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Inspired by Woody Guthrie’s lyric: “it was the lonesomest sound boys, that ever heard sound, boys,” acoustic folk duo Clay Parker and Jodi James have crafted a new album The Lonesomest Sound that’s refreshingly honest, moving songwriting. Surrounded by talented musicians — Clyde Thompson on fiddle, Paul Buller on pedal steel, mandolin and electric guitars; and rhythm section Micah Blouin and Davin Hinson — they have blithely managed to create an album that’s both hushed and musically complex.
Ethan Hawke heard the duo in a coffee shop in Louisiana, and cast the duo in a musical role in is forthcoming film, a biopic about Blaze Foley — a validation of their classic sound.
“Easy Breeze” winds around on a lazy beat and paints images of a whipporwills and sorrow about the passing of time, with their voices melding in earthy, old timey harmonies, with James’ highlighted as fluid and standout. “Katie’s Blues” continues the trajectory through sweet despair. “Far Away” gives Parker a chance to lead vocally and the result remains consistently lovely. “Remember it All” might be the most powerful piece on the album, “it’s a long clear night and there ain’t no one where I’m going to… do you remember it all when you were young?” “Killin’ Floor” is twelve minutes long, an earnest but at the same time sparse, painful number: “you gave me your killin’ floor… did you ever know the lonesomest song that can sound? You gave me your killin’ floor.”
Recorded at Blue Velvet Studio (engineered by Denton Hatcher) and also recorded at The Bakery Sound Studio (engineered by Joshua St. Moblo), this album is a nice summer treat.