| In 2000, Jim wrote this about
"Will I Ever Know" . . . Kim Buchanan, a performing songwriter who makes her home in Person County, North Carolina, has a view that encompasses much more than her rural home base. Her CD "Will I Ever Know?", released on her own 2911 Productions label, tackles several themes which apply to a much wider group than her Roxboro neighbors alone. The title song, "Will I Ever Know", is a case in point. It deals poignantly with that desire and effort of lovers to try to always know what is going through the other's mind and emotions, in spite of the obvious impossibility of the task (short of ESP). She comes to realize this in the song: "Why I blame myself, for your discomfort, And I would shoulder all your pain What keeps me in this screwed up game? Will I ever know?" She achieves an almost Spanish sound with her choice of minor guitar chords and rhythms on this song. In "This Could Be Now", she questions how much we really have changed for the better in terms of urban quality of life, racism, and violence. "Western lore reveals the tales When the kids had guns and ale To get known and gain respect Life was cheap, who'll be shot next? Are those days gone? I might be wrong But that could be now" She uses a generally straight-ahead strumming technique on this song, which works very well. She also weaves in vocal harmonies which, while pretty, take a little of the sting out of the message. "Portraits" is generally about how our children reflect the good and the bad in ourselves, and should be required listening for parents considering irresponsibility. "I've seen their happy faces Glowing in the sun And it warms my heart Knowing that's a part of me And when the anger surfaces And bullets fly in their eyes It really makes me shudder Thinking, knowing that's a part of me Seeing the reflections of our lives on their face They are the portraits of our lives" This song has an almost hypnotic chord and rhythm progression, and aside from some light harmony is almost entirely her alone. In person Kim is, if anything, more impressive than on the CD. She has a quality of beauty which, while undeniably present on the outside, seems even more to radiate from within. Watching and listening to her play her songs solo is to get a glimpse into a soul of depth and compassion, but which does see the world very clearly and reports accurately on it. She also has a quality in person of really committing to the lyric of the song she is singing, a sort of leaning into it. I consider myself fortunate to have had her in the WFSS studios first, and fully expect to brag about this for some years. Definitely someone to check out! Jim Graves Host, Free Flight 91.9 FM WFSS 1200 Murchison Rd Fayetteville, NC 28301 E: JAGravesIII@hotmail.com
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