Good morning, friends!
This week we've been getting to know Julia Kasdorf and today we have her recent release -MOTEL - on the player.
One of the many things I love about what I do is being introduced to things I might normally wouldn't picked up otherwise. MOTEL fits that category.
The album is comprised of eleven tracks, three of which are what Julia refers to as 'deep-catalog' covers she has put her unique signature on to make them almost indiscernable as anything but a Julia Kasdorf. In my opinion, that's the mark of a true artist.
Old Coat (a Peter Paul & Mary cover) sets the tone for a journey that will make you glad you got in the van. A little two-step with a soft Americana roots, opening the door for you to come along where ever the road may lead.
The lyrics for the title were inspired by a Motel Julia saw that beckoned her to pull over and check in/ check out the place. She never did but the track is a perfect example of how great songs come to be. Open your eyes and really let what you see become a part of you until you have to give the image a voice. The Minute I'm Gone has a deep bluesy sway reminiscent of those gentle curves in the road.
When I interviewed Julia, I mentioned the opening of Cool Water reminded me of John Denver. While the song is all Julia's, this is what she said in the songquibs accompanying my promo material - "Stumbled on this great drop D Riff - must have nabbed it from someone but I don't know who!"
One of Julia's musical influences from an early age was Peter Paul & Mary. Her passion for their style is evident in her cover of Long Chain. While recorded by PPM, the lyrics were masterfully composed by one of the greatest songwriters of his time, Jimmy Driftwood (biggest hits were Battle of New Orleans and Tennessee Stud). Of the PPM covers, I think their influence is most felt here as we hit those 'belly hills' we all enjoyed on car rides as kids.
The saxaphone bits (courtesy of Walter Tates) brings a new dimension to the album on Girls Gotta Know. This is not a bump in the road or even a pit stop, but more like picking up a very talented hitch hiker.
The Americana flavor comes in strong on Cold Saturday as Julia takes us back to her youth and things we understand as adults we couldn't see then.
We pick up speed on what Julia calls Walk Your Dog 'nonesense and a nod to her heroes', then slow to a coast on Reservations. This is a slow dance waiting to happen.
A Lover's Farewell (a Carter Family cover) showcases Lynn Kasdorf's pedal steel with a bare-toes on the dash kind of feel, while the intensity of the guitar in Blue Veil maps out the trip from coast to coast with a reflective look at what we've seen along the way.
Julia Kasdorf is a storyteller and that's part of what makes her an amazing artists. The individual tracks of MOTEL blend together well with all the straight-aways, hills, curves we all experience on this journey we call life.
Here's a video for the title track:
I'm tipping my hat:
You will find more of Julia on her WEBSITE as well as the following social media links:
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