“a “stripped down” musical story in which Erin (vocals, acoustic guitar, kazoo and “foot percussion”) and Jim (ukulele bass and backing vocals) bring an excellent blues vibe, which will be especially enjoyed by all those who love these “roots” musical excursions…From the first to the last song, this duo literally “digs” through the Mississippi mud and shows us how everything is actually very simple, but the story is so serious and deep that all this sounds impressive and powerful. Erin, as an excellent singer and impressive guitarist of the so-called fingerpicking style, clearly shows that she is an established blues musician with a built-in attitude and strong reflections of the American traditional musical heritage.”
Full review:
“Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me – A Tribute To Mississippi John Hurt” is Erin Harpe’s new studio album, which is officially released today, October 24th, by the VizzTone Label Group, with full radio support from BratGirlmedia. On this new studio album, Erin Harpe is once again with Jim Countryman, her husband, co-producer and recording artist.
The album title itself actually says it all. The entire album was recorded in her own studio, Juicy Juju Studios in Massachusetts. The recorded music is a “stripped down” musical story in which Erin (vocals, acoustic guitar, kazoo and “foot percussion”) and Jim (ukulele bass and backing vocals) bring an excellent blues vibe, which will be especially enjoyed by all those who love these “roots” musical excursions. This combination of covers and original compositions strongly influences the musical offering of this duo.
From the first to the last song, this duo literally “digs” through the Mississippi mud and shows us how everything is actually very simple, but the story is so serious and deep that all this sounds impressive and powerful. Erin, as an excellent singer and impressive guitarist of the so-called fingerpicking style, clearly shows that she is an established blues musician with a built-in attitude and strong reflections of the American traditional musical heritage.
There is no doubt – this duo, Harpe and Countryman – must be of interest to all those who have stepped deeper and stronger into this musical style. The offered content of the songs gives a clear insight into the excellent balance of the musicians and their orientation towards many “very demanding traditional blues”.
As for me personally, I “honed my craft” listening to “classic” blues a long time ago, back in 1978, and after many years of training, it brought me to the stage where I could listen to different styles of this traditional blues for hours. But it was also the only way if you want to handle the matter the right way. It’s just that – and done.
Recommendation
Erin Harpe’s new album – Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me: A Tribute To Mississippi John Hurt – on which she collaborates with her husband Jim Countryman, definitely follows in the footsteps of the previous albums that Erin recorded with her band Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers. Yes, she follows in those footsteps, but now Erin returns to her roots – country blues – and offers us truly intimate and acoustic blues musical content.
Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me: A Tribute To Mississippi John Hurt brings ten songs that, in their expressiveness, provide an excellent representation of her attitude towards this musical style. If the album title has a part that reads A Tribute To Mississippi John Hurt - everything is clear.
And finally: if you like traditional, acoustic blues or if you are not afraid to try to penetrate all the beauty and attractiveness of this musical expression, look for this album and listen to what it is about. Personally and honestly – I don't think you will be disappointed.
(Written by Mladen “Mike” Loncar.)