Release party at Irishtown
Misty Mamas produce delightful new CD
The title tune, Wild Rose of the Mountain by the Misty Mamas and composed by Sy Kahn, is one of the most exciting and delightful releases of any bluegrass or folk band in a long time. The refrain, "Honey from the honeycomb, water from the fountain, sugar from the sugar cane, wild rose of the mountain" is exquisitely charming.
Misty Mamas CD
The Misty Mamas are Carol Harley (banjo); Katherine Nitsch (guitar); Eileen Rocci, (upright bass); and April Parker (accordion). Of course they all sing. (Reference cover story PE&D March-April 2009 issue by Katie Naylor.)
Tune number five, Honey Would You Dance? composed by Nitsch, tells the story of a lady's first date with the man of her future with the words, "He asked me out for drinks and said he'd never dance, although it was my favorite thing to do." The sweetness of this tale makes it the antithesis of Bob Dylan's tune Man In The Long Black Coat. (This writer enjoys both songs but for different reasons.)
The song Bluegrass Mamas by Parker features her accordion skills as well as her singing. It's realistic and clever; it draws you in and entertains you with descriptions of how Parker's life as a wife and mother brings her to today and forever. One line says, in part, "..if you really love us, don't put halos above us, just help us with the dishes.."
The opening tune on this CD, Broke Down and Lonesome by King Wilke (courtesy of T. Pitney Music), isn't specifically a train song, but the harmony in certain phrases calls to mind the wail of a lonesome train whistle. This writer doesn't know if the original version is designed that way, but in describing life as "comin' round the bend," the analogy is not lost.
Train of No Regret, by Rocci, is a minor-key semi-spooker with the support of authentic bluegrass music under classic blues lyrics. Most telling is the line "Rock my weary heart to peace now, on that train of no regret.."
To understand how enjoyable this recording is, especially because you can see The Misty Mamas live and they are just as good as the record, you have to hear the CD. If you hear someone else's copy, you'll want to buy one for yourself, so don't listen unless you're ready to fall in love.
Tune number eight requires special mention: Ready For the Times To Get Better by A. Reynolds. This song has been featured as bumper music on the Coast to Coast AM radio program, from a recording by Crystal Gayle. That version is darker and emotionally troubling. For this writer, its appearance on a new recording was an intriguing surprise. The Misty Mamas version is very different from the one by Gayle in its instrumental harmony. The song always makes an impact, like an unidentified piece of space ephemera burning through the night sky, leaving a small but permanent concave scar on the skin of the earth.
Watch for CD release parties at the Airplay Cafe, 701 E. Burnside on April 17 and Irishtown Bar and Grill at 11600 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Wash., on April 18. Visit www.mistymamas.com for CD purchase and live performance information, or call 360-576-7676. Also, see Bandstand this issue.
To borrow a phrase, "If Wild Rose of the Mountain doesn't send you, you have no place to go."