Good Summer Rain
2008 (c) (p) Blue Pie Music/BMI
The 11 songs on Good Summer Rain span from the intimate streets of Greenwich Village to the sweeping vistas of Jackson Hole, reaching out to where farmland gives way to urban sprawl, wilderness gives way to industrial growth.
The CD creates a vivid travelogue of the North American landscape, often feeling as expansive as the land itself. They encompass both the beauty and the grit of our world today, leaving the listener to contemplate the impacts of change, and the dilemmas that ensue.
Produced and recorded in Boston by Crit Harmon (Martin Sexton, Mary Gauthier, Lori McKenna) Good Summer Rain draws on some of the Northeast's finest session musicians, fusing the rootsy Americana sounds of dobro, mandolin, guitar and drums with the elegance of piano and upright bass to offer a rich textural foundation for Erica's expressive lyrics and intimate, conversational vocal style. The CD was sponsored in part by The Trust for Public Land, a national organization.
““If this CD doesn’t compel you to get outside and enjoy what little green space we have left, put it on for a mental break while you’re stuck in the concrete grid of rush hour.”
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““Her songs measure the cost of urban sprawl not in terms of species endangered, but in memories lost. Her lyrics evoke all the trails we’ve hiked, the streams swum, the trees climbed, and all the moments of growth enjoyed there—the silent epiphanies, the stolen kisses—without ever sounding preachy. But when she drops the truism “Your children won’t know (the land) the way I did,” suddenly your local zoning battle may seem a little more interesting.””
““Listening to Good Summer Rain is like flipping through the photo album of an Ansel Adams road trip. Each artfully created song transports the listener to a particular location, like a snapshot in time.””
Almost Like Tonight
2004/Blue Pie Music/BMI
Recorded mostly in Florida during a 2004 concert, this recording includes songs by Erica and cover songs such as Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" and James McMurty's "Angeline" and her frequently requested version of Mark Graham's "I Can See Your Aura."
““This mostly acoustic album finds Wheeler doing what she does best, which is enchanting crowds with her songs and personality. Most of the songs are from her previous albums with a few covers mixed in. You also get one previously unreleased song to make it even more enticing. She came up on the open mike and coffee house circuit and has never strayed from her roots and vision. This is one of those discs where if you close your eyes you’d swear you were there.” ”
Three Wishes
1999/ Signature Sounds
Erica Wheeler/BMI
Produced by Steven Miller Recorded in NYC in 1999 and produced by Steven Miller ( Dar Williams, John Gorka) this CD features a lush musical palette with an Americana/Alternative Country sound. It features members of Bob Dylan's road band including guitarist extraordinaire Larry Campbell.
Praise for "Three Wishes"
““Erica Wheeler has jumped a huge step forward with her mature, new album...(her) voice and lyrics are beautifully expressive. A major talent.”
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““..full of sharp, detailed storytelling wed to catchy melodies... Wheeler’s talent is ripe to sustain a wider pop audience.” ”
““...possibly Wheeler’s best work to date. Another outstanding release from one of our best new singer-songwriters.” ”
““There are many original songs here that seem to capture a moment or a story so well that you can’t imagine them being done better. Throw in a couple of covers by James McMurtry (Angeline) and Bill Morrissey (Casey, Illinois) and add Wheeler’s warmth and vocal texture, and you have a winner. I can’t stop listening to it. Three Wishes is one of my picks among the best of this year’s independent recordings.” ”
The Harvest
1996/Signature Sounds
Erica Wheeler/BMI
The Harvest was Erica Wheeler's Signature Sounds label debut. Released in November 1996, it propelled her into the forefront of the contemporary singer-songwriter movement and was considered her 'breakout' release. The CD charted for 5 months on Gavin's Americana chart with 4 weeks in the top ten and Erica was featured on NPR's All Things Considered as well as other nationally syndicated radio programs.
Produced by Grammy nominee Laurie Lewis the CD draws from the influences of folk, new country, bluegrass and blues. It features award winning California musicians including Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Barbara Higbie and Todd Phillips.
Praise for "The Harvest"
““The Harvest is a splendid demonstration of Erica Wheeler’s talents as a writer and performer.” ”
““Wheeler is the perfect Americana fit.”
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““The record is superb... I can’t wait for more of her artistry.”
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From That Far
1992, Blue Pie Music/BMI
Produced by award-winning producer Darleen Wilson (Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Cosy Sheridan) and featured some of the finest session players the northeast has to offer; including Doug Plavin and the late Johnny Cunningham among others. It was featured on many 'Best of 93' lists and received high praise and air play across the nation.
Praise for "From That Far"
““Erica Wheeler won’t let you do anything else while listening to From That Far. She just keeps coming up with surprise after surprise until she’s got you nodding earnestly saying ‘oh, I like this, more please.” ”
““Excellent writing, excellent production-overall a refreshingly different release.” ”
