Endless Grace
MaidenRock, 2022
9/10
The veteran singer-songwriter and guitartist Deidre McCalla returns with a 5th independent album, and much like everything she’s done it’s full of powerful, honest and very literate song craft that surrounds the human spirit.
“When The Ground Shifts” leads the listen with much attention to mood, where keys and flugelhorn accompany the acoustic guitar on a tune about the magnitude of the pandemic, and “Shoulder To The Wheel” follows with a Celtic meets country feel that recruits fiddle, dobro and bodhrán percussion for the unique and timeless energy.
Further along, “One Foot” emits a Caribbean demeanor that’s got plenty of rhythm in the feel good atmosphere, while “Even Now” strips the setting bare with much intimacy that discusses a profound loss and benefits from soft piano and McCalla’s soulful pipes.
Nearing the end, “That’s How We Pray” uses violin, piano, and polyrhythmic hand percussion for the album highlight that discusses human resiliency with a celebratory climate, and “I Do Not Walk This Path Alone” exits the listen full of country, R&B, folk and gospel sensibilities that are anthemic and praises those whose shoulders we stand.
A Black woman, mother, activist, lesbian, feminist and active songwriter for nearly 50 years, McCalla pens a very wise and eloquent record that should be required listening in these very turbulent, uncertain times.
Travels well with: Edie Carey- The Veil; Wes Collins- Jabberwackies