Page 39 - BiTS_01_JANUARY_2023

demonic ringing melodic guitar joins a dark pairing of harmonica and pummelling bass
percussion.

The revered Blind Willie Johnson classic ‘Soul Of A Man’, is given a less dark feel but, is imbued
with a genuine depth of curiosity, as the acoustic guitar is joined by gentle harmonica, slide guitar
and bass rich percussion. Robert and Joanne’s gently questioning vocals float above it all. Tom
Waits ‘Way Down In The Hole’, silkily sways out of the speakers as an enticing Rumba while
Paulina delivers a sensuously enticing vocal. Robert’s ‘Jesus By The Riverside’, is a an enjoyable
old fashioned swinging Gospel, Joanne comfortably entwines a country feel within the number,
as Roberts’ sweetly enticing slide rings out.

‘It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine’, is the third Blind Willie Johnson number here, the hand clapping
and stomping intro leads into Joanne delivering a stark but inviting vocal as the acoustic and
slide guitars are joined by gently swaying harmonica, delivering a pleasantly thoughtful,
enquiring rendition. The first known recorded version of ‘Jesus On The Mainline’, was by
Mississippi Fred McDowell, courtesy of Alan Lomax in the fifties, here Robert, Joanne and Paulina
stick to the traditional Baptist hymn as their reference point and very uplifting and joyous it is
too! The sweet slide and confident crisp vocals urge you to join in after the first verse.

Splendidly uplifting!

Brian Harman.

Larkin Poe—Blood Harmony—Tricki-Woo Records ASIN ‏:
B0B18WKL73

Although Rebecca and Meghan Lovell’s new album is called
“Blood Harmony” and that sibling harmony is celebrated in the
lyrics of the excellent title track, in truth there aren’t many
examples of their harmony singing here - not a great problem as
Rebecca has developed into a really strong lead singer. This
record carries on from 2020’s “Self Made Man” in being more

rock-blues than their previous releases with a fuller, heavier
sound and less straight blues and country, however the opener
‘Deep Stays Down’ starts off in restrained mode until it ramps up towards the end. ‘Bad Spell’
and ‘Strike Gold’ are fairly routine rock blues featuring Rebecca (vocals and guitar), Meghan
(lap-steel, harmony vocals) plus their rhythm section of Tarka Layman (bass) and Kevin
Megowan (drums) but ‘Georgia Off My Mind’ is a good song celebrating both their Georgia roots
and their current Nashville homes.

'Southern Comfort’ has nice harmonies and reminded me of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and more
harmonies on the title track which celebrates blood and sibling harmony and family heritage -
“More than flesh, more than bone, when you sing I don’t sing alone”. ‘Kick the Blues’ has an
unusual tempo with pounding drums and searing lap steel, while ‘Might as Well Be Me’ is a very
powerful, languid soul ballad – listen to Rebecca’s soulful vocals. There is more rock blues on
‘Summertime Sunset’ while we check out with a haunting, gothic dirge in the shape of ‘Lips as
Cold as a Diamond’ an unnerving song about death. This album really sees Rebecca emerge as
a powerful lead singer to rival Susan Tedeschi but I’m afraid that I missed the variety of their
previous albums rather than this more cohesive rock blues.

Graham Harrison