ALBUM OF THE MONTH 5-STARS
Steeped in acoustic music tradition, Pharis and Jason Romero are like a breath of fresh air to the Americana acoustic scene, yes on occasions there are similarities to Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings —so what! Don't some country acts show leanings towards Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Bob Wills, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard......etc.
After seeing them live earlier in the year it was with great anticipation I placed their latest cd on my player, and I wasn’t at all disappointed in what I heard. The opposite being the case. Both their songwriting, selection of covers and playing was top-class; of the latter you have Jason’s banjo, plus guitar, Pharis’ acoustic guitar; plus likewise excellent work from Josh Rabie (fiddle), John Hurd (bass), Marc Jenkins (pedal steel) and Brent Morton on drums to go with Pharis’ role on lead, although Jason does take over the role on a couple of tracks (and does good too).
Their playing as already noted is clean, pure and melodious. On one or two occasions Cahalen Morrison and Eli West came to mind, immediately so on “Goodbye Old Paint” and “New Lonesome Blues”; so crisp the playing (especially Jason’s banjo; one he made himself more than likely)
All but four songs are from their collective pen, and with their songs immaculate in every department it is difficult what to choose as those that see the duo in best light. However the do excel on the fiddle warmed “Poor Boy”, melancholy ode “Lonesome & I’m Going Back Home”, and the song which gets the record up and running “A Wanderer I’ll Stay”. On well-greased wheels it is too as Pharis’ lead soars beautifully as the song speaks of a girl’s urge of the road and to roam the country, although in real life she loves nothing better than her beloved rural home. There are so many treasures, the likes of “There’s No Companion” with its folk flavours, and Pharis’ vocals showing strains of Gillian Welch, and ever so briefly hints of an early Linda Ronstadt!
Vintage sounding “Ballad Of Old Bill” is right up there too. As for covers not only do you have “Goodbye Old Paint” enjoy a timely dust down, but with Jason placing his lead vocals at the fore a stirring workout for “Cocaine Blues” (Luke Jordan). Billy Mayhew’s “It’s A Sin To Lie” (taken from the movie Pennies From Heaven) is a mellow affair, while “The Dying Soldier” learnt from Buell Kazee speaks in sombre of the American Civil War. Making up the album you have evocative instrumental “Old September” and on Gourd banjo, beautiful piece “Backstep Indi” (a wonderful piece of restrained picking if there ever was).
Recorded apart from the pedal steel parts at their home in Horesfly in British Columbia, Canada (and produced by them and recording engineer, David Travers-Smith) the sound obtained could not be more pure or wonderfully textured, the vocals more eloquent or exquisite! I could go on and on, but by now you’ll have got the drift are fully understand that A Wanderer I'll Stay is a masterpiece! I also love the artwork / cover.
Maurice Hope