Tim O’Brien & Jan Fabricius – Paper Flowers
From the start, the recording boasts pristine sound, & the voice mix of Grammy-winner Tim O’Brien, who teams with his wife Jan Fabricius (vocal/mandolin), displays a homegrown-sounding collection. Their picking is excellent. The opener “Atchison” is a historical overview of the place, playfully played & enthusiastic. The kind of song the late John Hartford would have sunk his fiddling or banjo fingers into.
Tim sings lead on this. What sells this? They sound genuine & woodsy – there’s little here that’s urban, including the wonderful little piano parts on “Fat Pile of Puppies.” A title that reeks of novelty, but no, no, no. It’s a good rural song with some serious playing & singing. That’s what creativity offers when used wisely.
Produced by veteran musician Tim O’Brien (vocal/acoustic & electric guitars/bouzouki/fiddle) & recorded in studios in Nashville, the 15 colorful musical Paper Flowers (Drops June 6/Howdy Skies Records/48:11) are all well-conceived in equal parts of happiness & sadness. I like Tim’s tonality in his vocals. Powerfully emotive without any corniness or twang – just smooth whiskey backwoods textures. You can understand every word he sings, & he adds an undefinable quality to each composition, with Jan adding the sweetness.
The third track features the angelic voice of Jan (accompanied by Tim) in a good duet piece on “Hungry Heart.” Another assimilation of good Americana-roots music. A story song that borders on a lullaby. Music like this could be folk or country, but what it is…is good American storytelling.
Then along comes “Black Rag Map” pumped up with wonderful picking framed, with dynamic upright piano (Mike Rojas – Hammond organ/Wurlitzer/accordion) channeling the energy through the wood. Closer to a commercial-mainstream attempt is Jan’s little rocker “Down To Burn” that fizzles like a cold carbonated drink. Mid-through a chorus of female singers comes a fine ‘60s girl-group groovyness. This tune will stick like melted gum on your shoe on a hot summer street.
Tim’s turn at a commercial tune comes with “Back To Eden,” that’s framed in Jan’s mandolin & coasts along quite well. Good arrangement with a bristling rhythm. “Yellow Hat” is also one of the best. “Covenant” is a two-tissue song. Beautifully rendered.
Folk legend Tom Paxton co-wrote 12 of the 15 songs with Tim. Indicated in the 6-page fold-out insert with song explanations. Print the lyrics next time…they’re that good.
Highlights – “Atchison,” “Fat Pile of Puppies,” “Hungry Heart,” “Paper Flowers,” “Black Rag Map,” “Down To Burn,” “Yellow Hat,” “Father of the Bride,” “Covenant,” & “Here With Me.”
Musicians – Shad Cobb (fiddle/vocal), Mike Bubb & Dennis Crouch (bass), Justin Moses (resophonic & acoustic guitars), Larry Atamanuik (drums), Ray Bonneville (harmonica), Edgar Meyer (arco bass), The Karens: Phoebe Hunt, Odessa Settles, Bonnie Sims & Melody Walker (bgv).
Photo courtesy of Scott Simontacchi. CD @ Apple & Amazon + https://timobrien.net/music-cd/paper-flowers-cd
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Key to the Highway: Tim O’Brien
