CD: Sideshow
Artist: EmiSunshine and The Rain
Artist Website: https://theemisunshine.com/
Label: Little Blackbird Records

I was first acquainted with EmiSunshine as “Little” EmiSunshine. Emi's not so little anymore, but she has had quite a rising and durable career for one so young. But young has nothing to do with artists that have not only talent but technique, drive, and something to say. Emi is blessed with generous portions of each.

The publisher of this magazine put on a show, “Suits, Boots. & Bluegrass” at Meridian. Mississippi's Riley Center Grand Opera House a few years ago. I was given tickets to a box seat and enjoyed a great show headlined by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Emi was an opening act, but Emi stole the show. I was completely ignorant of Emi, and subsequently pleasantly surprised at her powerful performance. “She's got it,” I thought to myself then. I still think so.

October 6, 2023, will see the release of EmiSunshine's album Sideshow, featuring all original music penned by Emi in collaboration with others. Emi has a unique voice with inflections of subdued vocal power channeled into passion and conviction. Her unique, high-frequency vibrato is as tasty and refreshing as a molded Jello fruit bowl on a hot August day; her songs are as light as an April shower and as deep as a long gaze into an old soul. Sideshow has it all, and EmiSunshine is the queen of the Sideshow.

The songs are all original, though a few were previously released on previous recordings:

1. Sideshow
2. Off The Rails
3. The Boy I Never Loved
4. Scars and Wings
5. Trojan Horse
6. Gold Digger
7. What's Best For Me
8. Hibiscus
9. Ink and Paper
10. Carry Me Home
11. Pine Box
12. Little Blackbird
13. White Dress

My favorites are: “Sideshow,” “Off The Rails,” “Scars and Wings,” “Gold Digger,” “Ink and Paper,” “Carry Me Home,” “Pine Box,” and “White Dress.” That's eight favorites out of thirteen songs. My ultimate favorite is “Scars and Wings”.

Little bird, I cannot sing, And I have scars where I had wings.
Little bird I used to fly Another time another sky.

Those are some powerful lyrics delivered with a soulful presence. They'll awaken a hurt in your heart, but each awakened heart hurt brings healing.

Assisting on the CD are members of The Rain: father, Randall Hamilton; brother, John Hamilton; uncle, Bobby Hill; and singer/songwriter Fish Fisher. Others include Cruz Contreras, Justin Moses, Addie Levy, and young mandolin whiz and friend Wyatt Ellis. Emi's mother and frequent co-writer, Alisha Hamilton, is the producer. The recording quality is professional all the way through.

I want more EmiSunshine and tickets to the Sideshow.

Mississippi Chris Sharp 09/20/23