Abra Moore

Finally liberated from the bloody, ruthless claws of Clive Davis and the bottom-feeding Grammy-grinder hell of Arista and J Records, singer/songwriter Abra Moore is back with a relaxed new collection of songs called On the Way. A direct but subtly delivered outing, her guitar again takes its usual prominent place just under her reticent yet tentatively confident vocals. Muted horns often propel the genteel, breezy ’70s vibe, and the Austin, Texas-based performer’s delivery borders on the sensually playful coyness of a more reserved Maria Muldaur. It’s been a decade since she broke onto the alternative airwaves with the major-label-bankrolled “Four Leaf Clover,” but now that the founding member of Poi Dog Pondering is comfortably back in the indie world with truly enthralling songs like “Into the Sunset” and the title track, her gently mesmerizing work is on the way to even higher levels of unguarded greatness. 4 stars