[FM] review of Dave Carter's & Tracy Grammer's new CD "Tanglewood
Tree"
Kevin
celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com
Sat, 19 Feb 2000 15:56:42 -0800
Below is my review of Dave Carter's and Tracy Grammer's CD "Tanglewood Tree".
To see the review nicely formatted in your web browser, please view
the version on my web site at:
http://www.surfnetusa.com/celtic-folk/index.html
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A Review of the CD
"Tanglewood Tree"
by Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
----------------------------------------------------------------------"Tangl
ewood Tree"
by Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
copyright 2000
Signature Sounds Recordings - SIG 1257
P.O. Box 106
Whately, MA 01093
ph: (800) 694-5354
http://signature-sounds.com and
info@signature-sounds.com
Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
#140, 25 NW 23rd Place, Suite 6
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 236-5272
http://songs.com/daveandtracy and
mailto:dave@daveandtracy.com or mailto:tracy@daveandtracy.com
This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 2/00
(http://www.surfnetusa.com/celtic-folk/index.html
Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews
mailto:celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com
Picture this, if you will: Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, at one of the
Kerrville songwriter circle campfires, finishing up "Happytown," "The
Mountain" or "Cat-Eyed Willie Claims His Lover." Silence prevails
momentarily, then lingers just an uncomfortable interval longer. Finally,
the other members of the circle stir, quietly packing up instruments and
slowly ambling away from the rapidly vanishing assembly. Has it gotten too
late? Nah, are you kidding, these are folksingers. Is everyone out of
material? See answer number one. So what's with this behavior? Sheepishly
but understandably, it is that nobody wants to step up and follow this duo,
the thinking being "how in the world can I top that?" And who can blame
them?
Carter's and Grammer's latest release, "Tanglewood Tree," continues
supplying that intimate portal into the stimulating and eclectic visions of
Dave Carter. Carter's delicate poetics flutter from metaphysical to
melancholy to metaphorical. Grammer's charming vocals match her moving
violin play. The end result is as thought-provoking and enjoyable a
collection of songs as will be found this year.
Releasing under the Signature Sounds label has gotten them out of Grammer's
kitchen (where their last CD, "When I Go," was recorded) and into an
authentic music studio. The result is eleven cuts offering a myriad of
textures and rhythms, with the effect being a fuller, more complex sound
than their last release, although it should be noted "Farewell To Fiddlers
Rim" was recorded in Grammer's venerable kitchen. In addition to their
usual pleasing harmonies, Carter and Grammer trade lead vocals this time
around, with Grammer doing the honors on four of the cuts.
The scintillating "Happytown" opens the release, with Carter, at his most
mystical but still taking the time for a quick wink and nod at this
rambling road and its many pathways that we call life:
..."guru child on glory mountain, waitin' patient, turtle-wise
twenty years of bliss and countin', trips and riddles in his eyes
he says the primal quest ain't nothin' but a second guess
sometimes you just do your best and compromise...
shootin' fools and starry gazers, wizard hip and button-down
I walk the occam razor way through priests and circus clowns
am I a missioner of faith or grace or vision or
another grinning prisoner of happytown...
so strap me in, I'm going clear - burning circles around the sun
the fisher king is here, but he is not the only one
Parcival and Valentino ridin' winged palominos
Willie in his el camino, on the run..."
"Tanglewood Tree" is the epitome of Dave Carter's brilliance. Despite
depictions ad nauseam of love--good, bad and all variations
in-between--since time began, he is able to avoid derivativeness and take a
fresh look at this most exhilarating, damning and puzzling of feelings.
Assisted by Grammer on violin, he sings:
"love is a tanglewood tree in a bower of green
in a forest at dawn
fair while the mockingbird sings, but she soon lifts her wings
and the music is gone
young lovers in the tall grass with their hearts open wide
when the red summer poppies bloom
but love is a trackless domain, and the rumor of rain
in the late afternoon
love is an old root that creeps through the meadows of sleep
when the long shadows cast
thin as a vagrant young vine, it encircles and twines
and it holds the heart fast
catches dreamers in the wildwood with the stars in their eyes
and the moon in their tousled hair
but love is a light in the sky, and an unspoken lie
and a half-whispered prayer..."
Grammer steps to the fore with lead vocals on the percussion-driven "The
Mountain,"singing:
"I was born in a forked-tongued story
raised up by merchants and drugstore liars
now I walk on the paths of glory
one foot in ice, one in fire...
some build temples and some find altars
some come in tall hats and robes spun fine
some in rags, some in gemstone halters
some push the pegs back in line..."
