Start It Over
New West, 2021
8/10
A vocalist and guitarist for the New Orleans outfit The Deslondes, Riley Downing’s debut solo album continues the diverse and genuine song craft of his full band, where a one off tune with John James Tourville, also of The Deslondes, for a split 7” led into the 12 track of Start It Over.
“I’m Not Ready” starts the listen with warm piano alongside Downing’s gruff pipes that are complemented by gospel backing vocals in the soulful folk formula, and “Deep Breath” follows with Downing’s acoustic guitar alongside Jimmy Lester’s agile drumming and Dennis Crouch’s well timed upright bass.
Further along, “Looking Forward” enters calmer territory that benefits from Billy Contreras on strings, fiddle and violin as a poetic quality enters the cautious songwriting, while “Never Coming Home” thumps a bit more forcefully amid Tourville’s strategic pedal steel and Downing’s rugged singing. “Won’t Somebody Play”, an album highlight, then gets dreamy, where Peter Keys displays his soothing vibraphone skills.
Deeper yet, Tourville’s banjo prowess and Derry DeBorja’s synth work complement the soaring backing vocals of the spiritual climate of “Crazy”, and “I’m Right There With You” exits the listen with much grace and emotion in the precisely textured mix of soul, gospel, folk and country ideas.
Though we would never want The Deslondes to not exist, let’s hope that Downing finds more time for solo work, too, as his blues, soul, R&B, bluegrass and soul formula is pieced together in charming, often romantic ways on this very well thought out listen.
Travels well with: Melissa Carper- Daddy’s Country Gold; Thomas Csorba- Thomas Csorba