MUSIC arts Dynamic Duos

by Andrew Elias

Teddy Thompson & Kelly Jones The Cactus Blossoms Petra Haden You’re Dreaming Sings Jesse Harris Little Windows Goodbye Blue Clay Parker has been When I first heard these guys Seemed Like Worth The Wait I thought they were the Everly Victor & Penny &Jodi James exploring vintage country Charlotte Kendrick and Dan A Good Idea music for years; his Upfront Brothers. Everyone does. Electricity Both established artists in Rowe had been making That’s a great compliment. She is a brilliant violinist the Baton Rouge music & Down Low featured music for several years until Matthew Barber Victor & Penny and their & and an eclectic vocalist respectful and refreshing It’s not just that brothers scene for years, Parker & their first child was born. & Jill Barber Jack Torrey & Page Burkum Loose Change Orchestra Colvin & Earle (she released an a cappella James finally came together covers of classics by the likes Three kids and eight years, make music of the Kansas version of the classic early of George Jones, Ernest The Family sing harmonies that sound Veteran troubadours, Colvin in 2014 to write twelve they returned to music with so similarly natural and City swing variety. Victor Who album, The Who Sell Tubb and Merle Haggard. Canadian siblings with and Earle helped define songs in two weeks, the release of Worth the forlorn; it’s that they write and Penny are actually, Jeff Out). He is an acclaimed Just as Upfront showcased acclaimed solo careers of what would become known releasing their debut album Wait as Goodbye Blue. It songs that you can imagine Freling (former Blue Man singer and songwriter his passion for that golden their own, Matthew & Jill as ‘Americana’ music. Both a few months ago. has definitely been worth Don & Phil singing. Group member) and Erin (co-writer of Norah Jones’ musical era, with the help have finally recorded are among the most Their songs are smart the wait. ‘Stoplight Kisses,’ ‘You’re McGrane (actress best hit, ‘Don’t Know Why’). of Kelly Jones, Little together and the result is insightful poets of our times. and sincere, and they can The album opens with Dreaming,’ and ‘If I Can’t known for her role in Up in Most songs here are Windows showcases his unsurprisingly excellent. She sings with a write solemn and silly. ‘Another One on the Way,’ Win’ are as romantic as any The Air). With Erin playing written by Harris, marked by ability to write and record Although their own songs heartbreaking vulnerability Sounding somewhat like possibly the greatest song of the Everly’s gems. Even ukulele and Jeff on guitar – his clever confessional lyrics brand new songs that are strong, especially Jill’s and he sings with the & David about the small frustrations the shuffling ‘Mississippi’ and a clarinet and horns – and jazzy pop sensibility, would fit comfortably in the ‘One True Love,’ their covers urgency of a street prophet. Rawlings, Parker & James and great joys of having a and the -ish they transform into a band but it is the songs co- era that of songs by Bobby Charles The album, produced by have a similar stylistic and family and a home. The rest ‘Clown Collector are worthy with a sound infused as written with Haden, some followed, when pop music (‘I Must Be in Good Place the maestro, Buddy Miller, emotional range. of the album follows suit, of the Everlys. much with New Orleans as shortly after the death of began to mix with the Now’), Ian Tyson (Summer features six co-written ‘Come Back’ and ‘What It with songs about ‘life.’ But You’re Dreaming is not Paris. her father, the jazz icon Nashville sound. Wages’), Neil Young originals and a few choice Knows’ are achingly Kendrick’s knack for nostalgic; it’s an excellent There’s a smokey ballad Charlie Haden, that are the Original songs like ‘Better (‘Comes a ’), Leonard covers, including a beautiful pleas and ‘After enlivening life’s mundanity example of when artists (‘Overtones’) and bluesy most affecting. at Lying,’ ‘Wondering,’ I Cohen (‘The Partisan’), and remarkable version of the the Smoke Clears’ is with evocative details, as transform their inspirations romp (‘Penny’s Pounce’), as The loping ‘Either Way,’ Thought That We Said Townes Van Zandt (‘If I Stones’ ‘Ruby Tuesday.’ breathtakingly gorgeous, much as her beautiful into music that then is well as a number of gypsy- the lilting ‘Fool’s Paradise,’ Goodbye,’ You Can’t Call Needed You’) are the Other highlights are the vocals and lyrics. voice, make songs like ‘So inspirational itself, passing jazz tracks for swingin’ cats. and their original take on Me Baby,’ and ‘You Took standouts. You can never incendiary ‘You’re Right ‘Showboatin’’ is bluesy Hard Anymore,’ ‘It’s the music forward. Pete Seeger’s ‘Where Have My Future’ prove that a have too many versions of (I’m Wrong),’ the rousing vamp, ‘Meditation Blues’ is Complicated.’ and “Where With this impressive All the Flowers Gone?’ are good singer with a good Townes’ classic love song. ‘Come What May,’ and a bluegrassy vamp. Did I Go’ so touching. debut, The Cactus Blossoms standouts. song can really toy with The Barbers prove that ‘Happy and Free,’ which is The bliss of domesticity give notice that they are your emotions. Teddy great ‘Americana’ music is just good ol’ folksinging fun. has never sounded so good. worth noticing. Thompson can toy. being made north of the border.

MAY-JUNE 2016 20 www.ftmyersmagazine.com www.ftmyersmagazine.com 21 MAY-JUNE 2016