Singer-songwriter, Chris Pureka is another in a long line of Wesleyan University grads (Dar Williams and Rani Arbo, for instance) who have become prominent in the acoustic music world. Carlyn Hutchins, host of the Driftwood Folk Cafe in Plymouth and a fine performer in her own right, opens.

A native New Englander, Chris Pureka came to music at an early age, writing songs on her parents’ out-of-tune piano before the age of eight; but it wasn’t until she reached age sixteen that she discovered the guitar and began playing in earnest. Following high school, Pureka studied science in college and after graduation, she went on to become an assistant in a biology lab at Smith College. All the while Pureka’s musical ambitions were bubbling under the surface. In 2001 she released a 7-song, self-titled EP and shortly thereafter landed a three-month national tour with folk poet Alix Olson. With the release of her CD Driving North in 2004, Pureka left science behind and discovered her niche as a touring singer-songwriter. In 2006, Pureka released Dryland, and toured the country for a second time as a headlining act. The album received rave reviews and was featured on the Paste Magazine Sampler in February 2007. In mid 2007, Pureka performed on the New American Songwriter Tour, a month-long engagement addressing the contemporary manifestation of the Americana genre of the singer-songwriter, known for artists like Woody Guthrie and Joni Mitchell.

Dryland plays like the way she enters a room — with low, deliberate airs, quietly demanding respect. One stark, solo acoustic guitar builds into layered swan songs and raspy serenades that resonate with unassuming depth and candor. This indie-acoustic songstress simple, yet heartfelt and vulnerable delivery often resembles shades of female greats like Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch or Mary Gauthier. With this release Chris Pureka has taken the unfettered, heart-on-your-sleeve approach she is known for and has delved even deeper into her calling to deliver a newly promising and original collection of songs. The progression is natural, if not subtle; and the results are impressive.

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Opening act Carlyn Hutchins taught herself to play guitar at the age of 10, painstakingly picking out the melodies to her favorite tunes. Along the way she took a few lessons, always keeping that 10 year old mindset and never shying away from doing her own thing. Right after college there was a short stint with a couple of folk bands until the real world beckoned and she chose school and biotechnology. While the tragic loss of a dear friend initially inspired her songwriting, it was a chance meeting with another friend who got her back into performing. In the middle of her buddy’s new song, she broke out into some harmony. Some musicians would have shushed her for the interruption but this one smartly exclaimed, “Oh honey, you have to play with me!” Carlyn lifted her broken left hand (a soccer injury) and gently reminded her that she wasn’t going to be playing anything for a while. Her friend replied, “It ain’t gonna be broken forever,” so Carlyn used guitar playing as physical therapy and was on stage with her five weeks later. When Carlyn realized how it was also emotionally therapeutic, she stuck with it, playing more gigs and releasing her first recording in 2005. Since then there have been two more recordings and her latest, Lust Lost Love, has received rave reviews. Working full-time as a biologist, Carlyn is gathering a load of material for her next release.

Photo: Liz Linder

“[Chris Pureka] plays like she owns the instrument totally; you can hear confidence in every string squeak and strum. . . Technical talent fused with the more abstract skill of writing a good tune makes Driving North an experience for all seasons.” Performer Magazine (Driving North review by C.D. DiGuardia)

Chris Pureka quickly captivates with her skilled guitar and rapid-fire lyrics. . . The entire album puts a novel’s worth of imagery into every song. Performing Songwriter

“This is beautiful. This is the sound we humans make, whatever else we do. Music.” Peter Mulvey, Singer Songwriter

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Hutchins is a pure folk artist with a bit of a kick. She does the social protest thing very well, as evidenced in “Urban Tragedy,” a photograph of domestic violence which includes the vivid lines “I can see you watching me, loving your authority, shut down my security.” She also has the earthy, flawless female folk voice that exudes passion and honesty. But she will not be neatly categorized with the rest of folk music. She offers a contemplative instrumental (“The Look”) as well as a surprising Latin beat experiment (“I Don’t Know Why”). She may be a folkie, but she likes to travel.

The absolute standout in this collection is “Three Doors Down.” Hutchins’ voice is at its best here. Heavenly high notes and the sweetest harmonies. It’s a sad song, but I’ll take all five-plus minutes of it because Hutchins can break the listener’s heart beautifully. You’ll feel the tears, but you’ll never want it to stop. Jennifer Layton at Indie-music.com