Vi Wickam – The Thanksgiving Album
The songs in this set not only have a recipe for a seasonal appetite but also ingredients such as soul, humor & love. Colorado-based Vi Wickam (a champion fiddler) decorates his showcase with genre-bending music through swipes of bluegrass, swing, roots, & folk.
These 9 festive-based soundtrack tunes blend generously on The Thanksgiving Album (Dropped Nov 1/Wickam Music/37:48). Heartwarmingly self-produced with original tunes. Lead vocals are shared by several voices & keeping the music varied. With a voice as peculiarly charming as guitarist Leo Kottke, Vi Wickam sings the lead on the first seasonal song with inherently rustic splendor on the Celtic-oriented “Another Fine Day for Thanksgiving.”
Because not all pieces at this time have established themselves as holiday songs, the songs are enduring as stand-alone compositions. “Each New Day,” by Luke Bullam, is a warm performance. Vi has chosen well the lead vocalists for his showcase. Each has a wonderful seasonal essence in their vocals. “My Kind of November” is rendered with the vocal presence of Zee Crain & painted broadly by Vi’s fiddle. Usually, a performer releases a Christmas LP, but this is made more endearing in celebrating a holiday that’s not as often celebrated in song. Thanksgiving.
Nathan Rivera’s accordion introduces “I’m At Home,” sung by Jessie Andra Smith (Resonator guitar) with a vintage replicated old-world Leon Redbone-type C&W touch. It’s a jaunty melody that stirs up the senses like the smell of the pancakes, bacon & coffee. A sadder tune is “Welcome At the Table,” rendered strikingly by Matt Bell. It sensibly declares that even if you have nothing to bring or exchange, you’re welcome at their table. How endearing a thought. No charity, just neighborly. It’s where America should be, but we sometimes forget.
The LP is in time for Thanksgiving. It’ll go with the turkey, pineapple & beet slices & sweet potato. Pull your chair back a few inches, unbuckle that belt, it’s going to be a long, satisfying afternoon. When your stomach hits the edge of the table – stop eating. Invite someone in who’s outside…alone…and welcome them to your long table. Like Mr. Wickam has.
Highlights – “Another Fine Day for Thanksgiving,” “Each New Day,” “Sitting At the Table,” “My Kind of November,” “I’m At Home,” “Welcome At the Table,” & an instrumental “Turkey In the Straw.”
Musicians – Vi (fiddle/electric violin/guitar/lead vocal/harmony), Luke Bulla (lead vocal/guitar/fiddle), Daniel Washington (lead vocal/guitar/harmony), Joe O’Keefe (lead vocal/harmony/piano), Zee Crain (lead vocal/harmony), Matt Bell (lead vocals/electric violin), Nathan Rivera (harmony vocals/Resonator guitar/bass/piano/accordion), Dennis Ludiker (mandolin/fiddle/guitar/tenor guitar), Dave Beegle (guitar/bass/organ), Dick Gimble (bass), Cole Sipe (guitars), Max Francis (Bodhran), Andy May (harmony vocal). Christian Teele (percussion/drums), Nathan Townley (Irish flute/whistle), & Todd Howard (bass).
Color image courtesy of Vi’s Bandcamp site. CD cover photo courtesy of Christina Greissianu. CD @ https://www.vithefiddler.com/
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