TALK TO A
HUMAN is an embodiment of Terri Hendrix. While the tunes may carry a party
atmosphere, there is an undercurrent message flowing like a trickle through a
creek bed… a message with which most of us can identify.
Talk To A Human,
with its slam poetry style, kicks off the line-up like a match strike to a
fuse. You can hear the sizzle as you move into Mia Madre and the tribulations
of coming into womanhood. The tempo carries a celebratory note before gliding
into the slower pace of life through Choices, Way Over Yonder in a Minor Key
and Don’t Meddle in My Mood (Billy Bragg/ Woody Guthrie cover).
Life is full
of highs and lows, and like the rest of us, Terri has experienced them. From
health issues to the loss of her sister, Terri keeps pushing through. Dogging Me carries that same persistence in both the toe-tapping beat and harmonica.
Part of what
makes Terri Hendrix’ style so unique is her ability to tie a series of albums
together in one project… like Russian nesting dolls. Each builds on the one previous.
WASP ties back to (Who Is Ann?) from Project 5.4 as well as (Texas Star) from Love
You Strong from Project 5.1
Worthy is
not only expressed through the lyrics but in the many friends who came together
to make Talk To A Human possible. Lloyd Maines, with whom she’s been playing
music with so long their names are almost synonymous one with the other,
co-produces the album as well as shares his award-winning talent on guitar,
dobro, pedal steel, mandolin, banjo, papoose, bass and ukulele. Glenn Fukanaga
(bass), Pat Manske (drums, percussion, keypads), John Silva (drums,
percussion), Riley Osbourn (keyboards), Drew Womack (harmonies) and Jeanne Ply
(fiddle) come together in a harmonious celebration of life.
You’ll find
one of the most vivid compositions on this album in The Dark (Guy Clark). While this is a cover, it’s Terri’s rendition
that brings the imagery to life. I could see the campfire flames licking
towards a black velvet sky as well as feel as if I were sitting somewhere high,
looking out over the lights of Ft. Worth – It’s
so dark you can see Ft. Worth from here. Each word illuminates the things
we can only see in The Dark, as well as often miss.
Her mastery
of storytelling shines like a candle flame, but most of all in The Water is
Wide while I Hear Your Song could almost be autobiographical.
I can see
the musical influences Terri spoke of in our interview (See Yesterday’s post).
I also heard notes of Judy Collins but more than anything I hear her ability to
take those influences into her soul and make them a part of her passion for
inclusiveness as well as diversity and life.
I mentioned, The Texas Strong earlier. Here's the video:
The depth of
Terri Hendrix’s abilities shine like a beacon from her soul, illuminated in each
track on Talk To A Human. The album releases September 6, 2019
I’m tipping my hat:
Photo Credit : Kim Maguire
You will find Terri Hendrix on a wide variety of social media platforms:
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