http://www.malcolmholcombe.com
Every time Malcolm Holcombe releases an album it is a reason to celebrate, and his latest effort, The RCA Sessions is no different. Made up of 16 songs taken from the ten albums and EP made between 1994 and 2014, but unlike most albums of the like Holcombe went back into the studio, RCA Studios in Nashville to be exact to recut them. Yes, Malcolm tends to do things deferent, but there is nothing wrong with that especially when the music is as good as it is here! Granted his voice would struggle if entered into a singing contest for polished acts, but what when it comes to real character and addictive charm he would beat ‘em hands done. Living up near Asheville, NC he is a throwback to the old days, a man who pours out his heart on every note and writes like no other. His Americana country blues, folk fashioned story-telling bubbles over in emotion, descriptive lyrics, and he has also chosen some fine fellow pickers to lend support.
Added to his impassioned vocals and acoustic guitar you have his good friend and oft duo partner Jared Tyler (Dobro, electric, lap steel guitar, vocals), Dave Roe (upright bass), Tammy Rogers (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Ken Coomer (drums, percussion), Jelly Roll Johnson (harmonica) and Siobhan Maher-Kennedy (vocals) and they buzz like crazy. And with a DVD showing how the songs were recorded live the listener is able to sample what it is like if they don't already know and have witnessed Holcombe live on stage. Although he is usually solo when he comes over here, but isn’t slow to fill the holes such his enthusiastic, fever pitched, incendiary onslaught on such occasions. Like in the words of Lucinda Williams ‘Malcolm Holcombe is an old soul and modern day blues poet. He is a rare find’. Malcolm is one of a kind all right, a rare and treasure, and with him utilising to the full the talent of Johnson on “Mouth Harp Man” and “Mister In Morgantown” and vocalists Maura O’Connell and Maher-Kennedy on “A Far Cry From Here” and “My Ol’ Radio” respectively this is a terrific and well timed set of work.
I love the sound of fiddle and Dobro opening on “Down The River”, cry of electric guitar on “Pitiful Blues”, the former also help elevate “I Feel Like A Train”. While on getting a little melancholy “Doncha Miss That Water” sails, effortlessly across one’s view, and there's more like it. Good stuff. “Butcher In Town” with it’s lively percussive beat, Dobro and Holcombe singing of ‘here in the south, whisky money, and with more meat on a pencil from the butcher in town and a more hypnotic lyrics it strikes home. Close to it for story-telling and impact you have “I Never Heard You Knockin' as he digs deeper than most acts only dream of.
As if to show he can write, and perform a song as sensitive as anyone walking “Early Mornin’ with finely honed mandolin, harmony vocals and Dobro it flows, effortlessly. A homely fare affair it has Holcombe’s lyrics recall the delight of his mama’s country ham from the hog killed once a year, early morning in the fog and rare goodness obtained from the cold clear water from the fresh water well.
As a bonus, the deluxe version as noted above is accompanied by a wonderful DVD showing Holcombe and the players in action, recording and in between some tracks speak of the genial Malcolm Holcombe. Of how folklore in Nashville used to speak of how he would appear on stage with his kitchen apron still wrapped round him after work, told you he was different. Don't let this release pass without at least checking out what all the fuss and critical acclaim is all about both in print and from Tyler, Rogers, Roe etc and East Nashville in general.
Maurice Hope