I worked
late then raced home only to watch my beloved Rodger Federer lose a five-setter
in the quarter finals at Wimbledon. So yeah, not the greatest day.
Disc 1157 is… Real Midnight
Artist: Birds of
Chicago
Year of Release: 2015
What’s up with the Cover? Allison Russell looking very
artsy – like she’s posing for a painting or maybe on the verge of breaking into
a contemporary dance routine. Actually, she’ll probably sing. That’s totally
her thing.
How I Came To Know It: I read an article about them in a
music magazine and decided to check them out. I liked what I heard, obviously.
How It Stacks Up: Apparently they have a new record out this
year so I’m looking forward to checking that out, but for now I have just two
Birds of Chicago albums. I like them both, but I’m going to give “Real
Midnight” the edge.
Ratings: 4 stars
Sometimes a great voice just will not be denied, and
that’s the case with Allison Russell of Birds of Chicago. It helps to have a
great supporting cast, and on “Real Midnight” she has some of the best. The
record has all the talent of a collection of top flight session musicians, but
the cohesiveness and ease of a bunch of friends.
Fellow vocalist and guitar player JT Nero writes all
the songs on the album and his many influences are on full display. The record is
at its core folk music in its arrangements, but it is so infused with southern
soul and gospel that the lines blur away to nothing. This is basically a bunch
of musicians who love music in all its forms, and can play it any way you want
it.
JT Nero also has a solid singing voice, and on “Wild Horses” and “Time and Times” he puts his high rasp on display. He won’t blow you
away, but he’s got a pretty tone and on both those tracks (and more besides) and
he knows the real secret is tucking in behind the power that is Allison
Russell.
Russell is a revelation. I’ve heard the title track
a ton of times (there is a live clip of it on Youtube that is a go-to for
me when I need an emotional lift). Every time I hear it, it suffuses my soul
with joy. Lyrically these aren’t terribly rich songs (for that, read my previous
review of Anna Tivel) but the melodies are pretty and serve as a showcase for
Russell’s talent.
“Real Midnight”
(the song) has a slow build, climbing in and out of harmony loose harmonies but
when Russell takes the wheel solo and sings:
“Kiss my shoulders,
kiss my eyes
Don’t make me feel
bad
Why would you do
that – why….”
You think your heart is going to break. But then,
just as she’s leaving you hanging with that desperate “why…” the chorus leaps in for the rescue with an inspirational “lift me up! Lift me up!” that makes you
think you’re going to soar right off your seat.
“Estrella
Goodbye” has a celebratory country pop filled with gospel soul. It felt
like the spirit of Rhiannon Giddens was infusing it with extra power – no wait!
That is Rhiannon Giddens. As if this record didn’t already have a surfeit of
talent – getting Rhiannon to pitch in as a guest vocalist just feels like
cheating. (Giddens also drops some dope fiddle licks on “Time and Times”).
The songs put emotion first, but despite lyrics that
are generally fairly obvious in places the delivery is so perfect, and the
playing so divine you don’t mind that you’ve heard it before.
Like their previous record, Birds of Chicago
partially funded “Real Midnight” through Kickstarter, and key donors are thanked
prominently in the CD case. That was a nice touch. It just feels right that a
bunch of talented people coming together to make great music should be backed
by a bunch of people who like hearing it. I encourage you to do your part and
go buy a copy.
Best
tracks: Dim Star
of the Pillisades, Remember Wild Horses, Estrella Goodbye, Real Midnight, Time
and Times, Pelicans
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