Carolyn Kendrick – Each Machine
Like most personal works, varied artists’ music has a unique way of exploring journeys taken—poetically, historically & collectively. L.A.-based Carolyn Kendrick (vocals/fiddle/cuatro/piano/organ/percussion/accordion/acoustic and electric guitars) documents this particular adventure & how she’s been led to where she is today.
The 13 perceptive pieces were produced by Carolyn for Each Machine (Drops Dec 6/High Occulture/34:33) & recorded in Maine with 1 track “Cool of the Day” in CA (co-produced by Tyler Chester (acoustic guitar/pump organ/piano/synth bass/percussion). “Blood of the Ancients” was recorded in Salem, MA.
The first “The Devil’s Nine Questions” is somewhat ethereal with a Euro-feel in its undertow with chimes & accordion. The added effects are applied with brilliance because the song still maintains its Americana scent—quite an accomplishment. Most people would consider this world music in an Enya-style, or Sarah MacLachlan — but it’s not.
Pulling effectively away the first tune Carolyn sculpts a near chorale voicing on an adapted Nepalese folk song “Leela.” It’s close to spiritual in arrangement but rooted in traditional folk that’s indeed closer to world music. It’s friendly & uplifting, festive & refreshing. Did I say it was danceable? It’s danceable.
Perfectly suited for a more rural voice like Iris De Ment & her Appalachian voice is “In the Blood.” But Carolyn is wonderful at this. It has folky traditional trimmings of a hymn & she continues with the melodic “Wind & Rain.” Recorded pristinely & with lively fiddle sawing.
The LP is peppered with short dialogues between tracks from newsreels & other sources. It could’ve been a distraction, but the placement is good & not overly dramatic. There’s nothing innovative but Ms. Kendrick does present these retro-sounding numbers with lots of creativity & the album flows nicely.
“Cool of the Day” has a blend of Sandy Denny, June Tabor & Sally Oldfield that runs through the performance. Denny with her English-folky voice, Tabor with her mature deep-rooted tradition & Sally Oldfield with her penchant for folky progressive mystical applications. It’s here, with expertise – by Ms. Kendrick.
There’s little that’s deviant or dark. It isn’t like Carolyn’s mining music like Dead Can Dance (Brendan Perry & Lisa Gerrard). Though she may have intended to. Her voice is too well-suited & more poignant with a sincere spirit. “A Perfect World” however, has its ominous side though it’s sung beautifully. And there’s the catch…it’s almost like what Tom Waits said: “I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.”
Though Ms. Kenderick hardly sings about terrible things she motivates you to think about what is said. And it isn’t “she loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Highlights – “The Devil’s Nine Questions,” “Leela,” “Sumer (Sing Cuckoo),” “In the Blood,” “Wind & Rain,” “Cool of the Day” & “A Perfect World.”
Musicians – Isa Burke (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/fiddle/bass/organ) & Pele-Or Greenberg (percussion).
There’s a folded insert listening guide enclosed. Photography courtesy of Alex Steed. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.carolynkendrick.com/