An Important Album
Quite simply a fresh but also traditional folk album, this
is Sam Carter’s third and my first to know of his. The Guardian makes a comparison with Richard Thompson which baffles
me, unless it is the fact Carter plays both acoustic and electric - his vocal
is a near polar opposite, a higher register with a natural warble, and guitar
playing that is fine. That acoustic/electric dichotomy is evidenced by the
opening two tracks: the gentle and sweet acoustic opener From the South Bank to Soho that narrates wonderfully, Sam
Sweeney’s viola beautifully woven within; and second electric Dark Days seems a Balkan waltz of
menace. I prefer the former.
Third Counting the
Cost merges the two styles, electric guitar and a beautiful rising melody
sung sweetly, with smoothing viola again; King
for a Day is piano and gorgeous vocal; Drop
the Bomb, as with others, reminds of Rufus Wainwright, this having requisite
drama as the title would suggest, then there is The Grieved Soul, electric guitar chords sharp in the background
behind the contrasting folk harmonies that are tightly multi-layered, brief
guitar reverb seeing the track out. There is more of this excellence right to
the twelfth song and end, and it is an important album.
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