Mary Gauthier, who was born in New Orleans to a mother she
never knew and given up for adoption, had a troubled childhood that led to
problems with alcohol and drugs. By the 1990s, she was clean and channeling her
creativity into songwriting and performing emerging with her first album in
1997 at age 35. She has since released seven more albums of no nonsense,
melodic songs that go deep into the soul and mind.
Live at Blue Rock, her first album recorded in concert,
includes eight of her best songs and three superbly-interpreted songs by
Canadian songwriter Fred Eaglesmith.
Among the strongest tracks are “I Drink,” a brutally honest
first-person account of alcoholism rooted in an abusive childhood; “Karla
Faye,” a harrowing narrative about Karla Faye Tucker, a murderer and the first
woman to be executed in Texas since 1863; “Blood is Blood,” an expression of
feelings by a woman who grew up not knowing anything about her birth parents;
and “Wheel Inside the Wheel,” an epic song inspired by the circle of life as
represented in an ultimate New Orleans Mardi Gras parade.
The Eaglesmith material is highlighted by “The Rocket,”
which brilliantly captures the feelings of an old man at a train station
watching the trains roll in and out with his lifetime’s memories.
Mary’s conversational singing style and seemingly effortless
melodies draw you into these compelling songs and never let go. Her singing and
guitar playing are nicely complemented by contributions from percussionist Mike
Meadows and Duhks fiddler Tania Elizabeth.
Mary has several Canadian concert dates coming up including
October 9 at Hugh’s Room in Toronto; October 10 at the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage in Ottawa; October 11 at Le Divan Orange in Montreal; and, October
12 at the Branch Restaurant in Kemptville.
--Mike Regenstreif
No comments:
Post a Comment