Bayou St. John
Skippy, 2023
8/10
The 6th album from the multi-instrumentalist Gregg Hill, these 8 songs also showcase the talents of Doug Belote, Roland Guerin, Joy Clark, Lynn Drury and Jesse Hill.
The warm and cozy “Places In Between” opens the listen with Belote’s thumping drums alongside Hill’s distinct voice and fluid guitar playing, and “New Orleans Again” follows with the expressive storytelling that tells of his life in the Big Easy, and it welcomes soulful backing vocals, too.
In the middle, the aptly titled “One Minute Song” offers a raw folk tune that strums with a timeless charm, while the upbeat “Magnolia Bridge” uses Guerin’s upright bass for the rhythmic and dance floor friendly album highlight.
“Pooh Nanny” and “Old Like Me” exit the listen, where the former emits singing, talking and vocal harmonies with much beauty, and the latter benefits from the frisky rhythm section and Hill’s inimitable delivery of vivid storytelling.
A listen that made its way onto several charts, Hill and company tell tales of life on the bayou, and it embraces all that we love about Americana, folk and country via his very friendly and memorable songwriting.
Travels well with: Crowes Pasture- Don’t Blink; Melissa Ruth- Bones