Tristan Israel Band – Snake Hollow
This will be an interesting set for some while being a little spare instrumentally for others. The first two songs are well-written pieces but musically not rousing. By the third, however, “House Always Wins” Tristan & his cohorts get down nicely with a raw vocal & bluesy brawn.
Tristan’s vocals have a thickly woven mature tone. What it is maybe a folk voice with a slight bluesy tang & it works for him. He doesn’t have a commanding blues growl of John Lee Hooker, or the Sonny Boy Williamson feistiness. Folk-wise he isn’t as polished as Fred Neil, or Gordon Lightfoot but has the rural-ese of a Tom Rush tradition with some faint Tim Hardin, Jon Dee Graham & even J.J. Cale. Which is peculiar. His song “Virginia” touches the edge of this style & it’s one of his best.
As the 15-track 4th LP Snake Hollow (Drops Nov 15/Independent/58:50) by Mr. Israel proceeds the songs gain momentum. “Water Over the Dam” is good. Tristan slips in his strong harmonica with gusto & spirit. The songs were recorded & produced on the island of Martha’s Vineyard (West Tisbury) by Paul Thurlow (bass/piano/keys/electric guitar/percussion/bgv).
Tristan (acoustic guitar/harmonica) doesn’t purposely try to sound like the artists cited & this is where he either has an issue or is effective. The music has substance, good acoustic guitar picking & the backup musicians/vocals assist with seasoned expertise. The Nancy Jephcote (violin/viola/cello/piano) accompaniment fills spaces without intruding. Especially good on “Gotta Believe.” A strong piece. Nancy doesn’t play in a gypsy-style like Scarlett Rivera, or as aggressive as Boston’s Patty Van Ness (Private Lightning) — but does add musical color throughout.
There’s good lyrical storytelling with splendid music. The instrumentation is proficient by a thin group of players that need a bit more enthusiasm in spots. “When I Die” has a jazzier-blues approach & played with confidence. The excellently recorded “The Crow” is narrated/sung & played with atmosphere. Tristan’s spirited vocals are distinctive but not always absorbing.
Tristan has chosen topics songwriters don’t always tackle. It gives him a creative edge. He sings about Massachusetts, Monarch butterflies, an ancient seafarer’s tool & there’s a Franz Kafka-inspired song. But none are as intense as songs about the Delta, moonshiners, riding the rails, riverboat gamblers & local color ladies. Tristan navigates with skill between folky threads, bluesy ripples & soulful pinches. Just add enthusiasm (Nancy’s violin on “Bend In the Road” has it & the vocals on “On Our Way” do too).
Take the New England slippers off & put steel-toed boots on. Add ¾ vitality, inflection & intonation & play.
Highlights – “House Always Wins,” “Virginia,” “Gotta Believe,” “Water Over the Dam,” “When I Die,” “The Crow,” “Bend In the Road” & “On Our Way.”
Musicians – Mike Israel (drums) & Phil Spillane (harmonica).
Trio image courtesy of Daniel Waters. CD @ Bandcamp + https://tristanisrael.com/
