Meet Me In The Middle
VizzTone, 2020
8/10
Listen to Meet Me In The Middle
We’re used to Erin Harpe playing with her esteemed band The Delta Swingers, but this time she’s just in the company of her husband, Jim Countryman, as the pair offer intimate song craft that often goes back to Harpe’s country blues roots.
Harpe starts the listen with the intricate guitar of “All Night Long”, where her strong vocals are complemented with backing vocals in the bluesy, Americana setting, and “Hard Luck Woman” follows with plenty of soul amid some warm folk spirit that’s immediately memorable.
At the halfway point, “I Hate That Train Called The M&O” recruits gospel influences where Harpe’s soaring pipes are on display, while “Rollin’ And Tumblin’” moves with a playful approach as the interplay with Countryman is both sublime and dynamic. “Pick Poor Robin Clean”, one of the album’s best, then showcases a quirky, yet charming landscape with some strategic vocal scatting.
Close to the end, “What’s The Matter With The Mill” flows with an exceptional blues appeal, and “One Fine Day” exits the listen cautious and country influenced, as a soothing climate helps the record finish on a very high note.
Harpe’s finger-style guitar work is in fine form here, and much like everything she’s released in recent years, it’s full of timeless originals and well done traditionals as she plays acoustic, slide, and 12 string guitar, as well as kazoo and foot percussion. Yet another quality release in her catalog, Harpe’s stripped back concept is yet another area she excels in.
Travels well with: Rory Block- Prove It On Me; Heather Newman- Rise From The Flames