Tag Archives: Tift Merritt

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Tift Merritt – See You On the Moon

At some point in a relatively new artist’s career, she stops being the “next so-and-so” or “a cross between x and y” and becomes just who she is.

Since the release of her 2002 debut Bramble Rose, Tift Merritt has been compared to such greats as Emmylou Harris, Dusty Springfield, Lucinda Williams, Carole King and Joni Mitchell. But with her latest release, See You On the Moon, it’s safe to say she’s established what it means to be Tift Merritt.

It means one of the best voices in the business — equally at ease with a throaty rasp or a delicate high note — singing heartfelt, well-crafted songs over subtly muscular instrumentation. And it means her keen intelligence and big heart shining through every note.

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Song of the Day #731: ‘Stray Paper (Live)’ – Tift Merritt

I’m writing this post way in advance, shortly after Tift Merritt’s new album (See You On the Moon) was released. I’ve been listening to it on repeat and rediscovering exactly why and how much I love this woman. She is a brilliant writer and performer and one of the most sensitive and intelligent artists I follow.

Merritt is a real Renaissance woman. In addition to writing all of her music and lyrics and playing guitar, piano, harmonica, tambourine, you name it, she has displayed her photography in a museum exhibit and hosts a public radio interview show where she interviews favorite actors, writers and musicians about their inspirations.

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Song of the Day #434: ‘Broken’ – Tift Merritt

merrittTift Merritt is the only artist in my collection who I’ve actually spoken to in person. At least I think so… and I guess if I met somebody famous and it made so little an impression on me that I can’t remember it anymore, it probably shouldn’t count anyway. But I certainly remember my encounter with Merritt, brief and innocuous as it was.

That momentary proximity to her is no doubt the biggest reason I find her so sexy. It makes her real in a way no other woman in my collection is real… and real is sexy. It also has a lot to do with the energy she brings to live performances and even more to do with her voice. She really is the total package in terms of songwriting chops, vocals and stage presence. I have no idea why she isn’t a big star.

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Song of the Day #122: ‘Hopes Too High’ – Tift Merritt

tiftliveOK, so this blog is in danger of turning into a Tift Merritt Appreciation Web site, fine. Believe me, there are far worse things it could be.

I couldn’t resist going back to the well where I found the first of these record store clips and highlighting another great performance by Merritt from the same show as the last one.

Of all the videos I’m posting this week, this Tift Merritt show is the one I most wish I’d attended. And no, smart alecks, it’s not because she’s one of my Celebrity Girlfriends. I mean, I wouldn’t want to see Jennifer Garner or Connie Britton trying something like this.

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