Amy Helm — What The Flood Leaves Behind
Soul bleeds out of Helm’s latest release. Not the soul that came out of Stax but the soul Etta James and Aretha Franklin brought us. Though, there is a touch of funk if you listen real hard.
It is Helm’s vocals that are powerful, soulful, and wide ranging that are the standout in this her latest release and are autobiographical in nature.
The CD is well laid out as a tri-fold with amazing cover photography, and standard song lyrics and liner notes.
Standout tracks are “Verse 23,” “Breathing,” “Are We Running Out of Love,” “Wait For The Rain,” (which is a 5 star) and “Renegade Heart.”
“Verse 23” is a plea for love, and contains the lyrical inspiration for the title. “Wait For the Rain” blends suspense with a glorious build-up. “Are We Running Out of Love” adds a little twang and vulnerability to the mix.
It is never easy to be the child of a famous artist (Levon Helm) with all the expectations and follow in their footsteps. However, with this release of Helm’s, she has matured and is not following, she is leading, on her own pathway to musical success and recognition.
What The Flood Leaves Behind can be found at: Amazon and http://www.amyhelm.com/
The 10 track album with a running time of 33 minutes and 31 seconds produced by Josh Kaufman, recorded at Levon Helm Studios, and issued by Renew Records and is a wonderful presentation of mostly original material by Helm whose contributions include vocals, mandolin, piano, drums, harmony vocals and whistling and her extensive and talented backup band of Josh Kaufman on piano, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass, drums, organ, electric guitar, tambourine, harmony vocals; Wurlitzer electric piano, harmonium, and percussion; Phil Cook on piano, organ, harmonica, and harmony vocals; Michael Libramento on bass, drums, organ, congas, harmony vocals, and tambourine; Tony mason on drums and percussion; Daniel Littleton on electric guitar; Stuart Bogie on tenor saxophone; Jordan Mclean on trumpet; and Lee Collins on tambourine and congas.
Track listings are:
“Verse 23”
“Breathing”
“Cotton And The Cane”
“Are We Running Out of Love”
“Carry It Alone”
“Wait For The Rain”
“Sweet Mama”
“Calling Home”
“Terminal B”
“Renegade Heart”
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