RIVERLAND,
the sophomore album from Eric Brace, Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz is a true
piece of Americana music.
This album
hits close to home for me. As I write this review, my husband, a riverboat
captain, has been gone for three weeks. He will likely be out another two. He
has been on the river for thirty-seven years. With the exception of a short
stint on the Arkansas, he has always worked on the Upper Illinois/ canals. But
no matter what river you’re on, there’s a bond. The work is hard, the weather
can be harsh and the water unforgivable. Still, there are men like my husband
who can’t imagine working anywhere else. You are either a river rat or you’re a
lander.
There is a
magic in this album. From the step off into River City to Mississippi, Rest My Soul
you’ll find yourself caught up in the picturesque view of the boats making
their way along the Mississippi River. You’ll feel the weariness of the crew
stepping back on land after a long twelve hours (or more) of back-breaking
labor hauling lines and torquing wrenches. You’ll understand why the Captain
seldom takes off his shades. The sun’s glare reflecting off the rippling water –
directly into his line of sight as he stresses over the safety of his crew
while making time up… time lost due to hitches like a lock delay, ice or fog
shut out.
All rivers
carry their own story but the Mississippi is special. From stories of survival
passed down through generations, to its place in the Civil War. This river has
seen racial strife from slavery to segregation. Brace, Cooper and Jutz, with
the help of some friends bear the river’s soul on fourteen tracks.
I’ve always
believed an album should have a core that, like the hub, that the individual
tracks feed from. RIVERLAND has a core the stories and reminiscences radiate
from, allowing the tunes to roll seamlessly from one to the other, flowing much
smoother than the river they embody.
Two tracks
have a flavor of their own. Southern Mule will have you tapping your toes while
Old Tom T (Hall) and Brother Will D. (Campbell) tells the story of a friendship
most of us never knew about. Thomm provides the voice for Tom T. Hall and Peter
walks in the voice of Will D. Campbell
I’ve
listened to this CD at least twice a day since opening up the album. Part of
the time I’m missing my husband, but then I’m reminded his job, in a lot of
ways, is much easier than of river men past. The dangers are still there but
like others before him and those that ride the river today, he works hard on a
job a lot of men can’t handle to make a living for us.
Today, I
dedicate this review to my husband, Captain Bob Henkins of the Illinois
Michigan Oil company and the deckhands who entrust their safety to him every
time they fire up the engines.
To all the
men and women out on the rivers… Be Safe.
This is an album that belongs on the 2019 Best list, for sure. I'm tipping my hat:
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