Becky Shaw – Cast Off the Lines
This album is recorded pristinely with a nod to vintage female pop-country singers, more Brenda Lee, Robin Ward, Merilee Rush & folk singer Ferron than Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn or Tammy Wynette. From the first cut “Makin’ Me Smile,” to “Simon’s Thunder Shirt,” Georgia’s Ms. Shaw has bright tonality & digs into traditional-styled country & western idioms, but when she surfaces it isn’t antiquated but fresh sounding with arrangements formulated with care & skill.
These 10 baited hooks are Cast Off the Lines (Drops Oct 9/Lucky Shawl Music/36:18) of Becky Shaw’s sophomore album produced by Rob Gal (hand claps) & Becky Shaw. There’s nothing sugary about Ms. Shaw’s repertoire. Rockier is “Hey Lady” with a slight echo element on her voice for ambiance. Narrated with sultry pronunciations, heavy breathing, much the same as the seductive chart-topping approach of The Shangri-Las “Leader of the Pack,” decades ago. The fiddle sawing is splendorous if not a bit noirish.
Becky appears attractive & learned, experienced as Joan Baez would, in the folky paths of the ‘60s but her creativity demonstrates a cooler collected woman with an arsenal of clever tunes, sophisticated lyrical lines & memorable songs (“Round & Round”). She exhibits good tone, range, & phrasing consistently as she negotiates her new songs. Her balladry can be fairly basic lyrically, but Becky (vocals/guitar/drums/cabass/organ/mandolin/harmonica/tambourine/button accordion/spoons & shaker/percussion) maintains an honestly good stretch of poignancy in each line.
It helps that she has a voice that’s loaded with sincerity. She avoids certain folksiness styles of Phranc & Holly Near but demonstrates a warmth I found in early Cris Williamson (“Last Sweet Hour”) & definitely the late Karen Carpenter. Becky’s songs are serious without getting stiff & ponderous. None of her songs are confections or grandiose (“Stay With Me – Howie’s Song”) is a lovely simple song with shades of sadness sung with care & feeling.
Becky has a beautiful voice; her singing is inspiring. The showcase was recorded in the wake of several losses in Ms. Shaw’s life. Sometimes this hurt can inspire an artist. There’s a Country music thread in her performance, but her folkier exuberance radiates stronger. It’s evident in “Fly,” & “Say Goodbye” two potent tunes that aren’t special but are attractive within the confines of Becky’s tiramisu voice. “Angels & Outcasts” is far more formal. While not too controversial it has the same drama as Buffy Sainte-Marie’s classic “The Priests of the Golden Bull.”
An exceptional album by an exceptional artist.
Highlights – “Makin’ Me Smile,” “Simon’s Thunder Shirt,” “Hey Lady,” “Round & Round,” “Stay With Me – Howie’s Song” & “Angels & Outcasts.”
Musicians – Lauren Spence (upright bass), Paul Shaw (drums), Dawn Shaw Patrick (violin/harmony), Abbie Gardner (dobro), Alan Broyles (piano), Angels & Outcasts Chorus.
An 8pp stitched lyric insert included. CD cover image courtesy of Janet Saul. Color image courtesy of Billy Howard. CD @ https://beckyshawrocks.com/