The Long Way Home
Soulful Cricket, 2021
8/10
A Maine singer-songwriter who plays sincere and sweet songs about nature, social justice and feelings, Carole Wise surrounds herself with local musicians to help flesh out these timeless, universal folk tunes.
“View From Our Window” opens the listen with Wise’s soothing and sage like vocals alongside warm acoustic strumming and light electric guitar thanks to Denny Breau, which gives the track some blues flavor, and “New Frontier” continues with gorgeous cello from April Reed-Cox in the very expressive and emotive folk climate.
“Listen In”, one of the album’s best, lands in the middle and recruits acoustic bass, tin whistle and bodhrán from Jud Caswell to complement the dreamy landscape, while “Long Way Home” flirts with Americana ideas as David Wakefield’s well timed harmonica and Mike Burd’s bass give the song a breezy feel.
“Make Your Own Way” resides near the end, and brings back Breau on guitar, where Wise’s indeed wise singing is easily relatable in the swift atmosphere, and “Now And Here” exits the listen with Reed-Cox’s subtle cello adding much grace to the mid-tempo finish.
A very heartfelt and literate listen that will strike a chord with anyone who appreciates folk sounds from any generation, Wise and company make the most out of each of these 9 songs present, with careful attention to wordplay and instrumentation that’s very much appreciated.
Travels well with: Josie Bello- Have Purpose Live Long; Megan Lacy- Salvation