The Grahams recording journey across the Americana landscape
began in 2013 thematically on the rivers before taking a significant leap forward a couple
of years later when they hopped onto the trains. Now as we approach the two year
anniversary of the initial release of GLORY BOUND, we find the project still
has plenty of mileage left in it.The latest piece, and probably the final one, of the train
jigsaw is the release of THE GRAHAMS AND FRIENDS (LIVE IN STUDIO) and an
alternative take on the songs that have served this duo well as their career expanded.
Essentially this thirteen song collection (fourteen tracks if you count the extra contrasting version of ‘Tender Annabelle’)
is a return to the core songs of a project which also included a documentary titled
RATTLE THE HOCKS and its subsequent soundtrack. The major difference, as
indicated in the title, is the many collaborators that chipped in with the
versions that make this later issue.
Obviously if you have already bought into the ideals of The
Grahams then judgement on the overall worth of re-hashing the bulk of the material
in a commercial format is entirely left to the individual and the degree of
value that has been added. Alternatively if this is a premiere to their music
then the release proceeds to be an excellent snapshot to how the modern day
folk-Americana genre can take a dip into the past, polish it up and present a
highly distinguished body of work. Essentially it doesn’t matter when you hitch
a ride on the back of The Grahams' journey, the main thing is that you don’t let
it race away into the distance without some acquaintance.
For the notebook The Grahams are husband and wife team
Alyssa and Doug. Meeting and inspired from a young age, they have sought out
the roots of American music taking in many things from Dylan to Guthrie along
with much in between. Alyssa is the vocal powerhouse of the duo and breathes
incredible life into the story songs which often trace this calling to ensure
the psyche of the past lives on. The instrumental sound is what you would
expect, heavy in an acoustic direction and not afraid to throw many curve balls
into the mix from this perspective. What is evident in this collection of
mainly original compositions is the ease that they escort the listener on board
and ensure a memorable listening experience.
In order to market these cut versions, it has been necessary
to highlight the collaborators in a direct manner from the cover, title and
blurb. The one that jumped out straight away was the John Fullbright input on ‘Tender Annabelle’, and that of one of
American music’s most distinctive singer-songwriter voices over the last few
years. This is closely followed by the contributions of Sean and Sara Watkins
on the album’s signature track ‘Glory
Bound’, very much the pivotal point of the whole project.
While Kenneth Pattengale from The Milk Carton Kids on ‘The Lonely Ones’ as well as David Garza
and Susan Choffell on the spiritual beast ‘Mama’
make further significant contributions on this release, the overall vocal vibes
are almost entirely owned by Alyssa. Outside the duo’s writing circle they
featured Alejandro Escovedo’s ‘Broken
Bottle’ and what American rail road inspired project could leave out a
version of ‘City of New Orleans’.
This choice being a boisterous one packed with rolling percussion and added horns.
One of the tracks that garners particular appeal is the excellent ‘Lay Me Down’ complete with a hook part
on the chorus that massages the ear upon each listen.
The Grahams have created a space in the market for this
record and a forthcoming UK tour includes an airing of the documentary alongside
a Q and A session in support of the main gig. Projects like this are integral
to roots music and when done to such a high level make for an engaging listen.
www.thegrahamsmusic.net
The Grahams · February-March 2017 UK Tour
with screening of their award-winning documentary short Rattle The Hocks and Q&A
FEBRUARY
Wed 22 Sheffield The Greystones
Thu 23 Shrewsbury Henry Tudor House
Fri 24 Bury The Met, Studio Theatre
Sat 25 Liverpool Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Music Room
Sun 26 Gateshead Sage Gateshead, Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Tue 28 Settle Victoria Hall
MARCH
Wed 1 Newbury Arlington Arts Centre
Thu 2 Fareham Ashcroft Arts Centre
Fri 3 Salisbury Salisbury Arts Centre
Sat 4 Leeds Seven Arts Centre
Sun 5 Bristol The Lantern
Tue 7 Shoreham Ropetackle Arts Centre
Wed 8 South Woodchester, nr. Stroud The Convent
Thu 9 London Kings Place, Hall Two
