Before this album has its first play, the words: whiskey,
Dakota, levee and Mississippi start to lay the ground for where the destination
is likely to be. Yes, it is Americana to the core, although leaning heavily in
a blues-infused direction. Helen Rose has equipped her impressive vocal and
musical credentials with a comfort blanket of the traditional, borrowed tunes
and themes rich in the culture of a genre. As a body of work, and indeed Rose’s
debut, TROUBLE HOLDING BACK emerges as a commendable effort, stimulating
interest, creating thought and settling down as a mighty fine unabated
listening experience. One that will have few struggles fighting its way through
a cluttered highway of new releases to be heard.
It is hard to look past the second track ‘Flatlands of North Dakota’ as Rose
assumes the mantle of a modern day Bobbie Gentry to spin a mystique tale,
albeit set a couple of thousand miles north west from the dusty delta. An
uncanny likeness to ‘Ode to Billy Joe’
opens this track, which proceeds to tell a five-minute story of struggle and
making ends meet out beyond the tracks.
Rose takes her place in the writing credits on this and a
couple of other tracks, alongside showing off her tenor sax skills on a few
more. The team assembled to record the ten songs making the album cut have
succeeded in creating something recognisable and fulfilling, prompting many
foot tapping and head nodding moments. All bound by a vocal prowess that
pitches at an optimum listening level.
From a traditional perspective, the arrangement of ‘When the Levee Breaks’ enhances the art
of passing on the time-honoured song. When borrowing tunes, a version of Don
Heffington’s ‘John Coltrane on the
Jukebox’ provides a good fit complete with sax solo, while taking on Steve
Earle’s ‘The Mountain’ considerably
widens the goalposts.
‘Mississippi Moon’
is a solo write from album producer Marvin Etzioni and proceeds to anchor the
record in a way that defines how the talents of Helen Rose can put a permanent
stamp on a song.
Leading the remainder of the originals, ‘Love and Whiskey’ gets the album off to a punchy beginning, while
the slightly sinister ‘A Dangerous
Tender’ equally stimulates the second half. Further tenor sax opens the
title track ‘Trouble Holding Back’ and album closer ‘Love on Arrival’ is a suitable temperate effort to gracefully
close the door. Making an invigorating claim for the latter stages’ highlight,
the infectiously soulful ‘Oh Glory Be’
provides a joyful touch.
TROUBLE HOLDING BACK is a double-edged album to the extent
that its first and umpteenth listen retain a distinct appeal. Helen Rose has
fully utilised her craft, skill, astuteness
and inspiration to share a record rich in its construction and embodying
the wide reaching template of Americana. Whether the word ‘debut’ leads to ‘breakthrough’
is in the hands of fate, but sealing the deal with individual listeners ensures
that small steps are heading in the right direction.
www.helenrosemusic.com
