CAROLINE HERRING: Wellspring

Caroline Herring

Wellspring

© 2003 Zelleria Music (677967030229)

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Literary Country Folk-Grass

notes

Caroline Herring's music can best be described as "Southern". Blending the sounds of country, folk and bluegrass with the unmistakable spiritual influence of the blues and gospel, Caroline's two Blue Corn albums reflect her Mississippi upbringing and her subsequent academic journey into Southern culture. More importantly, they showcase an extraordinary singer/songwriter whose poetic lyrics are matched by her melodic gifts and the sort of vocal talent that comes along all too infrequently.

"Twilight", Caroline's debut Blue Corn release, garnered unanimous praise upon its release in 2001, especially in her adopted home of Austin, Texas where Caroline was named "Best New Artist" at the 2002 Austin Music Awards. "Twilight" is an amazing debut album, showcasing an artist who appears to emerge from nowhere as a fully developed talent. This was not the case of course, as Caroline had been perfecting her sound for several years prior to that in Austin and Oxford, Mississippi. The brilliant playing of musicians like Peter Rowan, Lloyd Maines and Billy and Bryn Bright and the sympathetic production of Austin legend John Inmon together with Caroline's songwriting and vocal skills made "Twilight" one of the top releases of 2001. This was reflected at the end of the year when it appeared on many critics' "best of" lists.

Caroline's 2nd Blue Corn release, "Wellspring", was released in 2003 and it reflects the growth and changes in her life since the release of "Twilight". Caroline's marriage is the most obvious influence as there are more relationship oriented songs on "Wellspring". However, Caroline's gift for literate story songs is still there especially on "Mistress", the story of an East Texas slave and her relationship with the plantation owner. Musically, producer Rich Brotherton (Robert Earl Keen) expands the scope of "Twilight"'s sound without losing sight of who Caroline is. Keyboards are added sparingly and Kelly Willis makes an appearance on "Jewels". "Wellspring" is ample proof that Caroline has dodged the "sophomore slump" and released an album that is even stronger than her debut.

reviews

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  • ... and 1/2 ... Poetic balladry with messages that are very compelling
    author: Joe Ross

    Total Playing Time – 41:53 -- Originally from Mississippi, with a Master’s degree in Southern Studies under her belt, singer/songwriter Caroline Herring found herself in Austin, Texas in 1999 pursuing a Ph.D. in American Studies. It soon became apparent to Texans that she has a keen intellect, aptitude and talent for writing hard-hitting songs which have both a literary foundation and earthy sensibility. A paradox, perhaps? No, just soulful. With the support of the Blue Corn label, her rise in the Austin music scene has been fast. Her 2001 debut, “Twilight,” was an immediate hit, and she was named Austin’s Best New Artist in early 2002 by the local newspaper and Austin Music Awards. At that time, she worked for Texas Folklife, accompanying traditional Tejano musicians to performances and shows. Marriage took her away from Austin in 2002, following her new husband's academic pursuits to Washington D.C., and currently to Atlanta. Caroline Herring's southern music flows with influences of country, folk, blues, gospel and bluegrass. Caroline's sophomore release, “Wellspring,” recognizes the significance of two key sources of strength in her life – Austin and her husband. Concerning the former, she says, “Texas, Austin specifically, was the source from which so much good came for me.” Like the springs of central Texas, her music bubbles clean, pure and coolly refreshing. Concerning her husband, in her self-penned “Magnolias,” she sings “we roughed through the wellsprings of our early days…” The changes in Herring’s life may explain why there are more relationship themed songs on “Wellspring.” Being deceived and “strung along,” is the tale in “The Way That You Are.” Caroline's gift for poetic balladry is best illustrated in “Mistress,” the story of an East Texas slave and her relationship with a plantation owner. “Mortified” is about “figuring out why we fail and fall in ways we never wanted to, but knew we would have to.” Searching for the explanation may be elusive, especially as long as “the crumbs from the table kept me satisfied.” She’s also adept at incorporating geographical and historical references and imagery to reinforce her messages. “Trace” makes reference to the Natchez Trace, a trading route in Mississippi, while “Magnolias” mentions her love of Austin and the Frio. In “Colorado Woman,” she sings of tumbling with the dustbowls across the Oklahoma plain, but “tonight I want to be a strong Colorado woman, I don't want to be your Mississippi girl. There are times I need you to hold onto, and there are times I got to hold on by myself.” Besides Herring on vocals and acoustic guitar, “Wellspring” includes Rich Brotherton (guitars, mandola, glass harmonica, dulcimer and vocals), Bryn Bright (bass, cello, vocals), Billy Bright (mandolin, mandola), Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle, viola), and Jeff Plankenhorn (dobro). Other accompanists put percussion, accordion, pedal steel and organ into the mix. Produced by Rich Brotherton (Robert Earl Keen), this album balances catchy arrangements with the need to keep Herring’s gutsy alto in the forefront. From the album’s first vocal strains to its last, one never loses interest in her appealing vocals. The impressionistic songs offer a fair amount of quick, memorable lines. The instrumental accompaniment is first-rate without going overboard in any attempt to steal the show. Herring has now fully developed a personalized signature sound that revolves around well-crafted original country and folk music, with stories and messages that are very compelling. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

  • Fantastic!
    author: Aaron Brickman

    This is a complete album by Caroline, honest and pure from beginning to end. Songs represent Americana and showcase her amazing singing and songwriting abilities. It's great to listen to over and over, and even my two year old sings along to Colorado Woman. I just bought a second copy for a friend.

  • Caroline, is one of the original home town girls who grew up with music.
    author: Brad

    Caroline is one of the original home town girls who grew up with music all around her. Family and friends played together and it shows in her music and her style. I will look forward to any Cd she produces. She is a wonderful songwriter and singer.

  • Lovely Stories
    author: Will Henry

    Her stories cross rivers, oceans and centuries. Voice as warm as whiskey and molasses.

  • Another good effort by Caroline Herring.
    author: C. Aaron McNeece

    This was another great effort - but probably not quite as good as her first. Great, haunting voice and superb song writing. Wish it had an oldie - like Wreck on the Highway - as in the previous CD. Billy and Bryn Bright (from Two High String Band) are a definite asset.

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