee finally breaks and it hits like a tsunami.
Listening to 'Condor and River', I'm transported back to the first time I heard Her Name is Calla, supporting iLiKETRAiNS (as they then were). They opened with this song, and I was blown away. Even now, it's one of those songs that has the rare capacity to inspire absolute awe, not only because of its immense scope, but also because of its emotional force. On this recording, the performance is absolutely searing, staggeringly tight and played with a passion that's undeniable. It may be over fifteen minutes in duration and mentally exhausting, but it still isn't long enough.
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Representing the most recent compositions in Her Name is Calla's catalogue is 'Pour More Oil'. Stirring from hushed reverence to an almost choral climax, it’s enough to bring a tear to the eye of even the most stoic of listeners. It’s nothing short of breathtaking.
As a live recording, 'Live at Denovali Swingfest 2010' is of exceptional quality. Fans of the band certainly won't be disappointed (and I say that speaking as one myself), and for the uninitiated... stop missing out and download this now!
Download 'Live at Denovali Swingfest 2010' for free here
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