By B.J. Weikert

I've always thought of myself as pretty much of a male pig when it comes to female musical artists and there's not too many out there that I'm in awe of. Those I do consider amazing include Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ko Ko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, The Carter Gals, Patsy Cline, Wanda Jackson, Rose Flores, Lucinda Williams, Blondie, that chick in The Motels, Janis, Patty Loveless, Allison Krauss....Hhmmm, I guess maybe I'm not so much a male chauvinist pig after all. Well, now there's another chick I'm really digging - Dana.

Even though she's got three previous albums under her belt, Dana's career is completely unknown by this writer. I'm not sure how well her other albums were received by the mass market, but I hope she makes it big with her new release, because "Thread Of Blue" blew me away. The only other recent, up and coming female artist that has had such an effect on my listening pleasure has been Anne McCue (review pending) who plays all the guitar and includes a 9 ½ minute version of Hendrix's "Machine Gun" on her upcoming album. Enough said.

Dana was born in Queen's, New York but moved to Cleveland at the age of one. Her alcoholic father left the family when she was 12, so she spent her remaining youth with her mother and two other sisters. Dana was making up and writing songs at the early age of 5 and taught herself how to play piano. She later picked up the guitar and discovered that such artists as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Joni Mitchell enthralled her. As a teenager, she dropped out of high school a month before graduation and soon found herself on a path of aimlessness and self-destruction. The major considerations in her life at this point were guys, drugs and horses. It wasn't too much further along this road that Dana experienced an epiphany of sorts. She was cutting school one day when a spell overcame her and she found herself reeling and at the point of unconsciousness. It was at this point that God spoke up and said "Hey, get your shit together or your going to die". So she got her shit together.

Dana went on to study pre-med in college, but evidently that didn't work out and she ended up chasing down her one true love- that being making music. But not just any run-of-the-mill music, she wanted something more. Her poetic sensibilities had to come into play. Her inherent sense of rhythm and drama, of give and take, of dark and light all came together, and for the first time, everything made sense. In her own words, Dana says: "I have always felt that making music is my destiny, the pursuit of muse is such a rush, when I write a song or come up with something in the studio that sounds just right, it's like an orgasm".

Dana's music is all at once mystical, pioneering and gripping, what great music is all about. There's not a wasted second on this album. It's visionary and thoroughly enjoyable from one end to the other. All stuff, no fluff. It is truly a complete and cohesive visualization. Not only is Dana's voice an amazing gift; she also possesses a strong Amazonian blue-eyed, blond-haired splendor that is at once both tough, yet tender.

Dana is a gifted songwriter to be reckoned with. These are some of the most remarkable songs that I've heard in quite some time and they all spring from the same pen. These songs are ambitious, complex and stunning, both lyrically as well as musically. Dana fronts a tight, masterful collection of players who perfectly and seamlessly merge with her artistic vision. I'm sure that this collective has come close together as studio mates as well as special friends during the making of this album.

The opening title track "Thread Of Blue" begins with a seemingly Middle Eastern vibe (actually a sample from the 60's era Vietnamese chant "Peace To The World") whose nearly whispered opening verse expands with Dana's ethereal vocals that at the same time elevate and subdue. Melancholy pervades, although there lies a ray of hope at the end. The complex musical execution coats the lyrics with ear gratifying authority. Think Kate Bush at her best (The Kick Inside) or a female Peter Gabriel.

Dana's lyrical depth as a songwriter is at once poetic, strong and endearing. Though often times of a seemingly gloomy nature, the inherent beauty of her wordsmithing shines through. Take for example the following lyrics from "Tear Streaks":

Statues that gather dust, love that fades to lust
Tin roofs that turn to rust so far away
Train whistles in the air, dream breaks beyond repair

I see you everywhere so far away

The third cut on the album, "Passion" is the musical equivalent to Viagra. This song is an orgasm for the ears. It builds relentlessly in intensity right from the get-go and then flows along passionately, building up steam until it reaches the final climax. Another example of Dana's intriguing lyricism is evidenced in the next cut "Seraphim and Seagulls"

Everything you gain must have a cost
In spite of pain and loss

Open up and give

Unlock your hands to those in need

Bleed with those who bleed

The way we're meant to live

If you want to rise

"Stronger Than" opens with a rocking Byrds-like ringing guitar lick that introduces a rapid string of social conscious lyrics that you can't help but tap toe to. Envision Dylan crossed with Edie Brickell. Another winner. This song is self evident of the powerful production that went into the making of this release; at the same time intricate yet intoxicating.

"Lost In The Snow" was written about Dana's younger sister with whom she is no longer close to yet doesn't know exactly why. It's about the remembrance of someone close, a hopeful future savior who remains just out of touch - just on the other side of this existence, just across the physical barriers of this reality. Folks, this is big time goose bump territory. The full orchestration of this cut swells up into a place of beautiful vertigo that will leave you spent and swaying.

"Tuscany" is about living a dreary, work-a-day life and yet dreaming of a better place, a better life. Haven't we all been there? Listen close to this cut and you just might cut loose the trappings of your present life and chase the dream. Yeah, right.

The final cut on Thread Of Blue, "Touch And Go" is the capper. This song broadcasts Dana's powerful songwriting and exemplary vocals to full to effect. Simply glorious in its poetic strength, the song's piano and string driven vibe manages to convey the idea that the eventual dissipation of things worthwhile and wanted can be the most heart rending of realizations. Nothing lasts forever, especially the things we hold most dear.

When I was a child, I tried to catch a lace of snow
Watched it melt away, didn't know - didn't know
That the heat of my body was too much

I cried for the beauty that I killed by my touch

I put out my hand to hold the snow

But you can't hold beauty, because it's touch and go

Well, at least I can play Thread Of Blue over again and again. This is an album that I indeed now hold dear. You know, maybe I've been fooling myself for far too long a time as to the fact of seeing myself as a male pig when it comes to female artists, shit just take a look at the list of my favorites at the beginning of this review. I admit it, I was wrong, and it took Dana to help me to see the light.