Tiffany Williams & Dalton Mills – Wasted Luck
This 3-track (2 originals & one cover) EP is a pleasant rural musical parfait with distinctive vocals that manages a few melodic upbeat tunes in a vintage country tradition. It’s a shame there wasn’t more to this pair since their performance packs an expressive punch. But I’m sure there will be as this is such a satisfying showcase.
Tiffany Williams has a sweet vocal timbre that outshines her partner by a hair on a song like “Worst of Both Worlds,” where she has a genuine Iris DeMent tone & character. The song itself is written quite well in a John Prine manner. Yet, Tiffany becomes more of herself with their poignant “I Remember You,” – a reflection on a long-ago love, lost but not forgotten (we’ve all been there). Her partner Dalton Mills (vocals/acoustic guitar) sings in a more refined & folky style & together they’re as memorable as Richard & Mimi Farina back in the 60s. Beautiful stuff.
Produced by J. Tom Hnatow (bass/acoustic guitar/dobro/electric guitar/pedal steel/keys) Wasted Luck (Drops Aug 2/Independent/10:12) pairs two Kentucky natives now living & working out of two different cities in Tennessee.
The third & final track maintains their country groove & the duo asserts itself well since they’re not embedded in a twangy vocal element or commercialized country attempt. It’s primarily laid back but the instrumentation shines throughout. However, there are only 3 tunes & not one is wasted as the title suggests. These are all strong tosses on the dice board.
“Gold Watch and Chain” is an A.P. Carter (the Carter Family) song written in 1933 & has been often covered. But despite its origins, it’s given yet another modern do-over by a capable duo & it plays like a new composition. Watch for an album – luck is on their side.
Musicians – Aaron Smith (drums/percussion/mandolin/fiddle).
Color image of Tiffany courtesy of Danielle Shields. The B&W image of Dalton is courtesy of Dalton Mills Music. CD @ https://tiffanymwilliams.com/about
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Tiffany Williams “All Those Days of Drinking Dust”