Libby Koch & Michael O’Connor – Gulf Coast Duets
This duet-oriented LP is folky but since it originates from the Gulf Coast of Texas, it’s a debut set that’s interesting, if not different. Oh, it’s still folk music, but it isn’t urban folk music. There’s no Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, or Tom Paxton, radical regularities. The blend of voices here is genuine, warm like whiskey & with stripped-down arrangements focuses on the simmered tones of Libby Koch & Michael O’Connor. Beginning with “Bernadine” — simply delicate & beautiful.
The contrast between Libby’s youthful voice & the vivid & gruff O’Connor fluency works well together – I’ve said this before, voices like are strangely complimentary like salty potato chips & dark rich chocolate. That’s it. “Ain’t Gonna Stop Me,” is an original with a Willie Nelson-type of immediacy; the duo performs it with felicity.
There are 10 Gulf Coast Duets (Dropped Oct. 9/Coastal Bend Records/35:42) produced by Grammy-winner John Macy (pedal steel) in Rockport, TX. It’s a loose concept album that follows a storyline in an old-school country duet style. Michael (guitar/Octave mandolin/baritone guitar) is a veteran grassroots troubadour raised in Corpus Christi & splitting his time now between Texas & Washington State. Berkalin Recording artist Libby (guitar/Octave mandolin) is a Houston native. Their album is filled with originals except for 2 covers: Guy Clark’s “Boats To Build,” & Nanci Griffith’s “Gulf Coast Highway.”
The showcase is rootsy, but there are songs arranged with a touch of easy listening approaches. However, “Wrecked” carries a low-flame John Prine raspiness with Michael that’s compelling in the presence of Libby’s decorative voice. The sincerity between both singers is absolutely flavorful in this tune. Smooth, delicate, & poignant. It’s the spareness of the compositions that allows the voices to reach out in a way that many louder bands & artists don’t achieve. The duo doesn’t have to compete with too much instrumentality. The acoustic guitar is almost a 3rd singer on “Too Late” — another fine ballad, presented unfiltered, unadorned & Libby comes close to Melissa Etheridge in moments. A good performance.
Some songs are played with a hat tip to Buddy & Julie Miller – “One More Song” has that duo’s intonation & tone. Played excellently & richly. This is what the song suggests, it’s not an imitation or even an influence, it’s just the “sound” is mindful of that team. And that’s meant as a compliment. Anyone who enjoys the work of that duo would find Koch-O’Connor emblematic of their art.
I look forward to more from this Texas duo. Their music is like a hollowed-out cantaloupe filled with vanilla ice cream. Yeah…try it some time.
Highlights – “Bernadine,” “Ain’t Gonna Stop Me,” “Boats To Build,” “Wrecked,” “Too Late,” “One More Song” & “Gulf Coast Highway.”
Musicians – John Plankenhorn (Oahu guitar).
Libby image courtesy of Nicola Gell. Michael’s image courtesy of his website photo gallery. CD @ Bandcamp + https://libbykoch.com/ & https://mocmusic.com/