Two Singing Songs
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The multi-instrumentalist and powerful storyteller Ben Gage brings us 10 very personal songs, where Dan Socha and Tuck Mindrum accompanies him for a folk-friendly and heart felt listen.
“Company” opens the record with warm acoustic guitar and soft, very poetic singing in the bare climate that uses Gage’s harmonica with much care, and “Blue Bird” follows with a quicker pace of playful guitar and a dreamy backdrop.
Halfway through, the highly expressive “Messenger Bird” comes with light melodies and much sincerity, while “Cold Finger Blues” is a fuller, bluesy album highlight that uses drums strategically amid the cozy harmonica and soulful singing.
“Losing Steam” and “Wish” exit the listen, where the former is a gentle duet of back to basics, stripped back folk songwriting, and the latter brings talk/singing to the intimate storytelling of the charming finish.
A listen that balances the ideas of love and sorrow, Gage and company blend bits of Americana, roots and blues into their personal but universally relatable and timeless vision.
Travels well with: Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus- Big Red Gibson; Jared Dustin Griffin- Battle Cry Mercy