'Tift Merritt' History:
AboutAfter the stunning success of her assured debut Bramble Rose and the acclaimed tour that followed, Tift Merritt didn't give herself a chance to rest much. The North Carolina-bred songwriter went right to work, taking advantage of the widespread acceptance she enjoyed for the album and putting to use a few lessons she learned along the way in what was an eye-opening process. "This record evolved naturally out of touring Bramble Rose, because I wanted the shows to go to more exciting places. I was listening to a lot of Aretha and Van Morrison, and I really wanted to put honest songs in an intense, highly charged setting--a kind of rock-soul throw down." With her sights set, the North Carolina songwriter reached into her hat and pulled out Tambourine, the kind of breakthrough recording virtually no one familiar with Tift's earlier material will expect. Where Bramble Rose was a tasteful, slow-burning mix of brittle sweetness and delicate candor, Tambourine is a blow-out of gritty defiance and therapeutic honesty, a sexy, energetic roots rock record with healthy doses of Muscle Shoals soul and hints of country. "I think music is about the pursuit of joy, even the sad songs," says Tift. "It feels really great to get those feelings out, and I wanted this record to reflect that celebration." |
Tift Merritt Discography:
| Release Title and date | |
 | Tambourine 2004 |
 | Bramble Rose 2002 |
 | Bramble Rose (Sampler) 2002 |
| Cat's Cradle, Carrboro (August 27, 2004) (Disc 2) | |
 | Home Is Loud |
| KCRW 2004 |
