REVIEW: Cary Morin’s “Dockside Saints” is Intriguing and Compelling

Cary Morin – Dockside Saints  

This LP provides a curious listener with an array of musical styles that have all been polished without losing any original luster.

If you’re an aficionado of the many varied styles of Americana including Southern-gumbo in bayou doses interpreted brilliantly by a Native American. Then guitar virtuoso Cary Morin delivers generously on a hot steaming platter. A jambalaya of flavors — intriguing & compelling. Morin’s fingerstyle guitar is stylish & his warm raw-boned vocal reminiscent at times of Mark Germino (“Rank & File” LP “Fields of Man’s New Order”) is well-applied.

Out of the starting gate with the fiery “Nobody Gotta Know,” & it’s swinging accordion (Corey Ledet) & dynamic drumbeat of Brian Brignac the track has nothing but proficiency from its musicians. The arrangement & showcase will get feet moving & fever peaking.

Dockside Saints is the 12-track CD that drops Aug 7 – Independent. Produced by multi-Grammy-winning producer Tony Daigle at the infamous Dockside Studios in Louisiana. Players include Lee Allen Zeno (bass), Eric Adcock (keys), Celeste Di Iorio (harmony vocals), Keith Blair & John Fohl (electric guitar) & Beau Thomas on fiddle. Morin adds acoustic/electric guitars & pedal steel.

Cut 2 “Exception to the Rule,” is a splendid melodic ballad while “Prisoner,” begins with crystalline fingerpicking & soulful vocals. At times, the vocal inflections here are reminiscent of Ohio-legend J.D. Blackfoot (not a Native American).

Quite frankly on “Prisoner,” a style similar to Dallas, Texas’ Sam ‘the Sham’ Samudio is evident. How Sam projected on his serious solo LP with Duane Allman “Sam, Hard & Heavy.” No joke. Carey’s inflections & the way he performs with a dirty blues pulsation has amazing results. A singer into the song.

Cary is a Crow tribal member from Great Falls, Montana where he developed his distinguished styles. The majority of the tunes are upbeat, poignant (instrumental “Bare Trees”). On “Jamie Rae,” he still has that Samudio tone but now it’s enriched with a Dr. John groove. Beautiful Ledet accordion, Beau fiddle & guitar work energize the tune. Ah – the sound of instruments talking to each other. What a joy.

And it continues on the instrumental jazzy accordion-driven “Cary’s Groove,” with striking lead guitars & stomping drumbeat. Buckwheat would smile.

“Tonight,” has more sizzling fiddle work by Beau, fingerstyle guitar picking by Morin & thunderous drums by Brian. The musicians seem to make their presence known without ever intruding.

“Blue Delta Home,” – so good, Emmylou Harris should cover this with the Neville Brothers & Cary. So, if I gave stars this is an easy 5. One of the best in a good year for Americana music.

The 54-minute CD is available at Amazon. Website: https://www.carymorin.com/