Leslie Waugh – Night Bloom
With its folk-country overtones, this new album finds Leslie Waugh splashing in the delightful pop-country traditions of mid-60s country-pop artists. Diane Renay (“Navy Blue”) & Merilee Rush (“Angel of the Morning”). Her opening tune “Black Cadillac” has that kind of trajectory, though her voice is more magical, like the late pop icon Lesley Gore (“That’s The Way Boys Are”).
Even her lyrics (“Troubles On My Mind”) are pop-gold with their juvenile gravity, edgy lines & some semiotic approach to popular music that can expose other ideals that aren’t immediately apparent. Clever & interesting. This song has a retro pinch, but the theme is relatable. This playful, bouncy melody could easily be slowed down & interpreted as a blues – it has that attainability.
Lesley Gore, in her mid-60s run on the charts, sang aggressive female-asserting songs (“Judy’s Turn To Cry” “It’s My Party”) & this is what she explores her own way. “Pay Attention,” with a Lee Hazelwood-type vocal added by Mike Stinson, is planted in country soil but blossoms with pop artifice & finesse. Leslie isn’t without her serious song explorations. The superb “To Be Poor” & “Stilstown” are no light-touch pop confections. Neither is her repertoire. Her vocals are assured; the performances are sewn together with colorful threads & an upbeat facility of positive attitude even in such a sad narrative.
Produced by Pat Manske (drums/percussion/guitar/bass) with Leslie (vocals/guitar), the 10-track Night Bloom (Drops Aug 28/Smallz Records/37:21) was recorded in Dripping Springs & Houston, Texas. Ms. Waugh’s forte combines popular music with a commercial edge & more traditional musical roots. The hilarious “Let Me Be Me,” with its colorful lines, is just honest. The melody is upbeat & optimistic. What many young, low-esteem girls need is advice. It’s here. This was a style once used by Charlie Dore (“Sleep All Day”).
Not ignoring a folkier charm, Leslie adds sweet fiddle sawing to “Unbroken Thread” & offers more sound advice to young ears. But this is no children’s LP, not entirely. It’s simply songs that reduce the anxiety to solutions through clever lyrics & assurance. Leslie accomplishes here what elementary teachers hope to do in a year. She does it with no silliness & sings with a certain bravura that’s not intimidating. “I’m Your Friend” is simple, but the message is pertinent. Joni Mitchell wrote a good children’s tune decades ago, “The Circle Game,” but that was it. Leslie Waugh, with her soothing vocal tone, is a cross between Leslie Gore in toughness & kid-friendly Melanie Safka (“Brand New Key”). The occasional adult-aimed lesson “Trigger” isn’t for children. Leslie needed to address the adults in the room.
Highlights – All
Musicians – Dennis Ludiker (fiddle/mandolin/bass/harmonium/acoustic, electric & baritone guitars), Trevor Nealon (piano/B3 organ/Wurlitzer), Lloyd Maines (pedal steel/dobro), Mark “Speedy” Gonzales (trombone), Susan Elliott & Carol Burrus (bgv).
Color image courtesy of Nash Baker. CD @ Bandcamp & https://lesliewaughmusic.com/