Miss Tess - Sweet Talk (2012)

Miss Tess is a New York City based songwriter and performing musician, who tours regularly with her band, as "Miss Tess & The Talkbacks". In addition to Tess's tasty licks and prowess on her 1940s archtop guitar, the current lineup includes Will Graefe on guitar, Larry Cook on upright bass, and Matt Meyer on drums. Inspired by styles of vintage swing, blues, country, and early rock-n-roll Miss Tess draws comparisons to artists such as Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Peggy Lee, and Chuck Berry, but maintains a style all of her own. "She’s a musical chameleon, recalling at various moments Tom Waits’ barfly humor, the cabaret-rock of Beirut, or even the wink-wink wit of early Bette Midler." – Holly Hughes, Blog Critics.

Miss Tess’ sixth studio album, Sweet Talk, is a collection of finely crafted original material, along with one haunting cover of the Ink Spot’s 1941 hit I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire. With songs ranging from influences deeply rooted in a rich history of American music, Tess and her band project a sound that is distinctively timeless and unique. You will hear influences stemming from western swing, blues, country, and early rock ‘n’ roll, tied together with a string of pleasing melodies and top notch musicianship. Aside from Tess’ sweet-toned 1930s small body archtop guitar, she’s gathered some fine accompaniment from her touring band as well as a few special guests: Will Graefe on lead guitar, Danny Weller on upright bass, Matt Meyer on drums, Raphael McGregor on lap steel, Thomas Bryan Eaton on pedal steel, and Sam Kassirer on piano. Recorded in a small farmhouse in Maine, and produced by Zachariah Hickman (Josh Ritter), this album is the strongest showing yet from songwriter and bandleader Miss Tess.