Paula Fong – A Bird On the Wing
This endeavor by L.A.-based singer-songwriter Paula Fong (vocals/acoustic guitar) was produced in California by Justin Sinclair (acoustic guitar/bass/vocals/string arrangements) with multi-instrumentalist Phil Glenn on her 11-cut debut A Bird On the Wing (Dropped Oct 2/Independent/40:25).
My first exposure to bluegrass wasn’t even a bluegrass artist – it was Elvis (“Blue Moon of Kentucky”). Through the years I navigated between the creativity of Dolly Parton, the whispery vocal beauty & fiddle playing of Alison Krauss. I guess rocker Robert Plant was listening too since he partnered up with Ms. Krauss.
Today, young artists like Paula Fong keep the fuse lit with tunes like “River Run.” But her “Up & Out” is Parton fueled. It’s incendiary, it’s wear-out-the-carpet dancing music. Fong simply understands how to pour that gasoline on a fiery number. Wisely, she falls back nicely with a sweet ballad “What Are We Running From” & therein lies the seriousness of the bluegrass thread. Serious in that the music can carry a sophisticated lyric & tender melody. But Fong’s voice is smooth as cognac. And yes, I agree she has that quality Karla Bonoff (“Wild Heart of the Young”) had with many of her songs.
Blending the serene landscape of her melodies with the smoke of “Up & Out,” Paula weaves “Marianne.” An excellent ballad that see-saws between gentleness & sizzle. The banjo picking & fiddle sawing has clarity & at the coda the vocalizing — “wonderful” isn’t a strong enough word to describe the foundation of Alison Krauss & Dolly vocalizing character. A well-recorded cut.
The minor efforts aren’t poor just typical of its cliches & are good listens that will find their audience. The playing & vocals maintain their musical sensibility & quality. “Turn! Turn! Turn!” the Pete Seeger adapted tune, however, is always a fine song but it’s out of place on this set. Rendered well, but…it doesn’t flow. Tuxedo with brown shoes. A session producer would have had the instinct to say so. Save it for a single, a bonus track on a compilation. Don’t lose the LP momentum.
“Pretty Red Bird” restores the pacing & “Goodbyes” in the Alison Krauss tradition is done quite well. Paula Fong is an outstanding vocalist. Surrounded by a highly stylized group of musicians & captured pristinely on this album.
Highlights – “River Run,” “Up & Out,” “What Are We Running From,” “Marianne,” “Pretty Red Bird,” “Lessons on Listening,” “A Bird On the Wing” & “Goodbyes.”
Musicians – Phil Glenn (fiddle/violin/piano/banjo/organ/mandolin/accordion/vocals), Drew Taubenfeld (dobro/ guitar & pedal steel/Weisenborn), Sean Watkins (vocals/guitar), Casey Lipkin (bass/vocals), Cory Tramontelli (bass), Kevin Brown (drums/percussion), John Schroeder (electric guitar), Teresa James (vocals), Ethan Sherman (guitar), Ellery Marshall (banjo), Liam Lewis (mandolin), Rita Andrade (viola), Leah Metzler (cello), Emily Laliotis, & Tashi T. (bgv), Abby Posner & Leeann Skoda (vocals).
A 12pp stitched lyric insert included. Color image courtesy of Paula’s website. CD @ Apple + https://paulafong.com/home