Girls Say Yes
"To Boys Who Say NO"
by Johanna J. Bodde


                                                                   

GIRLS SAY YES   "To Boys Who Say NO" (The Paisley Pop Label)  www.paisleypop.com --- The CD has three models on the cover, deceiving little joke, because Girls Say Yes is the name of a musicians collective around singer-songwriter Jim Huie from Portland, Oregon. I first met Jim during the memorable European tour of Russ Tolman's 2 Car Garage Band in the tempestuous Fall of 1998. He was the drummer. He told me about his plans, every time when some money was available again, he went with Russ as co-producer into the studio. I admire people with perseverance and the result, that he has released on his own Paisley Pop label, is noteworthy! The reference to the renowned Paisley Underground scene is clear, that homage is a binding element on this album too and also keeps it from the risk to become fragmentated, as there are many different things done by many different people! Jim writes almost everything (with humor!), plays various instruments but sings on only eight of the fifteen tracks leadvocals himself, those are also the songs that come out strongest right away. Especially "How To Do Everything Right" lingers for a long time. The line-up of guesting musicians is impressive, a few names: Richard McGrath (pal of Russ from True West), Mitch Easter (Let's Active, producer of REM) and Bobby Sutliff (The Windbreakers). Also the 2 Car Garage Band isn't missing of course: Russ proves again what a killer-guitarist he still is. Jeff Kane plays the 12-string and we hear bassist Roland Couture playing on 13 tracks, he can also handle a banjo, 12-string and solo-guitar! Beside the Paisley there's also the nice smooth Pop, all in all worth the effort of checking it out and being surprised by all those interesting musicians, but especially by Jim! --- Written by Johanna J. Bodde, Dutch original of this review previously published on Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands =====