If you have a passion or just a passing interest in the
sounds of the South then this new album by Brigitte DeMeyer will be right up
your street. SAVANNAH ROAD is the 6th studio release from Brigitte
and succeeds in taking you on a roots fuelled southern journey of discovery. The
combination of sultry vocals, evocative instrumentation and expressive lyrics
weaves together a sound deeply embedded in the spirit of blues, soul, gospel
and country. Brigitte has masterminded this project with much valued assistance
from Will Kimbrough who has had a hand in co-writing most of the 13 tracks as well
as contributing his renowned skilled musicianship.
Although not born and raised in the South, Brigitte is now a
Nashville resident and derived inspiration for the record from a biography of
southern rock icon Gregg Allman. The result is a sensual exploration of
southern lore which encapsulates the spirit of an area strongly considered the
bedrock of Americana music. Whilst embarking on a desire to explore the subject
in sufficient depth, the record is remarkably uncomplicated and full of
satisfying melodies to deliver the message, probably best exemplified in the tune-friendly, uplifting and optimistic ‘Say You Will Be Mine’.
Preceding this spritely number is the album’s lead and title
track. ‘Savannah Road’ probably just
deserves the top spot in my opinion and is a beautifully constructed song
acting as a calling to this journey of discovery. With its explicit descriptive
opening line of ‘rows and rows of peaches grow’, the canvas starts to fill up
with vivid imagery. Brigitte’s song writing probably peaks with ‘Build Me A Fire’, an ode to her mother’s
struggles in war torn Europe prior to her eventual emigration.
There are still examples of great lines in other songs and ‘cigar-box
and chicken wire picking away’ from ‘Lightnin' Poor’ conjures up the dedication to interpret song in the most basic way.
The bid to tap into the core of soul and blues is evident in the chorus driven ‘Please Believe Me’ and the observational
‘Boy’s Got Soul’. Liberal offerings
of organ and occasional strains of back porch harp add to the mood while a dose
of clarinet brings to life a late night lounge jazz feel to ‘Big Man’s Shoes’, which also possesses
the album’s best guitar piece.
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To enhance your sensory
experience, ‘Simmer Right’ is
literally a ‘tasty’ number while the tender tone to ‘Home Ground’ is designed to soothe any hardships derived from a
journey through what can be a tough land. The voyage is completed with the
philosophical and gospel overtures of ‘My
Someday’ which emerges as an apt and suitable closer. The full track
listing is completed by the trio ‘Worker’,
‘Honey Hush’ and ‘Conjure Woman’,
with the latter being the pick and tapping into the mystique of the region.
SAVANNAH ROAD is an excellent album which brings an essence
of peaches, dust roads and iced tea to your living room and, for a brief 46
minutes, you can immerse yourself into a sound steeped in the core of what makes
Americana music a source of long lasting gratifying pleasure. Hopefully
Brigitte DeMeyer can pay the UK a visit again to promote the album and re-live
her performances as seen at previous Maverick Festivals.
www.brigittedemeyer.com