In 2007, soulful songstress Cary Ann Hearst and The Films' frontman Michael Trent combined their immense talent to record a duet album. It is titled Shovels & Rope is finally available to the masses after only being available at the duo's shows. The album is available via CD Baby, but keeps flying off the virtual shelves. Keep checking back because they restock regularly. The album should also be on iTunes soon.The lo-fi album was recorded on tape by acclaimed drummer and producer Joey Waronker (Elliott Smith, Beck, Smashing Pumpkins). The album is reminiscent of The Band and Johnny and June Carter cash, but with a darker undercurrent.
I honesty can't describe the music with the panache that Hearst does, so here's a brief description in her own words.
"The record is a bunch of songs about the same people in a crappy town. Its dark, like rays of light bursting through dirty black lace. The good guys are bad guys, the bad guys are the heroes and a kid gets the death penalty. I mean dark. BUT, its beautiful. Sometimes it is stark, sparse and haunting. Other songs are lush, sweaty and haunting."The tracks include eight originals by the duo and a country version of the Jump, Little Children song "Mexico" written by Jay Clifford and a brooding version of the old Charlie Feathers tune "Can't Hardly Stand It."
Download one of my favorites from the album "Boxcar" below and don't forget to pick up the album from CD Baby. It'll make a great gift.
Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent - "Boxcar" (mp3)
[the mp3 link has been fixed]
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