Roots Music Report

Liner Notes:

About the Album

With Love is Why, Powers’ first full-length album since 2018 to be released on October 27th, the New England-based artist explores the universal emotion that is love and its huge influence on the decisions we all make in life. In particular, she examines love in the context of holding on or letting go through human loss and grieving. The album’s original songs were written during the pandemic and after Powers lost her father, whom she calls “my best friend.”

“I wrote the songs from a place of loss and grieving and went from there,” she says. “Writing the songs was hard but a necessary part of healing. At the end of the day, all the songs were written from a place of love for humanity and the need to spread the message that love is essential.”

Love is Why was recorded in February 2021 at Dagotown Recorders in Boston. Produced by drummer Marco Giovino (Robert Plant, Tom Jones, Norah Jones) and engineered by Sam Margolis. The album includes musical luminaries Bo Ramsey, slide guitar; Luther Dickinson, slide guitar; Kelvin Holly, electric guitar; Doug Lancio, electric guitar; John Putnam, electric guitar; Regina and Anne McCrary, background vocals; Brother Paul Brown, Hammond/keyboard, Marty Ballou, bass; Charles Giordano, accordion; Asa Brosius, pedal steel; and singer-songwriter Paul Thorn on duet vocals during a transcendent cover of Gregg Allman’s “Please Call Home.”

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Marco Giovino, for sharing your gift of musicianship and production, and for your friendship. To the Dream Band - The McCrary Sisters, Marty Ballou, Kelvin Holly, Bo Ramsey, Doug Lancio, Luther Dickinson, Paul Thorn, Brother Paul Brown, Charles Giordano, Asa Brosius, Sam Margolis, Gus Berry, and Tom Waltz for your time and for contributing your incredible artistry. It's an honor to have you on the album. 

FULL ALBUM CREDITS: 

Produced By - Marco Giovino; Dagotown Recorders - Boston, MA.

Engineered by - Sam Margolis

Mixed By - Gus Berry - Berrytown Studios; Portland OR.

Mastered by Tom Waltz - Waltz Mastering

All songs c. Kerripowerssongs, BMI except Wine and Spirits c. Gian Stott Caterine/SESAC/American Music Partners,

and Please Call Home, Gregg Allman Unichappell Music Inc./Elijah Blue Music, BMI, GEMA

Love Is Why

Kerri Powers - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar & Background Vocals

Doug Lancio - Electric Guitar

Bro Paul Brown - Hammond B3

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums & Tambourine

Are We Free

Kerri Powers - Vocals & Piano

Doug Lancio - Electric Guitar

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums

Morning Glory, Midnight Blue

Kerri Powers - Vocals & Slide Guitar

Bo Ramsey - Electric & Slide Guitars

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums & Percussion

Please Call Home

Kerri Powers - Vocals & Wurlitzer Elec. Piano

Paul Thorn - Vocals

Luther Dickinson - Electric Guitar & Solo

John Putnam - Electric Guitar

Bro Paul Brown - Hammond B3

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums

Presence Of The Faithful

Kerri Powers - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars

Doug Lancio - Electric Guitar

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums & Vibraphone

Rosie Blue

Kerri Powers - Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Bo Ramsey - Electric Guitar

Bro Paul Brown - Hammond B3

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums

Rummage Through My Love

Kerri Powers - Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Regina McCrary - Background Vocals

Anne McCrary - Background Vocals

Kelvin Holly - Electric Guitars

Bro Paul Brown - Hammond B3

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums

Rusted Bells

Kerri Powers - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars

Doug Lancio - Electric Guitar

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums

Someone Else’s Prayer

Kerri Powers - Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Bo Ramsey - Electric Guitar

Charlie Giordano - Accordion

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums & Organ

When It Rains

Kerri Powers - Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Doug Lancio - Electric Guitars

Bro Paul Brown - Hammond B3

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums

Wine And Spirits

Kerri Powers - Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Doug Lancio - Electric Guitar

Asa Brosius - Pedal Steel

Marty Ballou - Upright Bass

Marco Giovino - Drums