The Bootlegger's Daughter - Rachel Harrington Album Review

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Album Review

When you’ve heard country-bluegrass singer Alison Krauss on record and live like I have, you know most singers are up against it. Rachel Harrington definitely is. She’s just an adequate singer who’s singing does, however, match her spine tingling music, which is exceptional. Lo-fi debut, Bootlegger’s Daughter, has some wonderful moments which will make this understated gem highly appealing to lovers of pure and simple Americana. Despite her lack of cultured tones she still manages to emanate warmth and sincerity, bringing back shades of Buffy Saint Marie. She even tackles Untitled as a Capella, doing a fine job too. Brought up in the wilds of Oregon, she delivers an outstanding rootsy template supported by a band of 12 top-notch musicians, and co-produced by Grammy winner Garey Shelton. Harrington’s rural gospel rootsy work has won her numerous accolades, winning the Gig Harbor Folk Festival song competition, in the process grabbing the attention of BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris, with this CD peaking on the Euro-Americana chart, some feat for a lady who hails from the Beaver State on the north west Pacific coastline. Steeped in the Deep South, the songs, using upright bass, mandolin, banjo, pedal steel amongst other multiple instruments, captures the mood to perfection. Each track glides by seamlessly and is a real audio delight even if you’re not a country fan, which over the years I have become. The nitty gritty is in the detail , which is the way the instrumentation melts together, and you suddenly forget Harrington’s lack of vocal class. Choosing an outstanding song is difficult as they are the work of a masterful songwriter on top of her game, and even more remarkable considering it’s her debut. Personal favourites are the banjo-fiddle blast of Blow, Walk To You dripping in sublime pedal steel, and summery shuffle of Summer’s Gone.

This is the kind of CD to sit and relax to without thinking you need to wear a Stetson and a bottle of the local poison to enjoy it.

File under : Classy.

Elly Roberts