Thing Of The Past - Vetiver Album Review

Vetiver - Photo: Alissa Anderson link

Album Review

Oldies. With new values.

Driving through the sparse north Wales countryside seemed an appropriate place to listen to Vetiver's wonderful Thing Of The Past.

It reminded me of a similar journey through Wisconsin's undulating landscape 13 years ago. The title is also a clue. Essentially, Vetiver is a country band lead by Andy Cabic) a buddy of the brilliant Devendra Banhart (who occasionally joins them) cellist Alissa Anderson (who adds some divine vocals too) drummer Otto Hauser, violinist Carmen Biggers, guitarists Kevin Barker and Sanders Trippe and bassist Brent Dunn. Thing Of The Past is respectfully dedicated to Cabic's heroes, as he unearths songs which might otherwise have been well forgotten from the late 60s to early 70s. For this reviewer alone, it's brought a great deal of pleasure and it will to you too.

For some fans it might be considered a retrograde step - not at all.

It might prove, in the future, to be inspirational for them, and others - music lovers. It does take some courage attempting a covers album, but when you've got top class production by country specialist Pernice Brothers' Thom Monahan, it helps. They stamp their ideas perfectly with acoustic lead rambler Houses by forgotten Canadian Elyse Weinberg followed by Daryl Adams' gorgeous drifting swing Roll On Babe. When they hit Sleep A Million Years by Dia Joyce, (recorded some 40 years ago by obscure artist Kathy Heiderman) ,featuring musical stable-mate Yashti Bunyan's sublime vocals, they strike gold. Matthews Southern Comfort's 1970 track from Later That Same Year - Road To Ronderlin - is a quaint and delicate ballad, beautifully handled.

The biggest surprise is choosing a song by Brit space -rockers Hawkwind - Hurry On Sundown (1970), though their cover makes absolute sense because the original, a lightweight rocker by their standards, is a great song featuring rasping countrified-blues harmonica. Vetiver simply make it their own due to the exquisite country credentials, retaining the romp, making it the most exhilarating of them all - pure brilliance. More class ensues on Loudon Wainwright's The Swimming Song, covered by Kate and Annie McGarrigle, retaining the rootsy / bluegrass feel, though without the original's gusto. Another major highlight is Cabic joined by writer of Blue Driver - 67 year-old Michael Hurley on a groovy country boogie.

Standin', by enigmatic country legend Townes Van Zandt is a smooth 'chuggernaut' and great follower-on to Blue Driver. And finally, where it all began. Bobby Charles's sublime lo-fi ballad, I Must In A Good Place Now..." Apple trees blooming all around / I must be in a good place now / Sunshine coming / A rainbow colored sky..." summed up my time and place on the road home.

File under : Nice one Andy !

Elly Roberts