North Carolina singer-songwriter, Jonathan Byrd and Danish singer-songwriter M.C Hansen of The Sentimentals have thrown their ideas and influences together and come through with this fine album. Byrd already has a handy set of albums to his name, but here he has gone for something more far-reaching, innovative and original.
Philosophy, ideals and, as put by Byrd ‘The Mother Tongue the project is a sort of audio handshake and international conversation between philosophy and rock’n’roll.
As already noted, Byrd’s reputation is a good one, and with him backed up by the band and lead vocals of Danish act Hansen to go with his own, the album not only eases along but also has a unique feel to it. This is how the songs, melodies and lyrical content dovetailed as they explored Soren Kierkegaard and Bob Dylan to find a lyrical language to bind together their ideas, and doesn’t it just. Like slow setting glue the music gets better through time. Vocally, they compliment each other like they were siblings, the project is something Simone Felice could have done, but even he would be pushed to equal never mind better the collection of work that comes under the title of Mother Tongue! No matter with whom he pitched his talent, for it is unique and, on the occasions it all drops into place magical.
Highlights, for the best tracks I would have to put forward title track “Mother Tongue” and with Byrd in roving, bubbly to boiling over with joy on a banjo, guitar, upright bass (Nikolaj Wolf) “Natural Supernatural”, and dramatic swirling piece “On The Edge” (Byrd’s vocals, and general flow of the song remind me of Verlon Thompson (see Guy Clark etc). “Malchick” a co-write by Byrd and Amy Speace is a sombre affair, a little too dry for my palate, or just not for this record. Hansen not to be outdone comes through strongly on their co-write “I Thought I’d Seen It All” which has a familiar sound (Greg Trooper?) to it, and once it gets into full flow, lyric wise it shines like a beacon. It doesn’t stop here, either with “There’s A Storm Coming”, and snappy little, tongue in-cheek entertaining as they come ode “I’m Going To Change The World”. Regards their finest vocals, the intro to “Sins Of Your Father” contains a Celtic edge with it’s a cappella opening, and though it becomes more progressive the feel remains glowing underneath it all.
Maurice Hope