Angela Easterling – Songs From the Knoxville Project
This collection is anchored in Appalachian folk & some historic tales threaded by just traditional instruments like mandolin, fiddle & acoustic guitars. The evocative rustic backdrop was laid down by many South Carolina musicians. There’s a vintage sound in each song that traces episodes through the era of the Civil War. No harshness, no radical insertions but simply recollections of the effect the war had on Southern roots, families & ways of life.
Produced by Brandon Turner (acoustic & Resonator guitars/electric guitar/dobro/banjo/upright bass/percussion/duet vocal/harmony) & Ian Guthrie (bass/harmony) the ambitious Angela Easterling (lead & harmony vocals) recording was captured in studios in South Carolina with 12 earthy tunes on Songs From the Knoxville Project (Dropped Sept. 25/De L’Est/41:56).
A similar undertaking of an album was tackled in 1972 by Kenny Rogers & First Edition. The double concept album “The Ballad of Calico” which tells the stories of the people of that area historically through varied singers. I liked the ambitious album, but it did little business. Each tune on “Songs From the Knoxville Project” is carefully sewn with pensive melodies, but the most stirring compositions come with “Trouble,” & “Stand” & that’s just the early tunes. They are exceptional considering there are no drums or wild electric guitar penetrations. The weight is carried by acoustic instruments & finely arranged pieces of music. There’s drama (“Look for Red”) in the duet piece that features the voice of Will Kimbrough (mandolin). The song has wonderfully fleecy picking & the production is well circuited.
“The Myth of Narcissus,” is different & features the harmony vocals of Fayssoux McLean that adds nice color to a heavy tune. The voices are pristine – not folk, not quite country or bluegrass, but somewhere in-between. The album is based on the historical account of Mary Middleton Orr detailed in the colorful 12pp stitched lyric sheet included.
A short catchy tune that is cleverly conceived, with a Bobbie Gentry sensibility & is fun is “Nolichucky River,” which features a duet with Elizabeth McCorvey who adds her banjo & fiddle. The dual vocalizing is fascinating & well done – mindful of some work done by Canada’s McGarrigle Sisters.
With a gentle ballad touch reminiscent of Alison Krauss is “Count All the Stars” performed with care, poignancy & tastefully with duet partner Darby Wilcox. Quite good too. A satisfying collection of songs done with finesse by Ms. Easterling, an exceptional singer-songwriter.
Highlights – “Trouble,” “Stand,” “Look for Red,” “The Myth of Narcissus,” “Nolichucky River,” “Count All the Stars” & “My Dream Is You.”
Musicians – Sam Kruer (upright bass), Matt Purinton (mandolin), Robert Gowan (fiddle), Harrison, Miles & Rory Turner (children’s vocals & handclaps), Admiral Radio – Becca Smith & Coty Hoover (vocals/banjo/acoustic guitar), Molly Johnson (vocal & banjo) & Audrey Neel (vocal & fiddle).
Color image courtesy of Angela’s website. CD image courtesy of Sandlin Gaither. CD @ Bandcamp & https://angelaeasterling.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: Angela Easterling “Count the Stars”