Wild Mountain Mystics – Fire & Honey
This is the duo’s debut, where, according to their press, Appalachia meets Woodstock – that’s a cool concept. A blending of folk, some blues & harmonies. The songs are optimistic. 10 delightful original tunes (1 written by some guys named Lennon & McCartney) herein produced by Ed Tree (bass/electric guitars) & the Wild Mountain Mystics recorded at The Treehouse in San Gabriel, CA.
It’s a culmination of over 10 years of musical partnership that shapes Fire & Honey (Drops Aug 1/Blackbird Record Label/38:58) from Rick Deering (vocals/guitars/bass/drums/percussion) & Lisa Miller (vocals/mandolin/keys/banjo/”pipes”/electric sitar).
While the performances are nothing that absolutely hasn’t been heard before, they do present themselves with musical richness, which is rare. This is a refreshing pairing. Few artists today outside of Americana & roots music record with this type of soothing charm & engaging latitude. The title track “Fire & Honey” is in a light Fairport Convention/Pentangle style. It maintains its American melodic style rather than an old-English tradition. This particular tune is led by Rick’s voice, but Lisa’s backup is spirited. The acoustic guitars — pristine.
Falling back to a more rural upbeat mode is “If You Can Bluff,” where instead of playing in an old style, the duo keeps it rooted in clarity. What’s amazing is some are performed with a thin group of musicians – yet the showcase sparkles musically, with full sound & energy. These are the types of songs that maintained the careers of bands like the Oyster Band, Spirit of the West, Decameron & the Bo Deans.
Some songs by Rick are surprisingly rooted vocally in the medieval folk prevalent in the eccentric English band with Eddie Baird — Amazing Blondell from their “Inspiration” album (“Sitting By the Window,” “On a Night Like This”). Wild Mountain Mystics aren’t as antiquated as Blondel, but the voice has that cultivation at times. “Love Is the Law” — not a cover of the classic Suburbs song of the same title has a good vocal contrast between Rick & Lisa. Excellent instrumentation shared by the two & a superb lead guitar at the end by Mr. Deering.
Lisa shines on “Take My Love Forever” with her near-deep June Tabor/Christine Collister/Linda McRae tone. Impressive. The Beatles’ dated hit “All You Need Is Love” is revived & suddenly becomes less silly & more resolute (the mandolin certainly was an update). Look forward to album #2.
Highlights – “Fire & Honey,” “If You Can Bluff,” “Love Takes Over the Night,” “Hangin’ On a Star,” “Love Is the Law,” “Take My Love Forever,” “All You Need Is Love,” & “May We All Meet Again.”
Musicians – Chad Watson (bass), Debbie Dobkin (percussion/drums), Marty Axelrod (keyboards/”sitar”/vocals), Jime Van Booven (bass), Severin Browne, John Stowers & Raspin Stuwart, Chauncy Bowers, Deborah Presley Brando, Corinna Carter, Lisa Johnson, Coddy Nuckols, Pat Quinn, Dolly Ramirez, & J.J. Schoch (chorus vocals).
CD photo courtesy of Nikola Simikic. CD @ Amazon & Amazon + https://wildmountainmystics.com/
Song Premiere: Wild Mountain Mystics “All You Need Is Love”
