Devotional, inspirational. Ramshackle. Authentic. Ghosts of the Carter Family lost down Nassau docks: not just in the basketful of religious standards – hokey in any other hands – but also in the yearning vocals of Geneva and Edith Pinder. Above it all the creaky, percussive guitar and growling counterpoint vocals of Joseph Spence. Like a grinning Lord of Misrule serenading and serenaded by the testifying singers. When he sings Living On the Hallelujah Side it’s willfully undercut by his picaresque playing and devil may care guitar antics.
This album is a mixture of backyard Bahamas recording and live concert from New York. A follow up of sorts to influential The Real Bahamas [Nonesuch Records].
I bid you goodnight
2 comments:
Loose almost to the point of ramshackle. But in a good way. Newcomers will no find themselves surprised at how familar it all sounds. Warning to John Renbourn fans - you may find youselves pertubed to realise the extent to which he's lifted Spence's style whilst Ry Cooder fans will finally discover why he frequently adopts that strange cod-bahamian accent - much of Cooder's output transcending mere referencing to full blown homage. Try it. You'll like it.
Thanks for your comments. You can also hear major influence in picking style of Robin Williamson circa 65-68. Little surprise he finally settled on the harp.
Apparently Joe Boyd slipped his young duo an early copy of The Real Bahamas. Hence, Heron's lift on Very Cellular.
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