Outsider
Mesa Blueroom, 2022
9/10
The Nashville resident Jackie Bristow sure is in fine company here, where a large handful of Americana all-stars from her hometown help her flesh out these soul, country, folk and roots flavored tunes.
“Livin’ For Love” starts the listen with Bristow’s soulful pipes alongside warm banjo, Hammond organ and playful drumming from Greg Morrow for the cozy opener, and “Shakin’ My Bones” follows with a gorgeous guitar tone amid the poetic singing and eloquent atmosphere.
Nearing the middle, “Tennessee You Call Me Home” recruits trumpet and flugelhorn thanks to Mike Haynes and sax from Sam Levine for a nearly gospel delivery, while “Fool For You” moves with a stirring intimacy that benefits much from graceful piano and mature strings in the powerful and dreamy album highlight.
Close to the end, “Rockin’ Chair” showcases Joe Davies’ aching pedal steel as Bristow’s soothing vocals really do draw us in, and “Easy Road” exits the listen with mandolin by Mark Punch to complement the wise singing and lush melodies.
This is Bristow’s 5th album, and it’s a varied affair where unplugged and electric instruments are met with strings and horns for the aptly titled listen which again proves that although the New Zealand native might be iconoclastic, her unique brand of Americana just may prove to be one of the year’s best.
Travels well with: Brigitte Demeyer- Seeker; Lynne Hanson- Just Words