Daphne Parker Powell “Speak No Evil”
Americana Highways is hosting this video premiere of Daphne Parker Powell’s song “Speak No Evil,” from her forthcoming album Death of Cool, which is set for release on May 22. The album was produced by platinum album artist Jimbo Mathus, and engineered and mixed by the Grammy Award-winning Mike Napolitano.
“Speak No Evil” is Daphne Parker Powell on vocals and acoustic guitar; Michael Clauss on electric bass; Banjo Bergfeld on piano and B3; Sam Colgate on drums; Alejandro ‘Alex’ Canales on alto and tenor sax; Jimbo Mathus on vocals, electric guitar, drums, and percussion; Kirk Bowie Russell on vocals, electric guitar, drums, and percussion; John Kveen on electric and upright bass; Josue Estrada on trumpet and vocals; Brent Rose on tenor and baritone sax; Charlie Halloran on trombone; Anna Laura Quinn on vocals; Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel on electric guitar; Wendell Brunious on flugelhorn; Caroline Brunious on clarinet; and Mr. Dr. Sick on violin.
The video was filmed and edited by Nicky DiNatale.
As Daphne tells us about the inspiration for the song, “I sometimes ask myself whether I remember things as they were (or as Anais would query) as I was. Was my lived experience 20% of the reality? Was it 80%? How much of it did I miss? What part of my fear, my ego, my anger, stand in the way of me seeing things clearly? How often are the people I allow closest to me going to use that to hurt me? Should I be more wary, more closed? Will the direction I walk change the way I see it, closer or further away? Are you feeling all the same things? Did it exist in us before we were born? How can we heal it, for ourselves and our kids? There is nothing to wait for, it’s already ripe.”
With the list of musicians backing this track you might assume that it was a forward moving song of celebration, but it’s not that. This is thoughtful, heady, and introspective even amidst rich electric guitar and layers of sax and fiddle. It’s a work of maturity. The song probes thoroughly into our human capacities for closeness and healing. It beckons you to follow where it’s leading, and it’s worth it to heed the call.
Find more information on her website: https://www.daphneparkerpowell.com