MorningBird – Echoes In the Meadow
This is a debut work by the trio MorningBird who provide 3 traditional songs & the balance — 8 immaculately crafted originals that populate the Ryan Dermody-produced Echoes In the Meadow (Drops May 10/Independent/40:00).
They’re musicians from the Iron Range of Minnesota & right from the start their style’s a refreshingly modernized throwback to duos & groups of the 60s & early 70s that carved out the more acoustic folk-storytelling songbook. Some English groups did it (Pentangle, Curved Air, Dando Shaft, Richard & Linda Thompson) & many American ones (Richard & Mimi Farina, Seatrain & more progressively The Flock).
But this effort is quite the original. It’s an interesting listen. Even their covers are brightly performed. “Birds and Bees,” is a beautifully upbeat folk workout with lots of excellent vocalizing & accompaniment. The members comfortably add a cross-current of folk with R&R spice. Jill Burkes’ lead vocal is exemplary.
Sometimes bands doing this type of music take time to find their footing, but these musicians are accomplished & ambitious. They aren’t trying to emulate anyone – they add sterling additions to their performance to enhance the pleasure of listening to them. Each tune whets the appetite for more.
While they’re not exploring controversy or trying to be too intense with their showcase they tackle fascinating topics. “Reefer” is laid out with a darker primitive folk distillation. This tune features both a male & female vocal & it’s impressive. The instrumentation goes for atmosphere & mood over showboating.
Several songs maintain their rural countrified & expressive manner. For the most part, the staging is simple but effective. “Thunder” is performed in an Appalachian harmonic structure with a delicate balance. A lighter touch resemblance of Goose Creek Symphony. All articulated with skill.
Songs like “Cold Hart,” & “Time For Change” will recollect The Grateful Dead in their era when Donna Godchaux was one of their singers as backup & solo. “Cold Hart” is folky with an edge & with a rousing Jill Burkes execution. She has that magical confidence consistently.
Deeper in a traditional fervor comes “Dig a Hole In the Meadow (Darling Cory),” played with lots of whimsicality. Jill’s violin has flexibility & the showcase has an underpinning of a buttery rhythmic feel. Nice stuff. Relaxing, entertaining & nothing is novelty-oriented or silly. A good debut & introduction to MorningBird.
Highlights – “Birds and Bees,” “Reefer,” “Thunder,” “Dig a Hole In the Meadow (Darling Cory),” “The Wind” & “Time For Change.”
Musicians – Jill Burkes (guitar/violin/vocals), Rob Wheeler (guitar/mandolin/harmonica/vocals/stomp box), Josh Palmi (upright bass/vocals/guitar) with guests Jesse Dermody (percussion) & Ryan Dermody (bgv/percussion).
Color image courtesy of the band’s website. CD @ Bandcamp & https://morningbirdsings.com/