Technically,
Cicero Buck is an English duo; but that’s only because England is where Kris
Wilkinson and Joe Hughes reside nowadays. Sonically, “Delicate Shades of Grey”
sounds more like it came from Atlantis. It’s a near-perfect melding of classy
old-world folk atmosphere with American college-radio guitar-pop, circa 1985.
When Wilkinson’s voice locks in with Hughes’ Byrdsy guitar lead on “Weather,”
you’d almost swear Sandy Denny was sitting in with Let’s Active. Cicero Buck
comes by the combination honestly. Louisiana native Wilkinson first gained note
in the late ’80s with Perfect Strangers before gravitating to Nashville, where
she hooked up with British band veteran Hughes. Together, they make understated
music that nevertheless gets your attention — think Innocence Mission, or Gregson
& Collister. Groups like this tend to go only as far as their singers will take
them, and Wilkinson’s voice has the potential for that to be very far indeed.
The arrangements on “Delicate Shades of Grey” are as stark and spare as the
album’s monochromatic cover art, putting Wilkinson’s bell-clear voice right
in front. She can soar, she can murmur and she can probably yell, too — but
she doesn’t have to. A lovely, lovely record.
- No Depression Review, January/February 2003
Anglo-American
duo Cicero Buck's folksy stylings are unearthed on Delicate Shades of Grey (Super
Tiny) * * * , ex-the Lover Speaks member Joe Hughes' timeless pop sensibilities
underpinning singer Kris Wilkinson's crystalline glide, redolent of Sandy Denny,
Linda Thompson or even Kim Richey - Uncut, Nov 02
I
suppose the immediate impact comes from singer/songwriter Kris Wilkinson. it
is her voice and depth of interpretation that hits the listener right between
the eyes. First impressions, however, are deceptive, because Cicero Buck's music
is built on the twin foundations of Wilkinson and bassist and fellow songwriter
Joe Hughes. Together they make a formidable pairing.
The lifeblood of this style of Americana/Alt Country is the writing. Everything
flows from the quality of lyrics and melody. By the very nature of the music
the pair have taken away the 'disquises' available from a studio. None of the
tracks on Delicate Shades of Grey are ever 'swamped' by trickery, the production
is simple. Quality courses through the veins of this album and at the heart
of it all is Fencepost, a most unappealing title that leads to a song full of
feeling, superbly written and played.
A lot of the credit for the success of Delicate Shades of Grey belongs to the
producers. When you look beyond the initial pluses of Wilkinson and Hughes as
talented musicians there is a world of wonderful things. The string arrangement
on Beautiful Daydreamer is just one of the little cameo pieces crafted with
loving care. Who are these sensitive and caring producers? None other than Cicero
Buck.
- The Berwick Advertiser, August 8, 2002
