http://www.redhouserecords.com
Duluth, Minnesota bluesman Charlie Parr on this his Red House Records debut enjoys the benefit of a band (Phil Cook; Ryan Gustafson; James Wallace) for a change, and with his relentless 12-string, National steel guitar and banjo well primed he cashes in. Recorded in Hillsborough, NC at the ‘Down Yonder Farm’ Parr grabs the authentic feel of rural life with both hands.
While it helps if you are into traditional, blues steeped mountain music there is enough flexibility within the playing of Parr and the band for the casual listener to also gain a foothold. Once they do they will inevitably be blown away through the intensity of the music and stories told (all but traditional tune, murder ballad “Delia” are his) and general bustling feel to the music. So lively is it on “Remember Me If I Forget” as he speaks of his aunt Mid, and with a bunch of brilliant picking of pedal steel and National steel guitar plus harmony vocals of Emily Parr one can’t but be take by the rhythmic nature of the music.
Keeping it fast and furious, near Doc Boggs’ style you have “On Marrying A Woman With An Uncontrollable Temper”, this is where fiddle, guitars, banjo and his roving vocals press all the buttons required of a hillbilly square dance tune. Parr’s blues is also steeped with strains of gospel as family scenarios are repeatedly utilised, and well I hasten to add. “Over The Red Cedar” deals with growing old, and of how kids no longer play outside as they used to. “Resurrection” has a brooding dark feel to it, like that experienced seen by strangers who venture deep into a piney wood as daylight ends. Title-track “Stumpjumper” is supplied with a pounding beat, lots of slide and an unrelenting urge enough to awake past blues masters from the grave, and have rise up with a smile on their face as they nod, approvingly at Parr’s work.
Closing the record he serves up “Frank Miller’s Blues” and the above noted “Delia’s Blues”; the latter he says has the versions of Blind Willie McTell and David Bromberg both play into his version. Both are epic pieces, but ‘Delia’ with its tragic tale to tell brushes aside his own song to the powerful striking story. Parr is certainly a talent set to become bigger and even better.
Maurice Hope