She follows with the enigmatic "Crocodile Man," vocally reminiscent of
Annie Gallup's spoken/sung phrasings:
"mama she raised me on riddles and trances,
fatback, channel-cat, lily white lies
rocked my cradle in a jimmy-crack fancy,
never knew papa and I never asked why...
Well, I hooked up with a carny, little outa Memphis
slavin' in a sideshow, pennies in a jar
beetle-eyed jokers and hicktown princes,
rhinestone rubies and rubber cigars
wrassled me a gator up in Omaha city,
did me another down in New Orleans
tangled with the barker, run off with the kitty,
crawled the Mississippi and I got away clean..."
Grammer, on violin, continues, with leading vocals on "Farewell To Fiddlers
Rim." Backed by Carter on banjo and sounding a touch like Nancy Griffith,
she sings:
"they called the house the risin' sun
but the rooms were dark and dingy
she packed her bags when the year was done
she won't be back again
she's a-goin' home, back to Carolina
leavin' Fiddler's Rim behind her..."
Carter turns ballad-like with "Cat-Eyed Willie Claims His Lover," a cut
somewhat in the vein of celtic story lore. With violin flourishes and vocal
assistance by Grammer, he sings:
"Bonnie Brown lay down the king of diamonds
young Cody took the king of clubs in trade
the queen of hearts was dealt to simple Simon
but cat-eyed Willie drew the ace of spades
now Bonnie make the bed you were born in
turn your daddy's picture to the wall
for you'll not marry Cody come the mornin'
tonight ol' shufflin' Willie comes to call
Bonnie Brown, you can run and hide, fly my honey lamb
you can cry have mercy and crawl the cane for cover
but you're bound for the butcher's bride
the slew-foot devil won't be denied
when cat-eyed Willie comes to claim his lover..."
Bonnie slays Willie but after the fact. Carter continues:
"...now twenty years her suitors have been idle
and twenty years her cat-eyed boy has grown
and he has stolen ruttle, horse and bridle
and taken to the cullion road alone
oh build my tomb down in some meadow lovely
mark it with the traitor diamond knave
for I have served one master true and only
and I shall sleep beside him in the grave..."
Matched superbly to her material, the unveiling of Tracy Grammer on lead
vocals is a gratifying enhancement to this release. She deftly pulls in the
listener on all of her cuts with the aplomb of a seasoned vocalist.
There may be equals but surely there is no one better at assembling words,
phrases, thoughts and ideas than Dave Carter. When he reaches deep inside
and pulls out these surreal and symbolic pearls from his unconscious, we
are all in for an intoxicating treat.
With apologies to the unquestionable singing and instrumental talents of
Tracy Grammer, I have a suggestion. Title the CD "Being Dave Carter"? Just
how much would you be willing to pay for 15 minutes inside this guy's
brain?
Carter on vocals, guitar, banjo, piano and Hammond organ and Grammer on
vocals, violin, mandolin and acoustic guitar are backed by Richard Gates on
electric bass; Lorne Entress on drums and percussion; Roger Williams on
dobro; Bob Dick on upright bass; and Chris Turner on harmonica.
Track List:
* Happytown (3:33)
* Tanglewood Tree (3:39)
* The Mountain (3:37)
* Farewell To St. Dolores (4:26)
* Hey Conductor (3:18)
* Crocodile Man (3:01)
* Walkin Away From Caroline (5:01)
* Farewell To Fiddlers Rim (2:11)
* Cat-Eyed Willie Claims His Lover (4:05)
* Cowboy Singer (3:41)
* Farewell To Bitterroot Valley (2:36)
All songs written by Dave Carter.
Please read the "Terms & Conditions" section on my web site for information
about using, quoting, or reprinting this CD reviews.
Send inquiries to: celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com.
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At my web site you can also read other reviews for:
The House Band, Cry Cry Cry, Ed Miller, Jez Lowe, Lui Collins,
Richard Berman, Kate Wolf, Cheryl Wheeler, Richard Shindell,
Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, Chuck Brodsky, Utah Phillips,
Andrew Calhoun, Mustard's Retreat, Al Grierson, Ralph McTell,
The Battlefield Band, Mary Black, Dick Gaughan and Jack Hardy.
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Kevin McCarthy
mailto:celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com
Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews
http://www.surfnetusa.com/celtic-folk/index.html