Row
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
The always creative Dawn Landes returns with a concept record about the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, Tori Murden McClure, and she’s got 8 vocalists helping her and a small army of musicians, too.
“Independent Spirit” starts the lengthy listen with bright percussion as Landes’ soaring and pretty vocals steer the busy, melodic setting, and “Mount Everest” follows with a much quieter approach as delicate singing aligns with sublime intimacy.
Further on, “Ode To Eric Fee” offers a jangly duet of playful folk-rock, while “First Storm, Moby Dick” is a vocally expressive and very full excursion into a theatric atmosphere. “Oh Amelia”, the stand out track on the first half, then resides in bare beauty where Brigid Kaelin lends her proficient pipes and Rachel Grimes comes through with deft piano.
Back half highlights include the harmonic backing vocals and warm keys of the soothing “Second Storm, Hamlet”, as well as the moving and adventurous “Home Of The Brave”. “Third Storm, King Lear”, the best track near the end, recruits the rhythm section of James Haggerty (bass) and Sam Smith (drums) across a cinematic, orchestral feel that gets quite dreamy, too.
A musical that took 7 years to complete, Landes and company offer Motown moments, funk fun, and even some country nods amid the folk and Americana leanings of this extremely well thought out and very precisely executed project that’s yet another top notch release in Landes’ fine catalog.
Travels well with: Emily Jane White- Ode To Sentience; Jesca Hoop- The House That Jack Built