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Jen Chapin - Open Wide (Purple Chair Music 2002)

By Elizabeth Nitz

   Jen Chapin's release, Open Wide, leaves little to the imagination. She sings alone, with no harmony, layering or other embellishment. She is joined by the rich, varying tones of an upright bass played by Stephan Crump, and nothing more. Her soprano voice comes through clear and unchallenged.
   The title track, "Open Wide," starts with a slow, funky bass line and her voice plays over the top, getting louder and softer with the strings. Her lyrics tell poetic stories. Her style is difficult to categorize, but Jess Klein's voice and soaring melodies comes to mind.
   Do not think the lack of instrumentation compromises the variety of Jen's songwriting. "Way" is a fun, clever blues number with Stephan slapping the bass. "Portrait" is a slow, sad ballad with the bass portraying an amazing amount of emotion.
   "Don't Miss You" is sung as a nursery rhyme, the catchy melody accompanied by the flowing undercurrent of the upright. The rhythm appears more in her voice as she sings, "we have our little rituals, we have our subtle signs; our dances round the lack of you, each of which combines…"
   Minimal. Beautiful. For more information, see www.jenchapin.com