Mountain City Four
Omnivore, 2022
8/10
A Montreal folk outfit who were active from 1963-1967, Jack Nissenson, Peter Weldon, Kate McGarrigle and Anna McGarrigle, i.e. Mountain City Four, made quite an impression during their short existence, and here 15 previously unreleased recordings are resurrected.
“Jesulein Suss/Will The Circle Be Unbroken” starts the listen with the voices harmonizing with much warmth that’s accompanied by hand clapping, and “Mean Old Frisco” follows with a spoken intro that segues into the acoustic guitar climate that recruits rhythms and blues.
Further on, the gorgeous harmonies of “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” illustrates an incredible range with a bare drum and banjo acrobatics providing the instrumentation, while “Walk That Lonesome Valley” offers a call and response singing that embraces a soulful, gospel demeanor.
Close to the end, “All The Good Times” emits timeless folk influences in the mountain-esque song craft, and “Shenandoah” exits with cozy harmonica and elegant piano to complement the spiritual and powerful finish.
For most of us, this will be an introduction to the 4 bright talents of Mountain City Four, and it sure captures the essence of the ‘60s folk scene perfectly. The packaging is excellent, too, and contains photos and liner notes from Weldon, both Jane and Anna McGarrigle, and Joe Boyd, which traces the history and shares memories of the Mountain City Four.
Travels well with: John Fullbright- The Liar; Ian & Sylvia- The Lost Tapes