Phoebe White – Cowgirl’s Delight
I didn’t expect this to be as entertaining as it is because of the fanfare about a black female singer being a country singer. But there have been black singers who have sung country admirably for decades. Charlie Pride was one. Alright, he wasn’t a woman. But there have been.
There was Martell from 1970, who played the Grand Ole Opry & Mickey Guyton from Texas. Yola from England & North Carolina’s Rhiannon Giddens. Valerie June from Memphis & Canada’s Kaia Kater. Minnesota’s Tammi Savoy & even the late Tina Turner, who recorded a country LP & others. Beyonce was not the first.
But without fanfare is a Grand Ole Opry singer from the foothills of Appalachia — Phoebe White (vocals/guitar/acoustic guitar). She sings, yodels & does it with finesse — “Ride Along With Me,” (with Suzy Boggus), “I’d Rather Be a Cowgirl,” “Swingin’ In the Saddle” & “The Phoebe Yodel” — all loaded with vintage musical swipes with expertise, gusto & sincerity.
If curious & you should be, there are 10 sweet, surprising Phoebe White vocals bestowed upon Cowgirl’s Delight (Drops Sept 12/PoetMan Records/29:05) produced/arranged in Kentucky by Michael Jonathon (banjo/guitar/acoustic guitars). Nothing hokey-pokey. There’s even a country spiritual “Joyful, Joyful” that’s lovely. Phoebe’s work is shaped by emotional creativity, not a simple nod to musical tradition.
Phoebe keeps the seasoning rich with her poignant cover of Janis Ian’s “Color of Me,” which is equally strong. She reaches for some notes, though I think she does it for effect. It adds to the tune’s juvenile charm & message. After all, Ms. White’s only 14 years old. Ha! I wanted to hold that back but it’s such a hoot to admit it since she’s a genuine C&W singer & has all the authenticity required.
Yesteryear’s Lee Morse is a singer who effectively used yodeling in her 1930 repertoire. This is evident in her musical video “A Million Me’s,” (on YouTube) where she added it creatively to “When a Woman Gets the Blues.”
Phoebe likewise succeeds in celebrating the spirit of America through its rural & western heritage. I think we’re going to hear a lot from Phoebe. She sounds determined to sustain the genre folklore & culture of C&W. And she just might do it sooner than later.
Highlights – “Ride Along With Me,” “I’d Rather Be a Cowgirl,” “Swingin’ In the Saddle,” “Joyful, Joyful,” “Color of Me,” “Cowgirl’s Delight” & “The Phoebe Yodel.”
Musicians – Ranger Doug (guitar), Too Slim (bass), Woody Paul (violin), Joey the Cowpoka King (accordion). The McLain Family Band (vocals) featuring Raymond McLain (guitar/fiddle/mandolin), Ruth McLain (bass), Al White (guitar/mandolin), Alice White (mandolin) & Dexter Lewis (banjo) with Mike Stevens (harp), Bailey Yates (violins),
Portrait image via YouTube. Band image from Phoebe’s CD & cover image by Jina LaFary. CD @ https://www.singphoebesing.com/