Emily Duff – The Obvious Invisible
Some female vocalists I respect most are Kathleen Edwards, Heather Nova (“London Rain” & “Heart & Shoulder”), Kris McKay (“If Ever You Need Me”), Carrie Newcomer, Linda Thompson (“Telling Me Lies”) & Eleanor McEvoy (“Only a Woman’s Heart”). Without a doubt, Emily Duff has a spot beside each of these artists because she’s cultivated her genre of country-folk-rock with an undeniable signature sound. This is exquisite work.
I don’t know, maybe it’s the molecules in my blood, the cauliflower in my musical brain, or maybe it’s the love of melody, great lyrics & moxie that ignite from my closed eyes & smile. The New York-born Ms. Duff (vocals/acoustic guitar) is a Big Apple icon in the metropolitan musical community. I’m familiar with her work, her “Razor Blade Smile” — terrific. She has lost none of her charm & this may even be a calmer showcase.
While the majority of tunes are catchy songs like “She” captivates. Produced by John Jackson (violin/mandolin/git-sitar) & recorded in Brooklyn, Emily captures themes of natural beauty & the heavy-duty simplicity of a complex life. It’s a diversified set. Twelve songs with a unique identity on The Obvious Invisible (Drops Sept 3/Independent/47:00).
The titles of the songs are fairly simple. Unlike a big box production, this is a little box wrapped in plain paper that contains — a diamond ring. For the most part, songs are stripped down but that doesn’t mean they’re bare. A good-looking naked body stripped down to the skin has beauty. It’s here in the music seamlessly. No embellishments, bombastic swipes, or showboating.
Even the title track is evocative in its psychedelic folk rendering & sitar tones. A touch of vocal treatments but not enough to pull her voice into a techno realm. The haunting guitar & deep bass are like unseen currents in a wire. Excellent interplay between the musicians. Never losing the rootsy-Americana emollients.
From a sitar-driven song to an accordion open on “Amazing Light.” Paced well. This track is sung more in a Lucinda Williams cum Patti Smith tonality, but the accordion Euro-feeling lifts the song into an optimistic splendido.
I’m familiar with & met singer-songwriter James Maddock. He lends some acoustic guitar & backing vocals & as an excellent artist himself, he always lends reliable support to many artists (Willie Nile).
This is an excellent album. One of the year’s best.
Highlights – “Dangerous,” “She Never Loved You,” “Let the Wind,” “Come On Love,” “Brief Insight,” “She,” “The Obvious Invisible,” “Amazing Light,” “Every Sweet Thing,” “Gonna Shake” & “Luck.”
Musicians – Greg Wieczorek (drums/percussion/bgv), John Lattanzi (upright bass), Benny Landa (electric guitar), Bryn Roberts (piano), Charlie Giordano (accordion/B3 organ), Danny Ray (sax/flute), Indofunk Satish (trumpet), Lenny Kaye (pedal steel guitar), Jacob Wunderlich (harmonium) & Skipp Duff (Udu).
Color image courtesy of Emily’s Bandcamp. CD @ https://emilyduff.bandcamp.com/album/the-obvious-invisible
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Emily Duff “Razor Blade Smile”
Well its Sept 5th and it’s not on Spotify… release date is wrong