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REVIEWS

Various Artists - Parchman Prison Prayer: Some Mississppi
Sunday Morning – Glitterbeat GBCD/LP 143
www.glitterbeat.com

The Lomaxes recorded several times between the 30s and late 50s
at Parchman Prison Farm in Mississippi, the subject of several
songs. Early this year, producer Ian Brennan received permission
– after three years of trying – to record a Sunday service at the
prison, with just a week’s notice. These recordings are the result.

The booklet provides the context. No photos or video recordings
were allowed, and it took a little while for things to start, but the
prison chaplains helped, and much of this set consists of unaccompanied vocals, mostly but not
always solo, with many of the songs based on traditional gospel material but with an individual
twist. The oldest participant was 73, the youngest 28, and all bar one, except for the deliberately
anonymous singer/pianist of ‘I Give Myself Away, So You Can Use Me’, are identified by an initial
and surname, plus age.

Unsurprisingly it is haunting, raw and personal music for the most part. At times you have the
impression Alan Lomax could have recorded this many decades ago, not in February 2023. If all
this sounds more than a little harrowing, some it certainly is, but the closing ‘Lay My Burden
Down’ is a wonderful, band-accompanied release of tension. And I’m not being flippant when I
say that’s just how I felt as a listener.

Norman Darwen

Under the Sun – Enchantment – Independent
www.untilthesun.com

If you’re looking for blues-rock that remembers the blues
throughout, but definitely leans towards the rockier end of the
spectrum, then this set is for you. This is a band with deep roots,
and who aren’t afraid to go psychedelic! Singer Alyssa Swartz and
guitarist Brandon Teskey have crafted a very individual sound,
sometimes rather attractively retro, at other times approaching
alt. blues (try ‘Your Well’, and no, that’s not a spelling mistake).
The spoken passages that crop up a few times in tracks also add
to the rather different feel of this set.

There is a bit of Hendrix to Brandon’s playing which is certainly appropriate on several tracks.
There is also the romping blues dancer ‘Groovin’’, tunes drawing inspiration for the 50s and 60s,
and a cover of Big Mama Thornton’s ‘Hound Dog’, rather nicely low-down which starts like a
heavy slab of blues-rock but the vocal is very close to Big Mama, and just keep listening as the
track progresses. ‘Seek The Sunshine’ is a slightly old-fashioned blues with some distinctive
touches – the lap steel playing certainly marks it out

There’s plenty of energy to this set, a lot of affection and commitment, and yes, even just a slight
tinge of punky energy. It is certainly all well worth a listen.

Norman Darwen