Music Review: Wishing Chair - Folk and Roll: Live in Austin - Page 2

"Boston" is followed by a more light-hearted and hopeful tune inspired by traditional fiddle tunes called "Fiddlin' On." The chorus is likely to bring a grin to the faces of those "in the know," as Heartwood cleverly incorporates the titles of some of the more famous reels. One might expect to hear fiddle on the song, but since neither she nor Davidson play it, that role is given to Davidson's versatile use of the accordion.

The third new song is "Sago," and it follows "Dishpan Brigade," which is about the Arnot, Pennsylvania, mine worker strike of 1899-1900. This was the first time that Mother Jones (Mary Harris) organized the wives and daughters of the mine workers into what became known as the dishpan brigade. It is fitting that this song, a fan favorite, should lead into Heartwood's touching tribute to the miners who lost their lives in the Sago disaster last year.

"Sago" is written from the perspective of an anonymous wife who lost her husband in the disaster, although it may have been inspired by one of the victims, Jim Bennett. Even though I have seen Heartwood perform it live, the first time I heard it on the recording, it brought tears to my eyes. She has a few biting words for the mining company and the media coverage, but mainly focuses on the loss and heartache of the mining families. The musical arrangement is a simple finger-picked acoustic guitar pattern backed by chords played delicately on the piano, with Heartwood singing solo. The song does what any good folk song is supposed to do: keep the memory of an event alive for future generations, so that we do what we have to do to prevent it from happening again.

Folk and Roll has a little bit of something for everyone. From newer arrangements of old favorites to brand new songs, the album straddles the line between being a best-of compilation and something fresh and different.

Article Author: Anna Creech

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

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