Misner & Smith – All Is Song
This is music from the fine Northern California duo who spent years piecing together the wonderful tunes on this transformative collection. They put these songs together with lots of patience & gave birth to these songs like you would children. But before they allowed these offspring (songs) to go out into the world they nourished them, made sure the clothes fit, educated them & then they prepared them to be heard.
They became the 15 children of All Is Song (Drops April 12/Scribble On the Wall/63:00) produced by Sam Misner & Megan Smith with Bruce Kaphan (pedal steel guitar/keyboards/lap steel/hand percussion/finger cymbals/string arrangements). The songs were recorded at Niagara Falls in Niles, CA.
At first listen the duo has an enticing We Five (“You Were On My Mind”) & later Curved Air type vocal perspective. I almost suggested The Rooftop Singers (“Walk Right In”), but they were far more folkier. The opening tune “Compose (2024)” is ethereal — bordering on a more progressive-folk idiom. While not as eccentric & strange as Pearls Before Swine with Tom Rapp the duo does share in his prodigious scope.
The songs never overcompensate in their presentation since the duo sings with stirring melodies & tonality (“Deep as the Water”). They project a somewhat Pentangle tradition while maintaining a Richard & Mimi Farina folk expression. The melody on this track is also compelling in a Nick Drake manner. Had Nick sang with a female vocalist it may have sounded like this.
The album is void of posturing. The duo doesn’t try to emulate anyone. They have a folky vocal style but apply a hip-inspired melody through each tune. Far more evocative than average folk music. “Threadbare,” possesses this quality in the deep bass lines, sprightly acoustic fingering & vocal interplay. Many tunes are upbeat rather than dour. While the songs are not commercial or mainstream, they have written them with an instantly catchy tease.
With “Sadie’s Song,” there’s an Everly Brothers evolution at work vocally. It’s probably just a coincidence. But that’s what my ears heard & with their lovely interludes, the duo bridges the gap between folk singing with instrumental elements of King Crimson & Amazing Blondell. That takes skill.
Highlights – “Compose (2024),” “Deep as the Winter,” “Threadbare,” “Sadie’s Song,” “Kerosene,” “Tears & Ink,” “Silence of the Sun” & “One Day (2024).”
Musicians – Sam Misner (vocals/electric & acoustic 12-string & 6-string guitars), Megan Smith (vocals/upright & electric bass/harmonium/piano/mandolin), Dillon Vado (drums/Caxixi/tambourine/congas/hand percussion/vibraphone), Skip Edwards (Hammond B3), Maeve Gilchrist (Celtic harp), Nina Gerber (acoustic & acoustic high-strung guitar), John R. Burr (keyboards), Anna Okada (violin/viola) & Edward Willett (cello).
An 8-panel lyric fold-out is included. The color image is courtesy of Misner & Smith’s website. CD @ Bandcamp & https://misnerandsmith.com/home