THE SKIN ABOVE MY KNEE

Marcia Butler narrates her memoir of rising above difficult circumstances through music as she struggles to overcome her challenging family life while pursuing a career as a professional oboist. Her delivery is clear and well paced even as she recounts the pain of growing up with an abusive father and an emotionally absent mother, and later finding herself in dysfunctional relationships with the men who would come into her life. In the midst of these personal challenges, she pursues mastery of her instrument. At times, Butler's narration comes off as self-involved, but given all she has experienced, baring her soul to the listener is an act of bravery. The narration is bookended by short oboe performances, a fitting addition that provides context for the listener. S.E.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2017]