Teni Rane – Goldenrod
There are comparisons between artists that don’t always complement. It makes an accusation that an artist is copping a style & established sound of another (Terry Stafford singing like Elvis). But then there are times when a logical comparison is the ultimate compliment. The artist transcends the mere duplication & displays a similar sound with additional elements that sculpt the artist’s brilliant interpretation of another into their replication. Teni Rane isn’t a replication. What I hear on this debut by Tennessee singer-songwriter Teni Rane has many advantages.
What I hear on the first listen is a Nanci Griffith tonality, but Teni isn’t as Texas rootsy & Nanci was quite the diversified artist. Teni adds to her oeuvre a more classical cello & guitar then traverses with breathier romanticized melodic contours. The opening songs are wonderful introductions to her music – “Firefly,” & “Goldenrod,” but it’s “Passerine” that is Nanci Griffith mixed generously with Sarah MacLachlan. It works. Not as a novelty but as serious music with a critical distinction.
13 image-inducing pieces occupy Goldenrod (Drops Aug 8/Independent/44:40) produced by Teni Rane Butler (vocals/acoustic guitar/Guitalele) with Mike Stephenson & additional production by Phil Faconti (acoustic/electric/classical & baritone guitars/ukulele) & Dave Eggar (cello/piano/cello arrangements).
The recordings were performed in studios in Bristol, Virginia, Chattanooga, Tennessee & Stockholm, Sweden. Yet, the “sound” never wavers with the change in geography. The majority of songs are rooted in emotions & seasonal changes & become preoccupied with the messages through the melodies rather than any vocal showboating. Though even in a moderate way Teni achieves that with ease, elegance & delicacy.
It’s about the story in the song. “Small Steps,” has an ounce of John Prine mixed with the stylistic cream of sherry vocals of Tanita Tikaram. In a word, despite some similarities to Griffith, Teni is truly a well-seasoned original with her convincing vocal ballet aptly displayed in the deliciously articulate “Return To Dust.” A song that lingers in the brain long after the final note.
There’s no real jazz excursion here but there are suggestions – “So Beautiful,” would’ve been a great Ella Fitzgerald cover. Yet, there’s a punky quality to it at the same time. It sounds like it could’ve been written for a female singer by David Byrne (Talking Heads). This is a captivating performance.
While not as poignant as Robin Ward’s classic “Wonderful Summer,” Teni’s “Cinnamon” comes sincerely close as a heart-wrenching lovely ballad. I haven’t heard any commercially viable music in this set (a mainstream hit) — I do hear the Teni potential though. Another Carol King? Ellie Greenwich? Lucinda Williams? Teni’s pencil is sharp & her sense of melody is acute.
I like Teni Rane. A great tasty tunesmith & vocalist. Oh, yeah.
Highlights – “Firefly,” “Goldenrod,” “Passerine,” “Here To Stay,” “Small Steps,” “Return To Dust,” “So Beautiful,” “Cinnamon” & “Killing The Blues.”
Musicians – Jonathan Shumaker (bass) & Roger Gustaffson (bass/steel guitar).
Color image courtesy of Teni’s website. CD @ Bandcamp + https://tenirane.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Video Premiere: Teni Rane “Meet Me in Stockholm”
