Valerie Smith – Maggie’s Journal – 2 CD Set
This 2-CD set, comprised of 30-tracks produced by Donna Ulisse (harmonies) & recorded in Tennessee, is basically a musical narrative focused on the emotional story of one Margaret Attebury Brooks-McCamis – the great-grandmother of award-winning bluegrass artist Valerie Smith (vocals/spoken word). Much of Maggie’s journal documents her life, post-Civil War, living as a sharecropper’s daughter in Missouri, married to a young but violent man.
Some may say to themselves, “Why would I care about a CD with songs about a person that wasn’t famous, I never heard of & what can I come away with from this?” That’s the catch. If a listener has an imagination. A curiosity. It will grip your ears. Every soul on this earth has a story – some are made into books, movies & biographies. Some of the most intriguing & compelling tales are never told – but some, from everyday people who were never officially documented, may have left behind a personal account in diaries, journals & date books.
This is Maggie’s Journal – 2 CD Set (Dropped Jan. 1/Bell Buckle Records) & it offers insights into a single American’s history, not from a historian’s point of view, but an episode lived in with struggles of the early shaping of women’s & children’s rights, education, harassment & the enduring human spirit. Heavy at times, but if you can appreciate history, & can allow a voice from the past to narrate — this collection may be a nostalgic ticket to summon ghosts who played a role in our being here. Yes, you may have never met them – but their existence confirmed yours. Everyone has relatives, a family history, a heritage & their own Maggie Attebury Brooks-McCamis.
A poignant quote from Native American writer Linda Hogan says, “Watch & listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.” That’s heavy in a beautiful way. Valerie should now consider her next album – what would it have been if she could spend one day with Maggie? Young again, both the same age. What would they do, say to each other, knowing who the other was? I know I’d be thrilled to be with my grandparents of the same age for a day. What surprises would be revealed? Maybe grandma was a hottie back then. Maybe grandpa was a hustler. Maybe they were cooler than we could ever imagine.
The original songs, like “That Was a Long Time Ago,” are well-written ballads. Like many of the selections included. The readings cleverly link the songs in a concept album structure. “Started Wrong In This Life” is another example of Valerie’s songwriting skill. A similar approach was achieved in 2007 by the band The Cat Mary with its narrative linking the Americana songs in their “Her High, Lonesome Days,” – the title track, wonderfully rustic as this Valerie Smith album.
Valerie’s vocals are pure & articulate throughout. The instrumentation has clarity & no hokum. She seesaws between traditional styles & pop muscle (“Jealous”). I could hear the late ‘60s pop chanteuse Lesley Gore sing this into the top of the country charts.
Music knows no country, race or creed – music is the only thing that’s a good substitute for a prayer. “Warm My Feet & Cry” is such a tune. “I Never Learned To Love Him” is perfect for either Loretta Lynn or Tammy Wynette. Beautiful ballad with fine picking & violin sawing, warm & nostalgic. Valerie, of course, is superb here. This is a motherlode of fine bluegrass/country/alt-country songs.
Not all songs are happy, but intense, heart wrenching & deal with reality. “Alva’s Lullaby” is a beauty nonetheless, for any woman who has lost a child. CD #2 is far darker. Maggie comes to a crossroads in her life. Her narrative is desperate. Tom Waits once said, “I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.” Valerie Smith has achieved this with some of her compositions since Maggie’s life wasn’t one of glamour. “Jim O’Dell, Straight From Hell,” & the Ralph Stanley-like vocalizing of “What a Shame For a Girl Like Me,” is excellent.
The ambitious album is a trip. Almost cinematic in scope. You can “picture” the characters in your mind as they’re spoken about. Well written, performed & respectful of a person & her era which has long gone. Divergent lives coming together (Maggie & Valerie) to celebrate a singular life. Now that we know who Maggie is, she doesn’t need to be famous to be known by strangers. We always knew her. Or someone such as her.
Music doesn’t get much better.
Highlights – CD #1 (41:35) – “That Was a Long Time Ago,” “Started Wrong In This Life,” “Warm My Feet & Cry,” “Oh Dear Reader,” “Maggie’s Reading, Part 5 & 6,” “Jealous” & “I Never Learned To Love Him.”
CD #2 (41:02) – “Blue Bottle of Bad,” “Maggie’s Reading, Part 10,” “Alva’s Lullaby,” “Jim O’Dell, Straight From Hell,” “What a Shame For a Girl Like Me” & “A Raggie Thing Like Me.”
Musicians – Cody Kilby (mandolin/acoustic guitar), Stephen Burwell (violin), Evan Winsor (upright bass), Scott Vestal (banjo), Mike Rogers, Josie Smith, Rosa & Aaron Vestal (harmonies).
Narrative from the journal was Maggie’s own words. A 32pp stitched lyric insert is included. Photos of Valerie courtesy of her Facebook photo gallery. CD @ Amazon & https://thevaleriesmith.com/music-store
