Chip Taylor Red Dog Tracks CD

 like lovers
This may be the best cd of the year. Chip Taylor seems to be able to write really great, moving, uber-romantic, unusual and original songs in his sleep. I don't know how he does it, but I suspect this partnership with Carrie is fueling the creative fires. I can't even begin to do justice with my words to the marvels of this record. Not one less than fine song and mostly magnificent ones. So, a few quick comments. Chip has mastered the conversational song and the harmony song. On many numbers here, Chip and Carrie alternate verses as if having a conversation and then sing together on the choruses. This works beautifully--most notably on "Private Thoughts" and and "Red Dog Tracks" (the quality of the latter increased by its mysterious, "Ode to Billie Joe," storyline). When singing in harmony, no duo does it better. They must read each others' thoughts--as many of the song lyrics describe--to achieve such sympathetic vocals. This odd coupling--a beautiful young Texas fiddler with a lovely, expressive voice and a twang as thick as molasses and a much, much older world weary scribe who talks his words as often as he sings them--has evolved to some sort of perfection--almost as if lovers (again, read the lyrics) or at least musical lovers. Chip's (and sometimes Carrie's) amazing way with words is obvious everywhere. For example, her) I'M A SOFT PINK ROSE -- CLINGING TO THE VINE WAITIN' FOR YOU TO -- PICK ME OFF him) I AM THOSE RED DROPS ON YOUR HAND -- THAT LITTLE SPILL OF WINE COME ON -- JUST KISS ME OFF (from "Big Moon Shinin') HERE WE ARE TOGETHER -- NO MORE PRIVATE THOUGHTS ... MMM THERE'S A HOLE IN THE WEATHER THE SUMMER BREEZE REPLACED THE FROST from "Private Thoughts") I WONDER IF YOU STILL SEE ME -- WHEN YOUR EYES HAVE LEFT MY FACE I WONDER DO YOU STILL HOLD ME --WHEN YOUR HANDS HAVE LEFT MY WAIST (from "The Wonder of You") The funny, orginal Chip view of religion is amply displayed in the quite wonderful, "Son of Man:" WHEN THE LORD AIN'T LOOKIN' -- JUST SNEAK ON IN. There are a few other key players who contribute to the magnificence of this new recording: Bill Frisell's sensitive electric guitar, Richie Stearns' banjo, Carrie's fiddle, and Chip's harmonica are like four other singers here--so expressive is their playing. In a few places they jam fabulously: "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It," the instrumental "Elzick's Farewell (arranged by Carrie), and the "Jenny" reprise. In other places, the arrangements and sounds underlie one of the best studio recordings I've ever heard. Whether studio recorded (LET'S LEAVE THIS TOWN and THE TROUBLE WITH HUMANS) or live (most of the cuts on the ANGEL OF THE MORNING EP), they are simply infectious and true originals. If all this isn't enough, there's a killer version of Hank Williams' "I Can't Help it (if I'm Still in Love with You)"--slow, sexy and beautiful.
Submitted by David T. Steere, Jr. (Annapolis, MD, USA)
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