There seems to be a resurgence of singer/songwriters in music today. Artists like Rufus Wainwright and Ryan Adams have introduced many willing audiences to this splendid genre of poetic musicians. These artists rely on the strength of both lyric and melody without the aid of theatrics and light shows. In a world of instant gratification, this pure dose of sound and art is tincture for the soul. Jeffrey Harrison has crafted a fine record with Venus Sessions. The albums first cut; "Down from the Moon" sounds like an indie track straight off WFUV's playlist (the publicly supported station in NYC that helped break artists such as John Mayer and Norah Jones). Here Harrison sounds like a mixture of early Neil Young and the Thorns. "Gwendolyn" showcases the artists' melodic abilities, and it's easy to imagine this song as a backdrop to an emotional scene in a hot television series (Brothers and Sisters perhaps). Harrison brings the energy up on "Venus of Astoria." He nails a hooky chorus and combines his rock roots with pop sensibilities. Venus Sessions is worth a listen for certain. If Jeffrey Harrison has his publishing together, there is little doubt you'll be hearing his songs somewhere soon. MM