Reprinted from Buddy Magazine
Heather Clickard - Heather Clickard
Crucible Artists

If music is an emotional language of its own, as many people believe, this debut CD communicates a melancholy, Southern soul: quiet, deep perseverance with the assumption of a better life beyond hardscrabble. 

The lyrics in these seductive songs combine emotional eroticism with, eventually, biblical references. If that sounds complicated, so be it. That's what existence is.

The instruments are mostly fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, and drums, along with Heather Clickard's sometimes weary-sounding alto. Clickard wrote all of the songs except for the unexpected, languid, effective cover of Sam Cooke's classic R&B hit "Bring It On Home" ("bring your sweet lovin', bring it on home to me").

"Josh's Lullaby," a song for her infant son, sounds something like a hot summer afternoon cross between "I'll Fly Away" and the riverside seduction song from "O Brother, Where Art Thou." 

"Thunder and Thunder" is a song about longing filtered through wisdom. "Something Real" is a song about seeking peace and grace. Is "Perfect Love" a bitterly ironic song about finally letting go, or is it epiphany? Is "Home" a song about seeking redemption? The fine line of ambiguity separating reality from the unreal makes interpretation both interesting and challenging. Our best lyrics, like our best music, often come from within that fine, limitless line. From beginning to end, this is a solid, moving CD for the involved listener.

Article by Tom Geddie.
Tom is famous worldwide for his probing and informative articles in the Dallas TX based magazine Buddy. Visit the Lone Star Web Station

Phantom Tollbooth Review

Thunder EP
Artist: Heather Clickard 
Label: Crucible Records
Length: 6/25:14
http://www.tollbooth.org/2002/reviews/hclickard.html

It’s hard to know whether the success of O Brother Where Art Thou? will produce a plethora of imitators of old school Americana or if it will give light to those who were already performing this music in obscurity.  Probably, as with most trends, a little of both will occur.  Whichever category Heather Clickard falls isn’t relevant ­ her self-titled EP consists of six exceptional songs.

Clickard’s voice can be described as a mix of Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shania Twain, Natalie Merchant, and almost every Lilith Fair artist.  She wanders from country (“Joshua’s Lullaby”) to Americana (“Thunder is Thunder”) to bluesy roots music (“Bring It On Home,” a Sam Cooke cover) seamlessly.

“Thunder is Thunder” points out that marriage is not a quick fix for the problems in our lives.  “Perfect Love” deals with holding fast to Christ, and features great mandolin and fiddle work by Bryan Simpson.  

Heather Clickard marks a fine debut for this formerly unknown artist ­  a large label should look at signing her and reaping huge benefits as a result.

Brian A. Smith    16 August 2002

4 tocks out of 5

Thunder EP
HEATHER CLICKARD

reviewed by spodysingalong

Despite my love of punk, hard emo and other more raucous musical forms, I'm also a pretty big fan of folk and country-folk songstresses. Heather Clickard is well on her way to becoming another fantastic addition to the folk/country genre.

With a vocal twang some of us have grown accustomed to through years of listening to country music and warm folk/bluegrass guitar sounds, this six song EP has a definite appeal. Heather's vocals are special...she's telling stories and she's hoping you'll listen. Her vocals will slide over you like warm honey, especially on the spiritual lullaby, "Josh's Lullaby". This song, with it's lilting fiddle and harmony vocals would be a sound choice to play while rocking your colicky infant in hopes of getting you both some rest.

The warm sound of the mandolin is another nice touch. The album has an overall warm and rich feeling. The vocals are the real charmer. Heather's clear tone and rich style will have you spinning the disc whenever you need to feel a sense of camaraderie. Crucible Artists picked up a gem in Heather and I'm sure we'll hear great things from her in the future.

My Favorites:
#4 | Josh's Lullaby
#5 | Something Real

Genre: Folk/Country
Released: 2002