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Local folk group to host CD-release party
Saturday
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| By:EDWARD PEREZ,
Staff writer |
April 20,
2001 |
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Shelly
Clower-Niebuhr, left, and Debbie Garner, right, rehearse for
Saturday's CD release party as members of Plano-based Clary
Sage. John Wray/Staff
photo
| "The music of Clary
Sage just lifts your spirits," according to fan Marie Hedrick. For
those of you who don't know your essential oils - Clary Sage emits
an aromatic ardor that relaxes the mind and soothes the
body. |
"Tell Me Your Truth," the title song of Clary Sage's debut
CD, sums up the philosophy of Clary Sage. "It was one of the last
songs we recorded, it has elements of all the songs on the CD," said
member Shelly Clower Niebuhr.
Clary Sage will host a CD
release party at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Unity Center in Richardson.
Admission is free.
So what does aromatherapy have to do with
folk music? According to Niebuhr, 34, and Debbie Garner, 52, the
name just felt right.
"We didn't realize how many names were
taken; Debbie and I saw 'Clary Sage' in a book and we both knew it
was the one," said Niebuhr.
Of course, it helps that the
properties of the oil Clary Sage convey the effect of the group
Clary Sage. "We didn't intentionally choose the name because of the
meaning. But it's nice how it relates to our music," said
Niebuhr.
A self-taught guitarist, Niebuhr said she's always
harbored an insatiable need to play music.
"It's good
therapy; it helps me work through my questions," she
said.
This searching for answers, shared by Garner, spurs
Niebuhr in her writing.
"Every song starts with a question"
she said. "What are we working for? What happened to individuality?
Why do we operate around a clock?"
The party celebrates the
debut of Clary Sage and it crowns the group's efforts during the
past two years.
"We recorded the songs one at a time when we
felt they were ready to be recorded," said Garner.
Niebuhr
and Garner wish to thank Marie Hedrick for her contribution to the
recordings.
"Marie found the first studio for us," said
Niebuhr.
"They sang in my church and everyone loved their
voices, they just sounded so beautiful," said Hedrick. "I just
encouraged them to get into a studio."
Hedrick attended
Wednesday night's dress rehearsal and is looking forward to
Saturday's release party.
"Clary Sage will do something
outstanding in the area," said supporter Bill Bucher. "Shelly's
voice is utterly incredible and Debbie is so versatile I think it's
just a great combination."
In addition to the guitar, writer
and lead singer Niebuhr plays piano, dulcimer and harmonica. Garner
sings harmony vocals and plays guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo,
keyboard and a Native-American flute.
Both Niebuhr and Garner
grew up surrounded by music.
"I remember music at every
family get-together, my grand-daddy would pull out his violin and
play the sweetest music you've ever heard," said Niebuhr.
"I
grew up in Austin and Angleton in a family of musicians - my parents
sang commercials for radio and TV," said Garner.
Garner, who
minored in music at Sam Houston State University, said she interacts
with music on every level of her being.
"I'm amazed at how
music touches us - it goes beyond the notes," she said.
This
philosophy plays a big part in the overall concept of Clary Sage'
music. Glenn Moore, whose been a fan of Clary Sage from the
beginning, said the reflective nature of their music strengthens
their appeal.
"Most everything I've heard them do is original
and it comes from their inner feelings and thoughts," said Moore.
"People really respond to their music."
Clary Sage hopes
people will attend Saturday's event. CDs will be available for
purchase at the Unity Center and through Barnes & Noble special
order.
For information on Clary Sage, call 817-360-8855 or
visit its website at www.clarysagemusic.com.
Contact
staff writer Edward Perez at 972-424-4858, Ext. 1265.
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| ©Plano
Star Courier 2001 |
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