The Jennifer Tefft Band
The Jennifer Tefft Band – B-Sides To Nothing
Gypsy Spin Music (P.O. Box 113, Medfield, MA 02052)
A veteran of countless marquee showcases, including the Boston Music
Awards, the 1998 Levis/Lilith Fair Showcase, the 1998 Discmakers
Independent Music World Series and a special performance with Boston’s
lords of rock, Aerosmith, Jennifer Tefft sings emotive stories of devotion
and despair. Backed by the deep rhythms of bassist Jason DeWaard and
drummer Jim Hollister, this established gypsy also spins her occasional
guitar work with the solo Strat swirls of John Parillo, a trio who
definitely know how to rattle the box. Though some of the tunes meld
musically into somewhat indistinguishable but coherent themes, there are
notable standouts even among these motifs such as the funk-rock grooves of
“Not Far To Go,” “Never Look Down,” and “From This Window” and the
anguished defiance of “Prove” and “No Vacancy.” Throughout, Tefft’s
controlled creaks and cries demand close attention which is rewarded by
her sharp lyricism, which includes this misguided notion that “I’m nothing
special yet.” If these are the “B-Sides,” Tefft is sure to rate an A!
- Spencer Matthews
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