This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 9/05
"Kevin and Maxine’s Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews"
The music of Paul Kamm and Eleanore MacDonald is what I call
'winter music.' And for the smart alecks out there, no, it doesn't give
me a fever and runny nose. Shivers, yes, and best enjoyed in quiet
solitude, with maybe a soft fire going and introspection on the menu.
Kamm and MacDonald's music is usually spare but involving,
offering a very thin wall between performer and listener. Background
music it isn't.
The opening cut, "The Judas Silver," addresses, among other
things, the 'exploration, discovery and claiming' of others' property and both the oblivious and nonchalant exploitation that accompanies such. A curious
dichotomic threesome of lines:
"...How the cold wind sings
The cold wind blows
And which it is nobody knows..."
"Salt In My Tears" uses everyday examples to depict those
lacking economic power, fortune and access being simply ignored or
discarded and soon forgotten.
The title cut, "Like Water," is a pastoral ode to that which both nourishes and anchors us during the many storms of life.
Following what your core being is telling you is right, is the theme
of the salsa-inflected (the music, not the condiment) "Listen To
Your Heart." This one will get you out of your chair or off the sofa.
In the first of two songs in collaboration with neighbor Utah Phillips,
Kamm and MacDonald turn bravery and cowardice on their respective ears in the co-written "Peace Jumpers."
Yes, it is difficult to endure the horror that is war, but it is also
arduous to stand by one's beliefs in the face of enormous, continuous and
ominous pressure and threats. A vision of Kate Rusby performing this
song somehow appeared to me mid-tune.
"Talking About Freedom" is a lengthy, seven and a half minute
edgy riff on how forgetting or forsaking what we know is
nurturing and humanly important leads to misplaced priorities,
savagry and the ultimate unraveling of community and humanity.
"Starlight On The Rails," penned solo by Phillips, is
performed by Kamm and MacDonald at a slower-than-usual pace, adding to the effect of the
lament.
"...We'll tell you what to be firghtened of
And who you can and cannot love
And just which God is up above
Are you one of them or one of us?..."
Kamm and MacDonald 'force' the listener to slow down, ruminate
and reassess. Who can't use more of that, along with enticing
harmonies, in their lives?
Paul Kamm on vocals and guitar and Eleanore MacDonald on
vocals, are backed by Mikail Graham on guitar, bass, electric sitar and
backup vocals; Albert Vasquez on percussion; Murray Campbell on fiddle
and Dave Smith on piano
Ownership, copyright and title of this folk music CD review belongs to me, Kevin McCarthy. Ownership, copyright and title are not transferable or assignable to you or other parties regardless of how or if you or other parties use, copy, save, backup, store, retrieve, transmit, display, publish, modify or share the CD review in whole or in part. Please read the "Terms, Conditions and Disclaimer" section on my web site for additional information about using, quoting, or reprinting this CD review.
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