Uranium Maiden
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The veteran musician Kate MacLeod is nothing if not diverse, and her history of studying classical, Celtic, folk, rock, bluegrass and many other sounds is certainly present across these very hearfelt and literate songs that take help from 22+ artists.
“Now Is The Time To Be Alive” opens the listen with no shortage of warmth amid Emmanuel Tellier’s piano as MacLeod’s cozy vocals draw us in immediately, and “Time Zone” follows with gorgeous harmony and acoustic guitar from Morgan Snow.
Elsewhere on disc 1, “Apology To The Native Rock” shimmers with much organic beauty in the thoughtful instrumental, while “Shadow Changes” welcomes Kurt Bestor’s keys and Mark Chaney’s drums to the timeless folk song craft.
Disc 2 brings us the spirited harmonica and strategic bass from Robert Dow as much cautious Americana flows with grace across “Lightning Man Dreaming”, and “A Fire I Can Borrow From” recruits Mandy Danzig’s mandolin, Mary Otterstrom’s harmony fiddle and Harold Carr’s acoustic bass to the gentle and poetic landscape.
Deeper still, “Butch Cassidy Was Here” showcases MacLeod’s vivid storytelling alongside Mark Hazel’s harmony and Dow’s eloquent bass, and “Every Year Among The Pines” exits the listen with the glowing pedal steel thanks to Dan Salini, where plenty of bluegrass sensibilities reside.
An album that represents MacLeod’s life-long experience living in the American west, the music present certainly mirrors the beauty of that landscape, and her guitar, violin and mountain dulcimer helps make these songs moments that illuminate the human experience in profound ways.
Travels well with: Single Girl, Married Girl- Three Generations Of Leaving; Terry Klein- Tex