PICTURE THIS: Kelly McFarling @ Brick & Mortar, SF 7/19/13

July 22. 2013 | By Don Albonico

The Brick and Mortar Music Hall was the scene of Kelly McFarling‘s release of her second full-length studio album, Ridgeline. Second albums can be challenging for artists to find the time to devote to songwriting. Judging by what we heard that isn’t the case with Ridgeline.

Kelly McFarling @ The Brick and Mortar, SF 7/19/2013
Kelly McFarling @ The Brick and Mortar, SF 7/19/2013

The album contains a set of songs that show a maturing of Kelly’s songwriting abilities. She paints a landscape for your mind to travel into. It’s a place just a little ways out into the country. Kelly had her friends Lia Rose and Megan Keely lend their voices to ease your transition into that swing out on the porch. Kelly and Cave Clove teamed up to do a stunning rendition of Lauryn Hill’s “Tell Him” to the delight of the audience.

Kelly McFarling @ The Brick and Mortar, SF 7/19/2013
Kelly McFarling @ The Brick and Mortar, SF 7/19/2013

Kelly’s strong voice provides the emotional link that all good music needs. There is space in the music for everything settle into its place and the title track “Ridgeline” is an excellent example of this. As the song developed the pedal steel acted as a counterpoint to her voice as if she and the pedal steel sing back and forth to each other. Ridgeline is a solid album assembled by a set of great musicians for your listening pleasure.

Kelly McFarling @ The Brick and Mortar, SF 7/19/2013
Kelly McFarling @ The Brick and Mortar, SF 7/19/2013

Check out more fantastic photos HERE.

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