Daddy’s Country Gold
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
Listen to Daddy’s Country Gold
The singer-songwriter, upright bassist and nomad Melissa Carper sounds like she was born a century ago, where these country, swing and jazz songs often seem like they would emanate from a speakeasy with her old fashioned and heartfelt songwriting immediately drawing us in.
“Makin’ Memories” starts the listen with light keys, brushed drums, and, most importantly, Carper’s inimitable, vintage vocals on the jazz tinted opener, and “I Almost Forgot About You” follows with a bare approach that’s full of expressive singing, gentle piano and emotive strings that seems like it would fit on the AM dial.
Further down the line, the playful “Would You Like To Get Some Goats?” is a quick display of dance friendly song craft, while “My Old Chevy Van” flows with a timeless country spirit that’s imbued with much beauty. “Arkansas Hills’, an album highlight, then displays glorious pedal steel and fiddle acrobatics in the precise and playful climate.
Close to the end, “Many Moons Ago” is a melodic and warm display of retro nods amid classic country at its best, and “The Stars Are Aligned” exits the listen with soaring strings and an emotive quality where much intimacy is explored in her unique and very distinct vision.
Also a player in Sad Daddy, Buffalo Gals and The Carper Family, Carper is a seasoned vet and delivers like one on this truly timeless and captivating effort where some of Nashville’s finest session players contribute accordion, rhythm guitar, and violin, among many others.
Travels well with: Pokey LaFarge- Rock Bottom Rhapsody; The Devil Makes Three- Chains Are Broken