HOOK AND ANCHOR
2014 – Jealous Butcher/Woodphone Records
This terrific album provides yet more proof if needed that it is important to stick with an album that on first listen didn’t quite grab you because it is always possible that it may be a ‘grower!’ Such is the case here on this recording whose arrangements are perhaps a little unusual at times; not just for the sake of being different but nice subtle blends and a mix of tempos and changes. I’ve seen this band described variously (and sometimes collectively!) as country, folk, and rock and roll but to that should be added a strong pop sensibility, not to such a degree that roots officianados should be put off, more by way of some of the powerful and catchy melodies. It may even be a recording that will appeal to the ‘mainstream!’
The band consists of ex ‘Blind Pilot’ member Kati Claborn on vocals, banjo, ukulele and guitar, Eric Clampitt, vocals, electric guitar and pedal steel, old-time music veteran Gabrielle Macrae on vocals and violin, and fellow Blind Piloters Luke Ydstie plays bass, piano and vocals and Ryan Dobrowski on drums. All hugely talented musicians who were put together by Claborn and Clampitt to play a show and showcase Claborn’s songs but they realized immediately that with all this talent something special was taking shape. Kati’s vocals are quite incredible on this beautifully blended album of diverse styles. Her quality is such that you get the feeling she has to sometimes rein herself in but it doesn’t make much difference; her vocal style is still an instrument of great beauty and versatility as are her tremendous songs. The voice and the songs are two things that ordinarily would make this a stand out album but when you add the quality of the bands playing and the incredible arrangements this is a recording that could and in all probability will be in most listeners best of year lists. A real bonus on this album is that whilst most songs are written and sung by Kati Claborn, even more diversity is added by the fact that Clampitt, Ydsie and Macrae also have writing credits and a few lead vocals, not just to placate these talented musicians, but an input that is very much essential to this exquisite ‘band’ recording.
The album opens with Famously Easy driven by a lovely chunky bass guitar on an excellent country song with Kati’s beautiful expressive vocals, crying steel guitar and subtle keyboards blending perfectly, supported by excellent thudding percussion, all combining to drive the song at an easy mid tempo. Immediately following this beautiful composition we’re into ‘countrified pop’ that has the feel of ‘Fleetwood Mac mark 2’ on Wild Wind, with another slightly unusual arrangement on a gorgeous melodious tale that could easily have been penned and sung by Lindsay Buckingham! It starts with a lovely chiming banjo before duet harmonies come in, joined by sawing fiddle on a song that could In many ways be placed under the country rock banner and yet it blends with a folksy pop rock sensibility to provide a pretty much unique experience, but an intensely melodic one. Concerning Spectral Pinching is an extraordinary song. It starts with an ‘old timey’ fiddle intro before Kati’s gorgeous lead vocal joins in aided by an incessant guitar deeper in the mix and underpinned by an excellent bass foundation, eventually joined by atmospheric twangy guitar. At the beginning it has the feel of an old ‘country and western’ song but then takes in more modern instruments as well as the fiddle and banjo. Stylistically it veers wildly between country, old timey, pop, folk and rock and yet it works brilliantly, literally producing something for everyone in the space of just one composition. Hard Times has Gabrielle Macrae’s beautiful lead vocal with yet again stunning harmonies, weeping steel guitar and an excellent bass and percussion platform with banjo sometimes intervening. A real beauty of a country song, that yet again has an indefinable and unusual quality. Light Of The Moon is another terrific song, with sawing fiddle lead and gorgeous banjo working away in the background and Kati’s beautiful edgy vocal supported by the usual exquisite harmonies. There is a powerful old timey texture allied to a sometimes Cajun feel steeped in a rurality that has the homely comfort of an old pair of carpet slippers! Simply gorgeous. No It’s Not is slow and moody with a percussion that increases the power as the song gradually builds the tension and passion before eventually the sawing fiddle joins in to cap an unusual song and arrangement that gradually peaks with a controlled crescendo.
