We’ll Tell Stories
Infinidad, 2021
8/10
The folk-roots singer/songwriter Mary Lou Fulton creates an impressive debut here, where her bilingual approach and political and personal wordplay is illuminated by producer Rob Seals, who also plays guitar, banjo and dobro on the album.
Fulton starts the listen with Carl Byron’s warm keys on “Red, White & Blue”, where her eloquent pipes steer a very graceful folk song, and “We’ll Tell Stories (remix)” follows with a calm, poetic approach where soft singing aligns with light, charming music.
Halfway through, “Eggshell” gets dreamy amid Fulton’s heartfelt storytelling and Byron’s agile keys, while “Come Along” recruits Ryan Brown’s playful drumming as a soulful spirit enters the insightful and stirring song craft. “Might Have Been”, the album’s best, then emits breezy melodies alongside the thoughtful, expressive and romantic landscape.
Moving towards the end, the intimate “Silvy” is sung in both English and Spanish and benefits from Seals’ banjo, and “El Corrido de Suaqui” exits the listen entirely in Spanish, where Byron’s accordion contributes to the cultured finish that tells the story of Fulton’s mother’s village being decimated to make for a dam.
Fulton has a background as a journalist and is the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, which gives her a unique perspective on today’s political climate, though her eloquent, personal songs are equally inviting on this excellent first album.
Travels well with: Jackson Browne- Downhill From Everywhere; Laura Nyro- Tree Of Ages