The Grahams
Album: Glory Bound
Label: Cen
Tracks: 12
Website: http://thegrahamsmusic.net/

Alyssa & Doug Graham a.k.a The Grahams have been together since school as childhood sweethearts and now married. Not only do they have a personal romantic partnership but they are musical partners too. Prior to this part of their career Alyssa was performing pop and jazz songs to varying degrees of success and before that she was once again performing music with her long term partner Doug as part of a psychedelic rock band called Blindman's Holiday.

Fast forward to 2015 and two albums in for the Americana, country and roots infused styles of music and we see where The Grahams' hearts truly lie. Glory Bound is the follow-up to Fisherman's Daughter and where as the former was an adventurous journey album along the Mississippi River this latest release follows a similar theme albeit via a different mode of transport along the historical American railroad. Grammy nominated producer Wes Sharon is on board here and was able to enlist a multi talented cast of musicians like John Fulbright, renowned fiddler Byron Berline (Flying Burrito Brothers, Dillard & Clark), Ryan Engelman and Gabe Pearson (Turnpike Troubadours). The Grahams have many co-writes on this twelve track collection with long term collaborator Bryan McCann. Not only was an album created but producer/director Cody Dickinson helped create an accompanying music documentary called Rattle The Hocks showing the journey they will take in creating the music for the album.

The title track is a storming opener in what will be an epic escapade full of passion and emotion. Alyssa's vocals are powerful and she sings about certain regrets in a way as if she's been travelling the railroads all her life by even adding a clever howling effect as if it were from the locomotive steam train itself. There's no let down with the pace on the rocky 'Gambling Girl' which includes many instruments ranging from piano, drums and harmonica while Alyssa sings about never trusting such a risk taking lady.

'Blow Wind Blow' refers to those times spent with loved ones around the railroad but now they are no longer together and "nothing blows through you like being alone". Alyssa recollects "my brother besides me his hand on my back, we skipped down the sleepers and follow the tracks, in 2003 he left for Iraq, I still feel him placing his hand on my back".

'Lay Me Down' is a haunting standout track for me and shows another side to Alyssa's vocal. It has heartfelt echoes of Sarah McLachlan with real emotive, powerful lyrics that make your hairs on your arms stand up.

If the previous was a melodic ballad the next song 'Kansas City' is an explosive high energy offering which reminds me of the Irish Sham Rock song Tell Me Ma albeit without the Irish lilt and more country fiddle. The lyrics are sung in such a fast pace as if the train is speeding along the railroad. There's further fiddle and the effective harmonies of Doug is clearer than ever where they sing about getting to the city as fast as they can "before she breaks my heart".

'Mama' is a country sacred number referring to the relation where "someday she'll be waiting for me" in another world. There's more train and railroad references on 'The Wild One' about the last words uttered by someone before passing through and how they will not be forgotten. It has to be noted that there is clapping on some of these songs and that is because a lot of these were recorded with minimal rehearsals capturing the full 'as it happens' atmosphere of the studio.

The 'The Wild One' is about never forgetting or losing the love for someone who is no longer with them. The fantastic train metaphors here with "keep your engines turning" and "keep your fires burning" are an example of the very descriptive lyrics used on all the tracks. The railroad appears throughout and if it wasn't for one or two songs that stray slightly from the trains this could almost be a concept album.

There's some fabulous slide guitar on the slightly slower 'Biscuits' that has a definite bluesy edge. 'The Spinner' has a lovely distinct country mandolin and twang steel feel. Rounding off with 'Promised Land' which inevitably is back out on the railroad reflecting on the places travelled, encountering the many different weather and climate changes and the request to join them on the journey back home.

I have really enjoyed this journey through the American landscape with the authentic storytelling, the railroad references throughout and the irresistible distinctive quality of Alyssa's vocals matched by the fine accompanying harmonies and guitar from Doug. They set out to travel the railroads, immerse themselves in the culture and influences of other hobos and brakemen of yesteryear like Woody Guthrie or Jimmie Rodgers and they certainly have delivered. It's an addictive and engrossing historical American journey and one that needs to be taken several times to fully appreciate its history.

Craig Parry