"When I picked up McCall Erickson's album at one of her concerts, I thought it would be just another folk album. Usually, I find folk and easy listening albums the kind of album that helps me fall asleep. However, McCall's Beautiful Place demonstrates her wonderful guitar playing and fantastic voice. Every track has songs with beautiful imagery and delicate melodies.Tracks to take notice of are "Beautiful Place," "It's Alright," and "I'm Your Lullaby." Her recordings capture the spirit of her live show beautifully. Rather than throwing ambient noises and additional instruments all over the album, McCall chose to keep the album as close to her genuine sound as possible. At times, she supplies her own backing vocals, and after reading her note about keeping the album simple, I was a little disappointed, but I very quickly fell in love with every track. Be careful, though: McCall will leave you wanting so much more! At least while you're waiting for the next album, you can enjoy these tracks about the brighter side of life! This is a must have album that will cheer you up on those dark rainy days!" --Ben Davis

"This is currently one of my favorite CD's. I love how raw the music is. McCall's not only amazingly talented, but she has a BEAUTIFUL soul that can be heard in every track of this CD."--Tamara Cobb

"This album puts me in a reflective and inspired kind of place. Sometimes I will listen to it from start to finish, and other times I will skip over songs to get to the one that I've been singing to myself all day. My favorites are Roots, Beautiful Place and Watch the Moon. The later is described by McCall as "whimsical", but I find it to be one of the most profound songs on the album...its one of those songs that gives me goosebumps and sometimes makes me tear up a bit because of its simultaneous beauty and sadness. I would recommend this album to anyone who craves that feeling of "I've been there too and I'm glad someone else relates to how I feel". Simply beautiful." --Carrie Villarruel

"Poetic! Inspiring! Spectacular! This album has become one of my all-time favorites. I don't leave home without it. McCall's lyrics are captivating, creative, and refreshing. I cannot wait for the next album." --John "JC" Carrillo

Roots
I had just finished the recording and the line-up of all the songs for this album when I gave it to my friend and colleague, Danielle Vaughn, to get her opinion. She said she felt the CD needed another song to start it out--something similar to the message of Birdwings, track 10. That was not the feedback I wanted to hear at the time. I was ready for the CD to be done! But I knew in my gut she was right. I sat down that night and prayed desperately to the Gods of Song to reveal the song to me. “Roots” came pouring out. Inspired by Rumi's poem “Birdwings,” this song gives glimpses into my inner life during the past 2 years and beautifully encompasses the message of this album.

Beautiful Place
When I experienced a profound loss in my life 2 years ago, I was shaken to the core. I felt isolated, hopeless, and desperate for healing. At a moment when it came down to sink or swim for me, I shouted “swim!” And this song came pouring out. It's kind of a fake-it-until-you-make message on my part.

When I'm Small
This song came to me suddenly and surely, like every bone in my body knew what it felt like to be made inferior and small by someone I loved. People close to me heard this song and immediately got worried, thinking they were the ones I was singing about. During a conversation with my mom, after already convincing her that the song isn't about her, she made a profound insight saying, “I think we all do that with each other at some point. Because of our own insecurities, we need to keep other people small.”

Things That Aren't Mine
Sometimes I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. As if I'm powerful enough for such a task! This song explores giving up the things that take up my time, things I carry that aren't mine.

Watch the Moon
A whimsical song about loving, growing, and ending up in places you never though you'd be.

It's Alright
Stolen cars, waitressing woes, relationship dysfunctions. . . It's alright??

Save Some for Later
A song about falling in love and making it last. Inspired by my favorite childhood candy—Now and Laters.

I'm Your Lullaby
I have a void inside of me, and I'm tempted to fill it with people, places, and things outside of me. This song is a lullaby to fill that void—a lullaby from and to myself.

Time to Shine
Everything I wanted to say but never did while I was sitting by the bedside of my older sister who was in a coma.

Birdwings
Rumi's poem “Birdwings” put to music. When I read this poem for the first time, I knew it was going to be an integral part of this album by the words “your deepest presence is in every contracting and expanding/the two as beautifully balanced as birdwings.”