Maurice Hope – June 6, 2016 at 01:00PM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Interesting, hugely interesting project. Singer-songwriters Steve Earle; one of the finest songwriters, performers and more to grace the country Americana scene the last 30 years is still cutting it; as for Colvin her folk pop style of music is likewise still at a creative point.
While neither act really needed a short in the arm, certainly not Earle it could be justifiably argued Colvin’s career wasn’t kicking in doors or burning up the tracks in quite the same fashion. Do they complement one another, the answer is yes they do. One huge factor in the equation being they called in a mutual friend, musician, singer-songwriter and producer, Buddy Miller (a friend, and band cohort of Colvin from way back, and of course he played with Earle the whole thing was like a family reunion on some fronts, and on others Colvin and Earle two artists with huge respect and admiration for one another get a little extra out of one another.
Material wise you have a couple or more covers thrown in, two come as a great surprise “Tobacco Road”, “Ruby Tuesday” (from John D Loudermilk and The Rolling Stones) plus you have them cover Emmylou Harris’ “Raise The Dead” and a stirring version of “You Were On My Mind” and they all work well. Though not to the degree to eclipse original or otherwise versions already implanted in my mind.
Players on the record include the aforementioned Miller (baritone guitar), guitarist Richard Bennett (who played and co-produced Earle’s famed Guitar Town album) Chris Wood (bass) and Fred Eltringham and it starts in sterling fashion with two archetypical songs of Miller and Earle in driving numbers “Come What May” and “Tell Me Moses”. The latter is a gospel plied southern affair, a ripper! One of those songs sure to get an audience pumped up to a fever and could easily be the closer on their shows.
Colvin says of the association performing live (something that started a couple of years ago with a phone call from Colvin after she’d just finished a tour with Mary Chapin Carpenter), I found I really enjoy sharing the stage with someone for the whole evening. I love being a backup musician, I love singing harmony and being the rhythm guitar player and getting to be entertained by another artist I admire.
“Tobacco Road” (1960s hit for the Nashville Teens) and “Ruby Tuesday” are up next and though both excellent, the original from The Stones, and then Melanie take a lot of beating. Easing back a gear or two they slot into “The Way That We Do” that has Earle lead the partnership into the track, mellow, a little melancholy even and bittersweet it rumbles on gently (listen out for some fine bass from the amazing Wood) and with a sweet, summer-time lilt to it “Happy & Free” is enough to put a smile and spring in your step no matter how your day might have been. Earle’s mandolin (I guess its his) has a little slide and Colvin’s voice for company. Neat.
“You Were On My Mind” is a song that dates back to me hearing it performed by Crispian St. Peters in the 1960s and like the original I like Colvin & Earle’s stab at the song. “You’re Right, I’m Wrong,” says a good deal about the respective lives of the duo, and with it given a typical restless moody energy Earle has been long the master of they channel a wonderful bluesy vibe. Harris’ “Raise The Dead” allows Colvin to be the focus of attention on lead and, with Earle playing a team role they again obtain a fine sound.
“You’re Still Gone” started its life through lyrics from Buddy’s wife, Julie and is a fitting closer as a winsome (near tranquil) feel washes over the song and has in the vocal pairing some of the finest chemistry on the record. Now, they must get out on the road, do some extensive touring and think of a follow up! And not just the bare ten songs either!
Maurice Hope
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