It is almost impossible to sum up this recording in just a few final words. The songwriting is varied but of the highest quality, as are the tremendous vocals, the playing is always masterful and the arrangements just couldn’t be bettered; in a nutshell, a perfect album made by diverse elements (the musicians!) each putting their own personal stamp on a recording that has a virtually perfect flow. I wouldn’t have thought it possible to blend so many sub genres into such a beautiful set but Hook and Anchor have most definitely managed it. Thank goodness I had just enough sense to give this tremendous album another chance!
http://hookandanchorband.com/
This terrific album provides yet more proof if needed that it is important to stick with an album that on first listen didn’t quite grab you because it is always possible that it may be a ‘grower!’ Such is the case here on this recording whose arrangements are perhaps a little unusual at times; not just for the sake of being different but nice subtle blends and a mix of tempos and changes. I’ve seen this band described variously (and sometimes collectively!) as country, folk, and rock and roll but to that should be added a strong pop sensibility, not to such a degree that roots officianados should be put off, more by way of some of the powerful and catchy melodies. It may even be a recording that will appeal to the ‘mainstream!’
The band consists of ex ‘Blind Pilot’ member Kati Claborn on vocals, banjo, ukulele and guitar, Eric Clampitt, vocals, electric guitar and pedal steel, old-time music veteran Gabrielle Macrae on vocals and violin, and fellow Blind Piloters Luke Ydstie plays bass, piano and vocals and Ryan Dobrowski on drums. All hugely talented musicians who were put together by Claborn and Clampitt to play a show and showcase Claborn’s songs but they realized immediately that with all this talent something special was taking shape. Kati’s vocals are quite incredible on this beautifully blended album of diverse styles. Her quality is such that you get the feeling she has to sometimes rein herself in but it doesn’t make much difference; her vocal style is still an instrument of great beauty and versatility as are her tremendous songs. The voice and the songs are two things that ordinarily would make this a stand out album but when you add the quality of the bands playing and the incredible arrangements this is a recording that could and in all probability will be in most listeners best of year lists. A real bonus on this album is that whilst most songs are written and sung by Kati Claborn, even more diversity is added by the fact that Clampitt, Ydsie and Macrae also have writing credits and a few lead vocals, not just to placate these talented musicians, but an input that is very much essential to this exquisite ‘band’ recording.
The album opens with Famously Easy driven by a lovely chunky bass guitar on an excellent country song with Kati’s beautiful expressive vocals, crying steel guitar and subtle keyboards blending perfectly, supported by excellent thudding percussion, all combining to drive the song at an easy mid tempo. Immediately following this beautiful composition we’re into ‘countrified pop’ that has the feel of ‘Fleetwood Mac mark 2’ on Wild Wind, with another slightly unusual arrangement on a gorgeous melodious tale that could easily have been penned and sung by Lindsay Buckingham! It starts with a lovely chiming banjo before duet harmonies come in, joined by sawing fiddle on a song that could In many ways be placed under the country rock banner and yet it blends with a folksy pop rock sensibility to provide a pretty much unique experience, but an intensely melodic one. Concerning Spectral Pinching is an extraordinary song. It starts with an ‘old timey’ fiddle intro before Kati’s gorgeous lead vocal joins in aided by an incessant guitar deeper in the mix and underpinned by an excellent bass foundation, eventually joined by atmospheric twangy guitar. At the beginning it has the feel of an old ‘country and western’ song but then takes in more modern instruments as well as the fiddle and banjo. Stylistically it veers wildly between country, old timey, pop, folk and rock and yet it works brilliantly, literally producing something for everyone in the space of just one composition. Hard Times has Gabrielle Macrae’s beautiful lead vocal with yet again stunning harmonies, weeping steel guitar and an excellent bass and percussion platform with banjo sometimes intervening. A real beauty of a country song, that yet again has an indefinable and unusual quality. Light Of The Moon is another terrific song, with sawing fiddle lead and gorgeous banjo working away in the background and Kati’s beautiful edgy vocal supported by the usual exquisite harmonies. There is a powerful old timey texture allied to a sometimes Cajun feel steeped in a rurality that has the homely comfort of an old pair of carpet slippers! Simply gorgeous. No It’s Not is slow and moody with a percussion that increases the power as the song gradually builds the tension and passion before eventually the sawing fiddle joins in to cap an unusual song and arrangement that gradually peaks with a controlled crescendo.
It is almost impossible to sum up this recording in just a few final words. The songwriting is varied but of the highest quality, as are the tremendous vocals, the playing is always masterful and the arrangements just couldn’t be bettered; in a nutshell, a perfect album made by diverse elements (the musicians!) each putting their own personal stamp on a recording that has a virtually perfect flow. I wouldn’t have thought it possible to blend so many sub genres into such a beautiful set but Hook and Anchor have most definitely managed it. Thank goodness I had just enough sense to give this tremendous album another chance!
http://hookandanchorband.com/