Amanda Cunningham - Run
Country, Americana, Alt-Country
Oklahoma, United States
Overall Impression: Superb writing and excellent performances blend together in a truly graceful manner in this excellent Americana-infused folk piece by Amanda Cunningham. "Run" is a great example of what the genre has to offer and is a testament to what great songwriting can achieve regardless of duration. In its brisk runtime, "Run" manages to achieve a great deal, and does so with great style. Amanda gives a brilliantly understated performance that's filled with both nuance and refinement, encapsulating the genre perfectly.
Strongest Point(s): The performances are certainly a standout and capture the spirit of the genre wonderfully. Amanda showcases a tremendous amount of character and subtle expressiveness in her vocal delivery that makes for a resoundingly soothing listening experience from start to finish. The folk genre has always treated both the vocalist and lyrical tale their telling as the main focal point, it's very much about building a relationship between the lyrics, vocalist, and listener and it's clear Amanda understand this relationship, and it makes for a deeply engaging performance that is both smartly understated and intimate in nature. Along with the poignant lyrics and all-round solid performances, I really like the way small changes in instrumentation and texture are made in order to significantly alter the overall "feel" of the piece, whether it'd be the stripped-back approach in the opening to the expanded middle section that feels broader in both scope and space, this track manages to do more in its brisk runtime of 2:19 than many can accomplish in double that, which is certainly no easy feat, and for that I must tip my hat off to everyone involved!
Target Audience Appeal: This is an excellent example of what the folk genre has to offer, and with its subtle Americana elements, fans of both genres will find themselves connecting with "Run" on a deep level.
Artist target suggestions: Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, George Harrison, James Taylor, Cara Dillon, Patty Griffin, Jamie Drake, Joni Mitchell, Simon &Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Caitlin Canty, Judee Sill, James Taylor, Jim Croce
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About the Reviewer:
Andre is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.