|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review by Bill Binkelman On his latest album, guitarist and bassist Johann Helton is joined by Benjamin Michael Burdick (acoustic and slide guitar), Lawson Hill (drums) and Richard Kriehn (mandolin and violin) and together they craft some wonderful acoustic ensemble instrumental tunes that tell a variety of "stories." There's the swaying but gentle "Song for My Mother" which carries a hint of bossa nova in its rhythms yet the lead acoustic guitar sounds more like rural folk music &endash; an interesting juxtaposition. "Walking Backward" offers up a whimsical and bluesy back-alley tune that riffs on the opening refrain from Henry Mancini's The Pink Panther Theme but has its own sense of sly fun wedded with a dose of noir-ish mystery. "Esperanza" is flavored with Spanish spice, drawn equally from the drums and the guitar work, enticing the listener with its sexy sense of fun. Helton and crew can quiet things down just as skillfully, such as on the introspective "Talking Wind" which speaks of walking under a cloudy grey sky in mid-autumn, deep in one's own thoughts yet also conscious of skittering leaves on the sidewalk under your feet. "Watercolor Rain" is even more sedate, almost somber in mood (Helton goes solo on this track, although he plays at least two different guitars and bass that I can hear). The song feels as if it were about lost loves or long-departed dear ones. Helton and his accompanists all play with passionate spirit and adroit technique, so if you appreciate picking, strumming, and other artistry of the string instrument family, you're gonna really enjoy Tell Me A Story. There is a nice combination of uptempo and laid back tracks and a spot-on balance of rural back-country lane music and a more contemporary urban feel. "Disguise the Limit" has a jazzy aspect to it, as Burdick contributes some tasty licks and Hill's trap kit drums beat out a nice funkified beat, while Helton himself shows off his skill on both guitar and bass. Whether you prefer the gentle nostalgia of the title song or the toe-tapping bounce of "Say You Will," Tell Me A Story is an album to savor over and over again. It represents acoustic musicians playing at the top of their game and comes highly recommended (should make for great driving music on back country roads!). |
|