Maurice Hope – January 30, 2016 at 05:32AM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Artists Emily Barker, Amber Rubarth and Amy Speace have teamed up for this unexpected project, one where each writer gets to contribute songs, sing lead and on others share vocal harmonies. In the trio’s self-titled title-track “Applewood Road” the girls couldn’t have chosen a finer introduction to their work, its steady tempo and heavenly sibling-like harmony vocals are something the Secret Sisters could well have done (who have been conspicuous by their absence on the recording front) and been duly proud to have had a hand in writing such a understated beguiling gem.
Recorded simple fashion, live to stereo tapes at Nashville’s Welcome To 1979 analogue studio with only the bare essentials in the way of instrumental support from Aaron Lee Tasjan (guitar), Fats Kaplan (accordion), Telisha Williams (upright bass), Jabe Beyer (harmonica) and Josh Day (drums) the album is steeped in a rich delicate beauty, as the girls voices and playing dovetail perfectly.
Banjo playing vocalist Barker has made giant strides in recent times since she came over from Australia; as for Speace she is quite simply a class act. Her ability to form notes to tease out the emotion of a lyric coupled with her melodic tone help make her music something special. Up till now it could be argued she’s never quite gained the acclaim her work deserves, though she has been often praised in a number of quarters. Maybe there is an inconsistency with her writing?
The songwriting duties are shared with Rubarth seeing most credit, but with the use of banjo in the musical arrangements Barker isn’t far behind or the cultured Speace. Arguably Speace’s biggest impact comes via the stunningly beautiful “Give Me Love” and one written as a lullaby for her six-year old niece “Josephine”.
Folk act Rubarth (Adrianne Gonzalez, Rubarth, Garrison Starr) through “Honey Won’t You” which contains an urgent bluesy feel has her speak, excitedly of being down by the railroad tracks, and in part she mentions the mood on leaving someone as she jets off to play somewhere. She also speaks of love on the bouncy country delight “Lovin’ Eyes”, what a terrific voice (and all-round talent this girl is), it’s a crime more people myself included aren’t already familiar with her music.
Carried on a buoyant melody “Bring The Car Round” (Barker) likewise is a pretty song; as for Amy’s handling of “Row Boat” coupled with spare instrumentation it couldn’t be more wonderful. Talking ‘bout something pure and special Rabarth’s “Old Time Country Song” aided by banjo, fiddle and heavenly harmony vocals has all the hallmarks one could with for.
Just to think this collaboration was born out of them meeting at a café in East Nashville, and less than two hours later they had already written “Applewood Road”.
Maurice Hope
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