Bozeman singer/songwriter Amber Ikeman’s debut album, Free, has a modern folk bent. She tired of her nine-to-five job and longed to see the West, so the transplanted Floridian took to the road to start a new life a couple years ago, lured to Montana by the beauty of the Yellowstone. Her nomadic journey led her to compose tales about a present-day western pioneer, struggling and discovering herself.
She’s been performing for nigh on 20 years, was influenced early on by her parents’ interest in folk music, and trained in music and voice. It’s obvious. Her well-trained soprano shows off excellent control and intonation.
Ikeman plays guitar and piano, and is accompanied by many well-known Bozeman-area pickers. There’s Chris Cundy on organ/piano, Jody Engstrom and Parker Brown on upright bass, co-producer Chris Cunningham on lots of instruments as well as backing harmonies, Thomas Roberts on drums, and Chelsea Hunt and Trevor Krieger on violin and fiddle, respectively.
The first tune, an airy country loper, is “Angels Landing.” It speaks of redemption and contains pretty fiddle and rolling guitar. “The Runaway (Take Me, Jamie)” has a spooky flair. “Take me, Jamie, burn all the past away,” Ikeman sings. She counts Joan Baez among her influences and I’m hearing that nuance here, especially on Baez’s early recordings of old English folk melodies. Ikeman’s delivery is trembly and emotional, which is fitting.
“Roots” is a quiet ballad; Ikeman seeks the strength and stability of a tree, holding her up and giving her permanence in an impermanent world. Piano and violin augment this vibrant and powerful tune.
On “Give Me a Home” Ikeman borrows from the old chestnut “Home on the Range,” but adds a melody that sounds almost operatic in sensibility. It features sweet slide guitar and violin interplay, and makes for a peaceful finale to the album.
Watch for this gal. She’s worth catching. Visit www.amberikeman.com.
– Mariss McTucker