In The Blossom Of Their Shade
New West, 2021
9/10
Listen to In The Blossom Of Their Shade
Prior to the pandemic, Pokey LaFarge was in a pretty ominous place, as evidenced by his forthright album, Rock Bottom Rhapsody. However, 2020 actually provided LaFarge a period to settle down, reflect, and really take stock of his art and its direction, which brings us to this very mature 10th record.
“Get It ‘Fore It’s Gone” starts the listen with LaFarge’s trademark old time feel, where Lady Blackbird’s harmony vocals and Scott Ligon’s well timed organ make for a memorable opener, and “Mi Ideal” follows with LaFarge’s acoustic strumming complementing his soft vocals in the breezy climate.
Entering the middle, “Drink Of You” flows with much emotion as Alex Hall’s drums and vibraphone and Doug Corcoran’s lap steel add much to the pretty landscape, while “Rotterdam” bops with a playful energy that benefits from Joel Paterson’s electric guitar and Beau Sample’s upright bass prowess. “Long For The Heaven I Seek”, an album standout, then enters balladry, where a gospel spirit guides the reflective delivery that’s quite stirring.
Approaching the end, “Yo-Yo” offers another gentle tune, where Ligon handles nylon string guitar and piano in the dreamy setting as LaFarge hits some pretty high notes, and “Goodnight, Goodbye (Hope Not Forever)” exits the listen with a very graceful and poetic finish that truly shows LaFarge’s profound self-examination.
A much brighter body of work this time around, LaFarge really expands on his lyrical abilities here, and the melodies, grooves and sophistication illustrates another avenue of songwriting that has LaFarge creating a career high record.
Travels well with: The Felice Brothers- From Dreams To Dust; Amy LaVere- Painting Blue