Jillian Cardarelli’s Little Big Sky is an impressive collection of eleven songs produced by Marty Walsh (session guitarist for LeAnn Rimes, former guitarist with Supertramp) and with material co-written by noted songwriter Don Campbell. The material is strong with most compositions coming in around the three to four minute mark, “If He Asks” as good as anything on an Olivia Newton-John release back in her glorious heyday of pioneering pop/country crossover on a mass scale.
With radio what it is these days Caradarelli is smart to go the country route, classy melodies with the young lady’s expressive voice works in a big way. Just listen to the quasi-Jackie DeShannon-styled “One Way Ticket” with its perfect “Needles and Pins” guitar hook (thank you Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono).
Followed by track 10, “Love You Just A Little”, the singer has the potential to launch internationally if she can get some major league management behind her. With Walsh she’s on the right track and the ballad “Lights Of Graceland” is the tune-for-Elvis that the notable guitarist/producer is pushing as the hit. Not a bad choice, though there’s lots to choose from on this compelling disc.
Joe Viglione is the Chief Film Critic at TMRZoo.com who has recently interviewed directors Neil Marshall (Centurion), Michael Moore, Charles H. Ferguson (Inside Job), David Koepp and many others.. He was a film critic for Al Aronowitz’s The Blacklisted Journal, has written thousands of reviews and biographies for AllMovie.com, Allmusic.com and produces and hosts Visual Radio.
