Carol Martini’s The Rose in the Boxcar

Carol Martini’s The Rose in the Boxcar

Carol Martini has been a songwriter since she was a child.  She started out with the violin, and because she is a songwriter, settled on the acoustic guitar. The Rose in the Boxcar is her fourth independent CD, which is a compilation of her original material.

Her songs are literal, non-metaphorical.  She tells it like it is in a simple, albeit charming method.  She has a folksy style, which she has developed while working in coffee houses, small clubs, book and music stores and college haunts.

Carol’s messages are clear.  In each song her point is grasped by both the very young and the very old alike.  Each of the songs on this CD could be weaved together in one long medley—each is in a similar key.  Her vocals carry the style of the old time folk artist, some of what you would expect from a lone guitarist trying to jump a train.

I enjoyed the third track “Bless the Heart.”  It has a more mature sound than the first two.  The tune tempts the listener to sing along.  The tenth track, “A Storm in the Air,” has a bluesy feel and is more along the line of what I’d expect to hear from a seasoned folk artist.  The eighteenth track, “Hobo Joe,” is my favorite.  It is reminiscent of an old style church revival meeting.  You begin to sing along and perhaps even dance.

If you purchase this CD, the fourth track, “99 Reasons,” is also worth listening to, having more of a Johnny Cash flavor, with a hint of blues and more rhythmic guitar.

Carol Martini dedicates this CD to her father.  Her lyrics are reminiscent of a little girl paying tribute by pouring out her soul in her diary.  While some of Martini’s songs are wordy and at times, a little too literal, her overall work is worth listening to.  You can find her music at www.carolmartini.net.

Lisa Trimarchi