Sketches by Jim Barbaro
Reviewer: Jane Ellen from New Mexico, USA

What can you say about an album where the fusion between music, lyrics, and production seems faultless? I've come to have high expectations of Jim Barbaro because of his previous collaborations with lyricist and co-producer George Gesner ("Burning Blue" and "Eco Logic"), but in this album, all preconceived notions are blown away. This third disc in the evolution of Barbaro's solo career seems to have carved a niche in which he is supremely comfortable: solid, well-crafted, introspective songs, with abundantly eclectic influences, plenty of passion, and room to rock. Add to this the astonishing ease with which he moves between rough, jagged vocal stylings, and smooth, lyrical phrases, and you have all the ingredients for success. Did I mention that it comes in the nicest package I've seen in some time? Photos, line drawings, and lyrics are all found in a beautiful fold out jacket, appropriate packaging for an album of this exceptional quality. I hope this won't be the last effort we see from Barbaro and friends; there is certainly an audience out there waiting for them. Favourite tracks: "Every Heart Will Have Its Day," "If Love is Blind," "Geometry," "Dear Heart," and "Hanging on For Dear Love."