Michael Veitch – Discovered
There are 13 songs herein that are carriers of memory, mentors in disguise & emotional landmarks that stay with listeners long after the music’s over on Discovered (Dropped Oct 12/Burt Street Records/61:08). That’s what Woodstock, NY-based songwriter & Americana-folk singer Michael Veitch (vocals/guitars/keys) believes & professes through his material on this new album produced by Julie Last (bgv). They’re covers of songs that shaped his life & in turn reshaped for others. There’s storytelling about friendships, turning points & in the finale; it’s all a memoir told through other people’s artistic endeavors & most importantly, rendered & interpreted by Michael in his own distinctive way.
The Vermont native made his way during his career to Greenwich Village, performed at the Newport Folk Festival, won a songwriting award at Kerrville, had Judy Collins cover one of his songs and has never sustained a respectful career. There’s Richard Thompson cover — “Misunderstood,” that Michael lowers the temperature on from the original. Then he turns to Shawn Colvin’s beautiful ballad “I Don’t Know Why,” & his sincere take is equally impressive. Albums like this take a special place because it’s magical when an artist covers another’s work & embellishes it with their own beauty & fortifies it with their artistic indulgence.
Sometimes the songwriter hears their song in a way they didn’t imagine. The Carpenter’s did a wonderful version of Paul Williams’ “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” but in 1973 Bobby Darin’s version was sung with an emphasis on the words that went deeper. No longer pop music but a desperate loving plea. Darin eliminated the upbeat Middle-8 which took the gas out of Karen Carpenter’s.
The LP features some popular & obscure covers that have somewhat faded from memory (the Left Banke’s beautiful 1966 baroque-pop hit “Walk Away Renee”) about the real Renee Fladen is well done, though Michael’s intent on his version differs. With the pop-polish diminished, the angst of the tale surfaced strongly in an Eric Andersen tone. These are songs that have impressed Mike in the past & according to him each carries a lesson & hopefully that lesson will resonate in this collection. If nothing else, the album is filled with a love for the music, the writers & Mike’s sincerity.
Despite some tunes sung & played quite well, they’re elementary. So what? Michael always scores on whatever he sings with his precise, pensive smokey vocal & sounds excellent with his superb backup singers in tow.
Highlights – “Misunderstood,” “I Don’t Know Why,” “Walk Away, Renee,” “The Secret O’ Life,” “One Island To Another” & “Brooklyn.”
Musicians – Cindy Cashdollar (lap steel), Tony Levin, Kyle Esposito, Lou Pappas & Jeff Keithline (bass guitars), Pete Levin (keys), Rick Binney (drums/percussion), Tad Wise (harmonica), Rick Rourke & Mike Antonelli (saxes), Chris Persad (trumpet), Jason Miller (trombone/arrangements) & Alma Honel (bgv).
Color image courtesy of Ilene Cutler. CD @ Spotify & https://michaelveitch.com/