Joe Breen reviews the latest releases
HAYES CARLL
Trouble in Mind ****
Lost Highway Records
This is a very good album; indeed, in the fullness of time it might turn out to be a great album. But right now, nothwithstanding its clear influences paraded proudly, Trouble in Mindis simply a whole heap of pleasure and a hoot to boot.
This is Texan Hayes Carll's third album and his first on a major label. He seizes his opportunity with a bunch of songs that tip the hat to everyone from Guy Clark, John Prine and Bob Dylan to The Band without ever sounding like anybody but his own man. And that man is an endearingly shambolic, raw-throated barfly with an ear for great tunes and a vivid, often very funny imagination.
Producer Brad Jones has melded this unbridled talent to a wonderfully loose-fitting band. The result is 14 tracks that share a country heart with varying shades of rock, folk and blues well mixed in. Most attention has focused on She Left Me for Jesus, which some might consider sacrilege but which still leaves me with a smile on my face. www.hayescarll.com
Download tracks: She Left Me for Jesus, Drunken Port's Dream, Beaumont
SOUTHERN TENANT FOLK UNION
Revivals, Rituals & Union Songs ***
Ugly Nephew Records
Pat McGarvey, a Belfast-born banjo-player, leads this six-strong London-based string band that cites the likes of The Stanley Brothers as strong influences. But the Union's second album sees them stretching out beyond the confines of Old Time and bluegrass tunes to more orthodox country and folk songs such as Back to Front, Let It Rolland Cocaine.
Indeed, the latter two have more in common with British new folksters Bellowhead than anything Appalachian. The dark, ruminative country of the Union's debut is echoed in the triple whammy of No More Hard Times, Changling Childand Can You Light a Flame?, but overall the songs on this collection lack the verve and intensity of their debut, suggesting an outside producer might be an useful addition next time around.
Catch them on a statewide Irish tour at the end of the month. www.southerntenantfolkunion.com
Download tracks: No More Hard Times, Cocaine
