Cole Quest & The City Pickers – Homegrown
Opening with a 17-second narration by the late Pete Seeger, this music unfolds with the traditionally rich vocals of Woody Guthrie’s grandson, Cole Quest, who’s releasing Homegrown (Drops July 18/Jalopy Records/35:15) the week of his grandfather’s 113th birthday. There’s enough originality in Cole’s showcase to set him apart from comparisons. Yet, the ingredients in these tracks are obvious in the opening tune “Pastures of Plenty” (Woody Guthrie & Arlo Guthrie composition) & sung by Christian Apuzzo.
The upbeat & entertaining “Where I’m From” is pulsating with a pennywhistle sound that almost makes it sound more Irish in tradition. But it’s about coming from New York City. The recording itself is recorded pristinely. This continues with Christian Apuzzo’s vocals on a John Hartford tune, “In Tall Buildings,” about being trapped in an office career. It’s comforting to hear the Woody Guthrie style being buffed & polished all these years later with younger voices for modern day consumption. The plate is filled with tasty slices of folk & bluegrass. Some are originals. Serve it up with lots of cider.
There are 12 durable tales that occupy this album, produced by Grammy-Award winner Steve Rosenthal (The Rolling Stones, Laura Nyro & Lou Reed) in Stamford, CT. The most mainstream tune comes with “I Ain’t.” A fiery harmonica drives the tune with its unified vocals slashed with some excellent banjo picking & acoustic guitar fills. Something that would’ve made Jerry Garcia smile.
With a more rollicking drive comes “Dust Bowl Children,” dusty as a prairie grocery store with sawdust on the floor & ceiling fans spinning above the patrons while kids try to dunk for a big pickle in the wooden barrel. Didn’t take much in those days to thrill a kid. This piece is well sung & foot-stomping good.
Sing-alongs were always a staple of Woody’s repertoire, so that’s represented with energy on “All Work Together.” Another entertaining, coherent melody that should be sung in grammar school when children are working on a collective project. A sure motivating melody. These are songs from an era long gone, but the lessons instilled are still viable if one would only listen. It’s not about politics; it’s about working with one another. A simple concept many have forgotten about. Or, rather, may have forgotten how to approach it.
This is a good, innocent album. No showboating, no big messages, & no lectures – just good music.
Highlights – “Pastures of Plenty,” “Where I’m From,” “In Tall Buildings,” “I Ain’t,” “Early Morning Dew,” “Dust Bowl Children,” “All Work Together,” & “My Peace.”
Musicians – Cole (resonator, pedal steel & acoustic guitars/vocals), Christian Apuzzo (vocals/acoustic guitar), Matheus Verardino (harmonica), Mike Mulhollan (banjo), Craig Akin (bass), Jack Devereux (fiddle/harmony/pennywhistle), Conrad Meissner (drums), & Wyndham Baird (organ).
Color image courtesy of the group’s Bandcamp/website. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://colequest.com/ & https://store.woodyguthrie.org/products/cole-quest-and-the-city-pickers-homegrown
Enjoy our previous review: REVIEW: Cole Quest and the City Pickers Self [En]Titled Is Bright, Stellar Performance
