Maurice Hope – September 21, 2016 at 11:58AM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Where do I start? Singer-songwriters Chris While (guitar, piano, percussion) and Julie Matthews (guitar, piano, keyboards, mandolin) have been performing as a musical duo for 22 years, and this is their tenth studio album. They have picked up much acclaim in the folk and Americana country community during this time. I recall Nashville’s Kathy Chiavola recording While’s work (see her album From Where I Stand, she was in good company alongside songs from Cindy Walker, Peter Rowan, Billy Sherrill, Kate Wolf and Claire Lynch emong others).
Classy rich harmony vocals and quality of writing, fine production and lead vocals are prominent throughout. While and Matthews haven’t only put to excellent use the experience garnered through performing together and association with others of their field; some of whom are from the other side of the pond and as far away as Australia but built on a platform established earlier and grown from there.
On a couple of occasions I would not hesitate to suggest their music is on par with fellow artists Mary Chapin Carpenter, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Joni Mitchell and Janis Ian at their respective best!
“The Skin That I’m In” opens the record in stunning fashion. The warmth of the harmony vocals, Matthews’ lead and deft, understated accompaniment fronted by the fiddles of Danny Hart is exquisite. Other players on the album adding to the girls’ own efforts you have a truly fine bunch in Neil Marshall, Neil Fairclough, Ken Nicol, Elizabeth Frencham and Johnny Heyes plus the harmony vocals of Kellie While and Christine Collister. A good many aspiring acts could well learn from the production of the record, and manner in which the musicians do what is required and no more. The sound has to be one of the best of the genre I’ve heard recently as While and Matthews surpass themselves on Shoulder To Shoulder.
While a couple of tracks are a little mellow and slow burners this could not be said of the staggering beauty of the simple, and though sad ballad, “Pinjarra’s Dreams” concerning the fate of two sisters seen off to Australia. Separated on landing with one sister too young to recall how life had been in England and with While’s lead vocal so commanding it has the listener hang on to every word. “Tree Of life” is a simple, stripped down number. For great entertainment While’s co-write, one of three with country singer Charlie Dore “Nothing Yanks My Chain (Like You Do)” pops and crackles to the sound of fiddles, country electric guitar, piano and shuffling rhythm to aid more beautiful singing from her. “Slim To Nil” is a beautiful long distant love song expertly performed by Matthew. That’s near as good as anything of the album, such its poetic beauty. It is here I am tempted to direct followers of Joni Mitchell to check-out the pure sound obtained.
Matthews’ song “My Salty Dog And Me” is another that speaks of crossing the ocean, and with her handling the role of lead vocals against gentle caressing electric guitar, and just enough percussion, harmony vocals, mandolin and piano to build impressively into a heavenly crescendo the girls close Shoulder To Shoulder on a glorious high.
Maurice Hope
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