TOM WILK Singer / Songwriter ★= ★★= ★★★= ★★★★= ★★★★★= SKIP IT; MEDIOCRE; GOOD; EXCELLENT; CLASSIC

The Hello Strangers ★★★1/2 Know,” a hit for Delaney and Bonnie that was vocals; Craven steps to the forefront on the The Hello Strangers written by Britsh rocker Dave Mason, starts bittersweet “Stolen Love”; Muensch takes his IMI Records the album on a high note. “What Becomes of first lead vocal on “Pallet” as the band trans- Sisters Brechyn Chace and Larissa Chace the Brokenhearted,” Jimmy Ruffin’s finest forms the folk standard with a Western swing Smith have teamed up as the The Hello moment as a balladeer, works well as a duet, accompaniment. Strangers to record one of the top debut al- with Clay and Rawls trading verses about love Craven’s “Simple Man,” a tale of a farmer bums of 2014 with their self-titled CD. Their gone wrong. “Turn Back the Hands of Time,” down on his luck, and de Vry’s “Black Hills,” harmonies at times recall a distaff version of a hit for Tyrone Davis in 1970, may be the ul- a song about Native Americans, reveal the the Everly Brothers and a country-influenced timate song in pleading for a second chance breadth of the trio’s songwriting. 12 songs, Indigo Girls. 45 minutes.

Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne ★★★ I Line My Days Along Your Weight Important Records Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne bring a low- key intensity to I Line My Days Along Your Weight, the debut album for the husband- Over the Rhine. and-wife duo. Recorded live with minimal overdubs, the largely acoustic CD has the feel We Make It Through December” finds De- of a recording session in a living room. tweiler and Bergquist sharing vocals on a Byrne’s impressionistic poetry mixes well The Hello Strangers. timeless tale of the economic blues of Christ- with Rogers’ skills on a variety of stringed in- mas. Bergquist shines on “New Year’s Song,” struments, including guitar, lap steel guitar Both women demonstrate a knack for a torch song about the hope for better times and mandolin. strong songwriting that tells a story. The as the chronological odometer rolls over to The layered instruments symbolize the spirited “What It Takes to Break a Heart” is another year. It wraps up the satisfying album closeness of a relationship on “First Fall an up-tempo, Saturday night on the town on an optimistic note. 9 songs 37 minutes. Nights,” which includes the album’s title in song. They easily switch genres for “Ru- Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls. the lyrics. “A Racing Heart” opens with an a ined,” a country-flavored, long-gone-wrong The Stray Birds ★★★1/2 tune that could have been recorded by Patsy Best Medicine Cline. The wistful “Never Roam Again,” ele- and Clay and Rawls do it justice. Newer Yep Roc vated by Wanda Vick’s viola, has the poetic songs, such as “Road Dog” and “Hallelujah The Stray Birds combine the versatility of simplicity of early John Prine. Jim Laud- Lord,” which Clay and Rawls had a hand in The Band with the vocal prowess of Crosby, erdale contributes vocals on the haunting writing, show the album is more than an ex- “What You Don’t Know, which he co-wrote ercise in nostalgia. “Hallelujah Lord” high- with John Leventhal. lights soul music’s roots in gospel. The Rays Producer Steve Ivey keeps arrangements provide strong backing throughout, especial- uncluttered to allow the vocals to come to ly a four-piece horn section that captures that the forefront. “Conococheague” sounds like a soul music flavor. 10 songs, 37 minutes traditional British ballad with voices inter- twined like a couple embracing. “Que Sera Over The Rhine ★★★★ Sera,” a tribute to the sisters’ paternal grand- Blood Oranges in the Snow father who sang with Doris Day, is turned Great Speckled Dog Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne. into a bittersweet waltz that plays to the sis- Blood Oranges in the Snow, the third ters’ vocal strengths. 14 songs, 51 minutes album of Christmas music in 18 years by cappella introduction by Byrne as she and Ohio-based duo Over the Rhine, covers the Rogers make effective use of pauses and si- ★★★ Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls gamut of emotions felt during the holidays. The Stray Birds. lence in their music. Call it inspirational mini- Soul Brothers Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, have malism. Catfood Records crafted an intimate, acoustic recording that Stills and Nash on Best Medicine, a strong fol- “Walk With Me” is a haunting, romantic Soul Brothers is an album that pays trib- invites a listener to savor the music. low-up to their debut album of 2012. The trio ballad that features fragile guitar work by ute to the soul music that flourished from The title track is a traveling song about of Mayer de Vitry, Oliver Craven and Charlies Rogers. “Green Gold Velvet” serves as a com- the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, while also the anticipation of reuniting with family and Muensch, who all hail from the Lancaster pelling memory of childhood; Rogers and demonstrating there is still life in the genre in friends for the holidays. “Snowbirds” is a area, demonstrates a deepening musical Byrne grew up near other in Central Pennsyl- the 21st century. Longtime singers Otis Clay lighter song on those fleeing cold weather for chemistry on this rootsy collection of vania but did not meet until later in life. Set and Johnny Rawls bring a grit and energy to warmer climes. “Another Christmas” and “My acoustic music. The title track sets the tone in their current home of New York City, their performances, recalling work of such Father’s Body,” both sung by Detweiler, are for the CD with its celebration of a music “Sirens Call” is a sketch of life and death and duos as Sam and Dave and Mel and Tim. somber reflections on the holiday. The for- store as a cultural center and the promise of the desire to persevere amid the urban land- The briskly paced “Only You Know and I mer incorporates lyrics from Hark! The Her- new sounds as an emotional balm. scape. “I won’t stop till the ambulances come ald Angels Sings, while the latter connects On Best Medicine, each member of the for me,” Byrne declares “Always more Christmas past and present with a meditation band is showcased: “The Bells” is a vibrant, chances till the sirens come for me.” 10 [email protected] on the loss of a parent. Merle Haggard’s “If up-tempo selection featuring de Vry on lead songs, 38 minutes. ■

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