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Daily Freeman
David Malachowski
March 28, 2008
Georgia's Caroline Herring plays American roots music with a power and conviction that is rare and elusive. Produced with an unadorned simplicity by Herring and Rich Brotherton (who also played guitars), it also features Glenn Fukunaga on bass, Danny Barnes on banjo and Warren Hood on fiddle and viola. Recalling the Carter Family
and the Stanley Brothers in its raw intimacy, there's no smoke and mirrors here, no posing or preening, just raw, honest emotions laid out for all to hear.
Starting off with "I'm a selfish girl in a selfish world" in the urgent "Stone Cold
World," Herring sings with a sultry vibrato that is both traditional and new, a
high and lonesome mountain sound that cuts deep. In fact, she rides a fine line
between country and folk here. "Song for Fay" sounds like it's 100 years old,
with spare banjo and acoustic guitar flailing away, while "Lay My Burden Down"
has a more ancient, Celtic lilt.
A sure standout is the dark and disturbing "Paper Gown." How dark? Try this on
for size: "I confessed that, for love's sake, I drowned my children in John D.
Long Lake." Yes, dark as night.
One of the most pure collections to come across my desk this year, Herring
has an uncommon depth and grace, don't miss this one.
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