Review Text
Pamela Means and her 'mad-guitar-and-vocal skills' (Time Out New York) have toured throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, selling tens of thousands of her seven independent releases along the way. Means's newest release, 'Precedent,' (2009) elegantly addresses a range of themes from the state of the union to the state of the heart. Curve Magazine calls her 'one of the fiercest guitar players and politically-rooted singer-songwriters in the music industry today.' A multi-talented performer, singer, songwriter, composer and producer, Means's multiple honors include being named Falcon Ridge Folk Festival's '# 1 Most Wanted New Artist,' 'Wisconsin Folk Artist of the Year,' and 'Wisconsin Female Vocalist of the Year.' Her politically-provocative acoustic album, Single Bullet Theory, was voted 2004 'Outmusic Outstanding New Recording.' Means was twice voted 'Best Acoustic Act' in her hometown of Milwaukee, WI; and after setting up shop in the bustling 'burbs of Boston, Mass., Pamela was nominated for an 'Outstanding Contemporary Folk Artist' Boston Music Award. Most recently, Pamela Means Jazz Project, Vol. 1, a seminal jazz recording, was named 'Top Ten Album of 2007' (muruch.com). From recording her first tape in the living room of Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie, Pamela has since shared the stage with artists including Ani DiFranco, Pete Seeger, Indigo Girls, Joan Baez, Neil Young, Shawn Colvin, Richie Havens, Patty Larkin, Melissa Ferrick, Violent Femmes, Television, The Radiators, Adrian Belew, Leo Kottke and Janis Ian. Means has performed at notable venues such as the Newport, Falcon Ridge and Clearwater Folk Festival(s), SXSW Music Conference and, internationally, at the eminent Woodford Folk Festival (Australia), Stockholm Pride (Sweden) and Jazz Cafe Alto (The Netherlands). Pamela Means has also composed music for independent films and contributed musically to folkpoet Alix Olson's multi-award-winning film and CD projects. With virtuosic musicianship, razor wit and a disarming sense of humor, Pamela Means has built a remarkable career thus far. Pamela has amassed a fresh, poignant, endearing body of work with alternately delicate and daring guitar riffs, smart lyrics, and a velvety voice. 'Means takes her rightful place among contemporary superstar jazz vocalists such as Cassandra Wilson and Norah Jones' (Curve Magazine). Ani DiFranco says of Pamela Means, 'you groove so deep, so deep I can't get out. And I wouldn't want to.'
