–Roots Time, Belgium
Release Date: 21 May 2009
Genre: Roots/Americana/Traditional
Publisher: (C) 2009 String Bone
Label: No Label Affiliation
Time: 46m 12s
Review Date:11-August-2009
Format: CD
JivePK™: Currently not a Jivewired member.
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Track Listing:
01. Nietzsche Finds a Bullfight 1:39
02. Wash Away our Sins 5:09
03. Midnight Train 4:43
04. Killing Town 4:41
05. Queen Of The Lillies 3:34
06. Southern Ontario Chill 5:27
07. If I Had A Dream 4:57
08. And We Laughed 3:25
09. Too Young For Romance 2:49
10. Portland, Maine 4:39
11. Honfleur 4:52
Review:
Nadir is the latest release from String Bone, the project name for Barry James Payne from Kitchener, Ontario. Nadir is an exhilarating compilation of Blues, Country and Roots Americana with a rich slate of quality tracks. Coloring the milieu with atmospheric instrumentation and evocative lyrics that traditionalists will love, Payne carves a brooding persona steeped in roots of Dylan's 'Blood On The Tracks', Springsteen's 'Nebraska', Wilco's elliptical Americana, Son Volt's balladry and assorted, harder-to-pinpoint roots, country, folk and blues idioms. Payne's songs rarely cater to the literal, instead navigating allegory and revelation pressed against a recessed southern Ontario landscape.
The highlights of the disc are many;
"Wash Away Our Sins" is an explosive assessment, a bone-rattling and pulsating blues rocker that embodies the 'Blood On The Tracks' side of Payne's influences. With implications reverberating into personal and spiritual realms, Payne laments life's ephemeral side and the basic human need for forgiveness and redemption.
"And We Laughed" is a repine and reflection of a lost loved one and features Payne's most tender vocal turn built on a foundation of pithy imagery. He uses a minimalist arrangement that hinges on his vocal ability and acoustic guitar. Elaboration presents itself lyrically through texture and nuance and musically through the adjunct of forlorn banjo and violin.
Fans of Wilco, Son Volt or Uncle Tupelo will love "Portland, Maine" which features a wicked performance by Bob Egan (formerly of Wilco) on pedal steel guitar. Reminiscent of Jay Farrar from Son Volt singing 'Windfall' and with an aching chorus - (I drove 3 million miles and my cell is on the blink / I've got whiskey in the trunk, the good Lord knows I need a drink / I ain't no sinner and I'm certainly no saint / I just came to see your name on the marquee lights on the outskirts of Portland, Maine) - this song feels like 5 am and driving home, but taking the long way because you don't want to stop listening. For added enjoyment you can hear Bob Egan's exceptional steel guitar throughout the disc on the songs "Midnight Train", "Queen Of The Lillies", "Southern Ontario Chill", and "If I Had A Dream".
"Killing Town" is the bread and butter here - a stark homage to turn-of-the-century American Roots that is all too human and replete with an edgy veneer. Professional sentimentalists will love the way he nails this ballad - it would sit perfectly in an episode of the HBO series Deadwood or a documentary of the Civil War. Payne combines an ascetic bassline, scorching electric guitar and seismic violin solos to fashion a grim and lonely universe of impeccable world-weary logic that despite the title preaches a message of anti-violence.
Payne offers a slight variation of his own eclecticism on "Honfleur". Respite with a wonderful accordion accompaniment from Paul Shilton that accentuates it's bluesy ambiance and provides a folksy feel, Payne adds a deft touch once again through well-written lyrics and a down-tempo arrangement that gives wonderful closure to the CD.
All in all, Nadir is a richly decorated composition. Payne scores big as a lyrical talent because of his depth and a focused, refined approach that isn't over-produced and this effort heralds the arrival of a major songwriter. The violin/pedal steel interplay throughout the disc stands out on many of the tracks and as a vocalist, Payne is efficient and works well within his range. Nadir is a spirited effort and being the second release by String Bone, we can expect a bright future for Payne and his band.
-- Michael Canter Jivewired.com
About String Bone:
Americana best describes the music of String Bone, a project born of the songwriting talents of Canadian singer-songwriter Barry James Payne. A mix of folk, blues, country, bluegrass, hillbilly and even other contemporary and traditional elements such as pop, rock and jazz. Payne has been playing and writing since the early ’80’s and has recently released his debut CD ‘nadir’. You might even call him a late bloomer. Payne set out in 2006 to write his debut record, subsequently bringing together several musicians, such as Blue Rodeo'’s Bob Egan, also formerly of Wilco and Kitchener native and veteran troubadour Shannon Lyon and went into the studio. Produced by Lyon, Payne and technical wiz engineer Chris Giesbrecht, the resulting recording, ‘nadir’ was labeled “truly a masterpiece” by Germany’s Music Star where String Bone toured after its release to encores show after show.
Payne has been playing with Dan Henshall on upright bass for the past three years and the two have formed a formidable musical bond. As well as perennial String Bone sideman, Steve Wood on pedal steel from Kitchener. Wood helps Payne create his haunting sound live. A perfect marriage to his intimate songs which he introduces with often comical and touching stories. He paints portraits with his words, and the various musicians involved help Payne change the colour of his pallet from emotional folk and country ballads to uptempo country-rock and bluesy, smoky, jazzy grooves.
Reviewers from the US, Canada, and Europe have lauded Payne on his debut record ‘nadir’ for his lyrics and melodies.
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