Barbara Ester
Heartsong reviews
Reviewed by jody jewdyke (Outland, NM / British Columbia)
for Maize - a Lesbian Country Magazine / fall 2008
Heartsongs
Stunningly beautiful only begins to describe this latest recording of our beloved Barbara Ester and Beth York. Barbara’s and Beth’s musical gifts join and enhance each other -- rich voices, affirming and Lesbian loving words, poignant and delightful instrumentals.
The blend of old favorites with new songs and moving instrumental pieces is just right. The music evokes many emotions bringing us full circle from joy, love, sadness, sweetness, appreciation, and back to joy.
My heart filled listening to the song “ So Familiar ”, lovingly sung together and to each other.
This music is so wonderfully and lovingly for Lesbians and celebrates and affirms our Loves, our Lives. Thank you, Barbara and Beth for creating such beauty and once again sharing your precious music.
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Music review: for Rain & Thunder by Kim Rivers
Heartsongs
Barbara Ester & Beth York
I had the feeling of going back in time when listening to this CD. The rich vocals of Barbara Ester interwoven with her own and Beth York’s melodic instrumentals are delightfully reminiscent of early womyn’s music. Together they weave for us a tapestry of living, loving, and introspection as Lesbians.
Although the CD may at first give a nostalgic feeling of early womyn’s music, it is soon clear that Barbara and Beth give fresh and unique nuances in the making of their music. We as listeners are taken on a journey that has its roots in our herstory of womyn’s music, but like great trees we send out our branches; so too do Beth and Barbara in this ever unfolding musical blossoming.
Barbara’s voice beckons us to know we are entering a special place. The song ‘Incantation’ sets the mood for us by creating the sphere of Lesbian-only space. Further, we are invited to delight in remembering the excitement we may have felt when we first heard music by, for, and about Lesbians. I imagined a group of dykes sitting around the campfire singing ‘We Are Everywhere.’ This song like ‘Ode To A Gym Teacher’ or ‘The Leaping Lesbians’ could easily become the next great Dyke anthem. I smiled with recognition to hear the familiar Alix Dobkin song ‘Her Precious Love.’ This added to the familiarity of this music and made me want to keep listening.
I was particularly moved by the lyrics of ‘My Song.’ “Living without yourself is lonely. Emptiness, not for me. I’ve got to let my voices fill me. I’ve got to sing for me.” To me this song spoke so true to the struggles we face as Lesbians when we seek to be our most authentic selves in the face of everything else that tells us we are wrong. The pain of giving voice to our deep inner selves and the joy of letting that voice ring out. I have no doubt any lesbian would find her own meaning in this song, but likely we have all shared what Barbara and Beth try to share with us in their music and words. **
If you love the music that was characteristic of the early years of womyn’s music both catchy and complex, reflecting all the moods we as lesbians have. If you want lyrics that speak to our experience then and now, deep and thoughtful, then you want this CD. It will be familiar, yet fresh and innovative, much like a long-time friend. “Remember all the stories we have shared along this journey...”
Rain & Thunder is a Radical Feminist Journal
Since 1998 – Northampton, Ma www.rainandthunder.org
** 'My Song' was written by Bairbre
"Barbara's mellow voice
embraces the lyrics with
tenderness and strength
The sensual and passionate
support of guitar & piano
by Beth touch me deeply."
"What a gift,
delightful....fabulous ! "
