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And that is the rub here. Although that effort was slightly superior than the CD reviewed here. Welcome to the mountain music tradition. This CD under review, "Revival", from 1996 is my prima facie case for that last statement.I do not, honestly, know the details of this singer's background although I have heard that she is from some upscale background in California. What they all have in common is that they form part of the line of our common mountain music heritage. Before I knew that information, whether it is true or not, I would have sworn on that proverbial stack of bibles that she was from the hills and hollows of Harlan County, Kentucky or somewhere nearby. And then there are the songs of lost, like "Orphan Girl" (the first song of Ms.
well you know the rest. Welch's that I ever heard), longing and, of course, out in those lonely hills facing an inscrutable god, death. Just as the folk revivalists of the 1960's searched for roots musicians (once they knew they were still alive and kicking and waiting, just waiting, for a second chance) to emulate and then extend those musical traditions today there is a need for develop a new generation of mountain music singers. The points made there aplly here as well. *******The Carter Family, Maybelle and Sara Carter, June Carter Cash, Jean Ritchie and so on. That task has been made infinitely easier by the emergence over the past decade or so of Gilliam Welch in order to keep this mournful mountain music alive.
That gives her plenty of credibility in my circles. Stand outs here are the gruesome "Caleb Meyer" and the soulful "Miner's Refrain". The bulk of this review has also been used to review Gillian Welch's "Revival". I am sure that there are others whom I could have included without doing an injustice but I wanted to make this point. What gives her more, much more is her voice and her song selection as she goes through the mountain women's litany of troubles: not enough money, two many kids, a hard-drinking, two- fisted man who takes out his frustrations on.
She combines "old-time", "new grass" and "blues-flavor" in a modern, acoustic (except for one song) fashion that is addictive. I hope she does more work like this CD. As a matter of fact, this one grows on me the more I hear it. I bought the CD and haven't been disappointed in the least. At first, I didn't listen to this one because her other CDs had higher ratings overall in the reviews. I heard of Gillian Welch through the "O Brother" movie and soundtrack (one of the "sirens"), and began to listen to cuts off some of her CDs. But, when I decided to listen, I was immediately hooked. Gillian has a "lazy" style on this that is perfect for those moody-weather days (or any others for that fact).
She brings so many emotions with her music.The instruments are soulfinding. This amazing vocalist and musician was by far one of the best I have ever heard. A must have for anyone who appreciates heartfelt, beautiful music. I never new of Gillian Welch until I went to a concert in Berkeley,CA recently. She blew me away. Her voice is unbelievable.
There is a great profile of Welch and Rawlings in the New Yorker titled "The Ghostly Ones". Google "Gillian Welch" "New Yorker".
But I definitely hope for something like "Yearlings" on her next effort. The two work so well together. whom (if you've seen this guy, i'm sure you'll agree) is an absolute magician on the guitar. Buy this cd, it is her best. You get a collection of heartfelt, melodic, simple, and beautiful songs that range from melancholy to inspiring.
Her last cd, Soul Journey, was a departure from her previous works, and is alright. It is such a treat to see these two perform live (or on tv, like I've seen them). Gillian Welch's sophomore album, Hell Among The Yearlings, has to be her best in my best opinion. What do you get listening to a Gillian Welch recording. Welch teams up on most songs with her partner in crime, David Rawlings.
As much as I love Gillian Welch's music, I have to credit David Rawlings for giving it that extra special touch.Best tracks here include, in no special order, My Morphine, Good Til Now, Miner's Refrain, Winter's Come and Gone, and I'm Not Afraid to Die.
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