Reviews

Effie Zilch Higher Calling

Posted by on July 18, 2026 at 11:31 am

By Brian Rock

San Francisco soulsters, Effie Zilch return with their fifth album, Higher Calling. Singer/guitarist, Evanne Barcenas and Grammy winning multi-instrumentalist and producer, Steve Wyreman deliver another master class in modern Soul. Adding elements of gospel, folk, country and blues, the duo creates life-affirming soul music brimming with joy, hope, and optimism.

“Lover Boy,” is an irresistible love song that celebrates not just a lover, but love itself. Echoing the rousing rhythms of “Rescue Me,” by Fontella Bass, the song is a multi-faceted jewel of love. Pounding drums, driving bass, soaring, sitar inspired electric guitar, and dramatic backing vocals give voice to the many shades of love. Declaring how much richer life is with love in it, Barcenas sings, “Any scheme I’m dreaming up is better with him in it.” The song is as bold and buoyant as love itself.

Barcenas addresses the difficult give and take between a mother and her teenage daughter in, “Easy.” The mellow, Laurel Canyon rhythms recall Dusty Springfield as Barcenas sings, “You’ve got to be good to your mother cuz no one loves you better.” After the battle of wills, she finally makes peace with her child following her own path, singing, “set your stare up on that mountain high and climb your own climb.” Capturing the pain of butting heads with a willful teen, the song also captures the bittersweet pain of letting go of those moments. “Salton Sea,” adds touches of gospel to sing the praises of nature. “Teardrops,” finds Barcenas adopting an “American Songbook” elegance with a jazzy take on heartbreak. “The Argo,” adds pedal steel country tones to the heartbreak theme. The duo then takes heartbreak head on, on the gritty blues of “On The Loose.” Getting ahead of the heartache this time, Barcenas sings, “love me or let me loose.”  They rediscover their optimism on the sunny, disco infused, “Under the Weather.” Turning contemplative, they ponder mortality on the folk tinged, “Where We Go.” Evoking cosmic cowboy tones, Barcenas turns her attention to her children again, on the mellow, “Higher Calling.” Recounting a visit to an art gallery, she sings, “I stumbled through the galleries to take in everything I saw. I never felt a truer higher calling, ‘cause you’re my only masterpiece.” A beautiful lullaby from mother to child, the song wraps around you like a mom’s loving hug. From love to heartbreak to raising children to letting them go; Effie Zilch encourage us to follow love’s higher calling.

effiezilch.com  |  fb  |  buy 

Brian Rock

Brian Rock

Brian was raised gypsy style, moving every other year until well after college. As friendships proved to be temporary, Brian found a constant companion in music, wearing the grooves off Beatles and Dylan albums before moving on to Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yokam. Living so often in flux, he has come to value music and lyrics of lasting quality. Not moved by trends or fashion, he is drawn to timeless lyrics and soulful rhythms. Although now settled down, Brian still expresses his gypsy spirit through his writing. He has co-written songs with musician friends he’s met along the way, including several contributions to the 2012 ICMA Album of the Year, Family Album. Brian also writes children’s books and poems, including the Children’s Book Council featured title, The Deductive Detective.
Brian Rock

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