Reviews
Artist:Chris Coole Album: The Old Man And The C Chord
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: https://chriscoole.bandcamp.com/album/the-old-man-and-the-c-chord
While I have greatly enjoyed the last two studio albums by the excellent Lonesome Ace Stringband, I was unaware of Chris Coole, one third of the Aces as a solo artist. The Old Man And The C Chord is his third solo album and to these ears a rich collection, with a depth that rewards repeated listens, as well as graceful and carefully balanced arrangements. Intentional or accidental the ambient bird song and atmospherics add to the reflective, bucolic "Upon The Mystery". Chris is in fine voice on this song about the simple pleasures of life. "Waiting For The Rain" is a contemporary folk blues about hard times and waiting for change. On this album of duets Coole's voice, vintage guitar and banjo are joined by Burke Carroll on slide guitar, Ivan Rosenberg Dobro, Andrew Collins Mandolin, Gavin Bradley Gardiner Organ, Andrew Downing Bass, John Williams Clarinet, John Showman Violin and Lyle Molzan drums. The sound is consistently beautiful and understated, with an instrument there when it's needed and absent when it's not. "I May Not Be Much, But I'm All That I Think About" is a jazzy duet between guitar and clarinet with some clever lyrical wordplay.
"Make This Day" has a fine Chris Smither vibe with guitar and a rich pedal steel. The eerie resonant banjo on Chris' "My Name Is Lie" has the intensity of English Folk, putting me in my mind of Bert Jansch's 1966 "Waggoners Lad". Musician and producer Collins and Coole are masters of light touch production, creating a hypnotic atmosphere out of waves of banjo. Similarly affecting and delicately placed is the resonant electric guitar on "Delia", Chris' take on a dark traditional tale of loss and "Where The Light Goes" with its gripping vocal. The fade and delivery of Chris' final line in the song's poetic lyric is just stunning. The space around the Bill Frisellesque chiming guitar is like a second instrument on this pair of my favourite tracks on the album. Pushed to a third favourite I'd choose the bouncing infectious title track with its upbeat folk JJ Cale feel. "Sounds Like The Song Of Life On The First Day Of Spring" is another feel good song with a poetic title and a charming mandolin part. "Ode To Champ" is a honest down to earth love song to a faithful Toyota, delivered over a fine banjo melody line.
Nico Laroche-Humby's cover image (apparently inspired a vintage Hemingway dust jacket) with Chris Coole, framed by a surfacing swordfish playing his guitar in a boat, evokes the pared back music, reflective songs and delivery perfectly. Like those fairy tale unfortunate bears' best porridge, there is never either too much, nor too little on this perfectly balanced and delicate album. One for quiet listening and contemplation.
Marc Higgins
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Topic
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Corsair is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.