The Fisherman Three – “The Last Time”
-If you’re a sucker for a good stand-up bass (and I am), then this song is an instant “yes!” The lead vocal does a great job of carrying that narrative folk song, which tells a story that pulls the listener in right away. The line about not being able to hurry an artist “creating a masterpiece” put a smile on my face for sure. The vocal blending in the background on the chorus creates a real sense of dynamics for the track as well. It feels like folk meets jangly Americana in the best way possible. You might expect to hear a sound like this on Frenchman Street in New Orleans and I mean that as just about the highest praise you can give a folksy storytelling troubadour. This is a wonderful track and I hope you’ll listen to it… several times.
Isaac Baronikian – “South of Hastings”
-If you’re looking for an acoustic storyteller, definitely give this track a spin. There’s a real sense of energy and anticipation in this unique track. The lead vocal has a clarity to it that feels comfortable and engaging. Once the track hits the first chorus it really opens up to a sound that feels a bit more alt country, punctuating a sound that’s creates a sense of urgency. There’s something about the blending of the electric guitar and the steel guitar in the background – expertly produced, I might add – that creates a color balance and mood in the song that I really appreciate. You almost feel the song more than hearing it because of how well balanced it is. Lyrically it’s about striving so much that you just seek a rest, a moment to finally stop the challenge and just be. It’s a lot more existential than you might think and that’s a good thing.
Lucy Kitchen – “In My Corner”
-When I tell people that I listen to Americana music, this is pretty much the sound that I want them to think of. I mean, sure I enjoy Jason Isbell or Tyler Childers style Americana too, but there’s something about the haunting energy of this track that feels like Mother Maybelle herself could sit in on this set. That’s the litmus test for the sound and this song from Lucy Kitchen has that energy in spades. Is there anything more American than being in the heartland dreaming of going to California some day? There’s a real striving, a hope, an optimism that better times will come along some day. There’s a haunting sincerity in the way the banjo bounces over the other strings… and when the steel guitar enters the track I feel like I’m transported back in time. This is a fantastic piece of Americana songwriting and performance that I’m incredibly glad to have received. Thank you, Lucy.
Image courtesy: Isaac Baronikian IG
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