Bones
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Melissa Ruth illuminates life in the Pacific Northwest with these songs of dreams, history, love and her father’s time in a residential school for Russian children, and she’s got some excellent help to flesh out the thoughtful tracks.
The listen begins with the warm melody of “Edith Piaf”, where Matt Hill’s cozy keys are met with Ruth’s emotive singing and Johnny Leal’s radiant guitar playing, and “Passage Of Stars” follows with a dreamy approach that showcases Scoop McGuire’s skilled bass and Cameron Siegal’s agile drumming in the diverse folk presence.
The half way point belongs to the powerful “A Good Man”, where Ruth handles rhythm guitar precisely, while “Wild Roses” has Hill navigating trumpet for the darker spirited and very eloquent demeanor.
The pace picks up significantly towards the end, where the thumping retro-rock of “Yoncalla Moon”, the best track, swaggers with a dynamic rhythm section, and “Bones” exits the listen with a stirring intimacy that allows Ruth’s gripping voice to shine in the soulful, bluesy finish.
A listen that assembles bits of Americana, folk, country, and nostalgic versions of rock, Ruth’s rural formula is one that uses sharp imagery and rich musicianship that resonates much longer than the 10 tracks present.
Travels well with: Jake Ybarra- Something In The Water; Steve Dawson- Eyes Closed, Dreaming