Swift Silver – Self-Titled
Recorded in Kentucky this duo has turned their attention on this new 9-cut LP to explore beyond the boundaries of their original genre. Spreading out to include some current events in their showcase & discover new insightful avenues of Southern rural music.
Swift Silver – Self-Titled (Drops June 4–Colonel Clay) opens with solid production & Anna Kline’s distinguished Southern pipes that paint delightfully bright tones. “Belleville Blues,” makes it probable that most songs should be made for people – not critics. But at least record something someone would want to hear more than once. Swift Silver achieves this easily with an undercurrent of swampy rhythms threaded through a fine needle of the blues. Some are slow, slinky & humid. A polished delicacy & they do it consistently.
The CD includes 8 originals & 1 cover. There’s a little spiritual touch to Ms. Kline’s voice at times but it’s the addition of John Looney’s lead guitar that keeps the contemporary thrust lit. Between Anna (lead vocals/harmony/acoustic guitar) & John (lead & acoustic guitar) their partnership is a balanced showcase of good music performed with old-fashioned tints that are not stale but flavorful.
Performance-wise Anna has the voice but what she lacks is the varying intonation, phrasing & range these songs require to get more of an exciting lift. Though a rockier band, an example vocally of what I suggest & I’m not criticizing — can be heard with the masterful Karen Lawrence & the effective notes she hits in these songs with the band 1994 (“Bring It Home,” & “Once Again,” produced by Jack Douglas & further developed with her band Blue By Nature).
A superb Swift Silver cut “Come On Home To Yourself,” with John’s fuzz-tone guitar drive is invigorating. Anna is penetrating in a Tracy Nelson style (“I Need Your Love So Bad”). Anna shines with her more rugged but essentially beautiful & assertive tone. Excellent song.
John adds a hefty Ralph Stanley/Americana-type voice on their lone cover: Carter Stanley’s (“The Fields Have Turned Brown”). It’s traditionally wonderful with haunting guitar work & performed with relevance.
Back to a Tracy Nelson style, Anna turns in a powerful country-roots “Blackbird’s Refrain.” An attractive arrangement with vintage organ/guitar brawn. There’s very little here to not like. It was produced with taste & delivered with authenticity. “We All Get Our Turn,” & the final “Ain’t Wrecked Yet,” are expressive & well-performed.
If Swift Silver is going to shift into a newer genre Swift Silver has chosen their songs wisely.
Produced by Swift Silver & Kenny Miles at Fat Baby Studios in Kentucky. The 50-minute CD is available @ https://swiftsilvermusic.com/about