Westmoreland: “Cast Fire” (2019) CD Review

Westmoreland is a band led by singer and guitarist John Westmoreland, and based in Durham, North Carolina. In addition to John on lead vocals, guitar and charango, the band is made up of Lance Scott on bass, Kevin Timmons on keys and Kobie Watkins on drums. Last year they released a phenomenal album titled Cast Fire, featuring mostly original material with a focus on the lyrics and the mood, this band adept at creating an atmosphere that is strong and vivid. Several guest musicians join them on various tracks.

From the moment the opening track, “The Sparrow,” begins, it is clear that John Westmoreland has taken some inspiration from the later work of Leonard Cohen. The near-spiritual tone and the style, including some of the vocal delivery, as well as some of the imagery, seem influenced by him. John Westmoreland creates a place where death and life seem intertwined. Check out these lines: “Did you know the world is hollow, just a shell of what’s beneath, and the soul became a sparrow, longing to crack open the seed/And though she be a bird of sorrow, let there be healing on her wing.” Diali Cissokho is on kora, and Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw provides backing vocals on this track. That is followed by the “Cast Fire,” the album’s title track, a song that makes great use of backing vocals on the chorus. Tamisha Waden and Elizabeth A. Jackson provide those backing vocals. Will Ridenour plays kora on this track. There seems to be a prayer spoken by the various instruments, which sometimes are in conversation. This song includes a Shakespeare reference in the line “I see the masters have let slip the dogs of war, across the earth they plunder and feast upon the poor.” In Act III of Julius Caesar, Antony says “Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice/Cry 'Havoc,’ and let slip the dogs of war.”

“Land Of The Living” features a beautiful string section. Jennifer Curtis is on violin, Suzanne Rousso is on viola and Paula Peroutka is on cello. After the line “Arise from the ashes,” the strings seem to respect that command, rising then. This track also features a prominent beat that holds things together. “And in the fields of repentance, I beg forgiveness for the lies I believed and the truths I deceived.” And again, this is a world where death walks hand in hand with us, where the veil is thin, and crossing seems not only possible but likely. “There is no end or beginning, what was is and shall forever be, adrift upon the endless sea.” That is followed by “All Saints Day,” a gorgeous instrumental track with a moving lead by Alan Thompson on saxophone. We then get the album’s only cover, an unusual rendition of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower.” This version is prettier than most versions I’ve heard, and has a lightness to it. The vocal delivery makes everything seem inevitable, which is interesting, almost like reporting on events.

“Come To Me” begins with a beautiful instrumental section. Then some of its lyrics are striking, and are delivered so plainly, without force, that you might almost miss them: “Take this pain, all the love I never gave and make me an instrument from this writhing knot of clay.” This track features more good backing vocals from Tamisha Waden and Elizabeth A. Jackson, adding a soulful, comforting element. That’s followed by “Something Hopeful,” another beautiful instrumental track with an uplifting power. Something hopeful, indeed. This is music to help you get through another moment, another day, and it features more wonderful work from that string section. In addition to the three string players already mentioned, Jim Westmoreland plays violin on this track. Things then turn jazzy with “By And By,” which has a delicious groove and good work on both guitar and keys. The backing vocalists contribute some wonderful stuff here, like helping us dance our way to life’s conclusion. And the line “dance me to the sound of falling memories” reminds me of Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To The End Of Love.” Then toward the end, the song grows quieter, more introspective, more lonely. Because we each face the end alone, don’t we?

On “Open Your Eyes,” John Westmoreland’s voice is deep and intimate, as if to offer some comfort, and we feel that the “soft voice you’ll hear say, ‘do not fear death’” that he sings of is, in fact, his own voice. “Open your heart for love is all that you are/The pain and confusion that tear you apart truly are only a dream.” We can drift away on those words, can’t we? Wrap ourselves in light and thereby dispel the darkness that surrounds us. Then “Thomas” features some beautiful work by Eric Heywood (from Son Volt) on pedal steel. The album concludes with “Waltz In A Mirror,” another instrumental piece, one that I find both soothing and sad, lost in memories, a past that is so close but can’t quite be touched. This track features moving work from the string section. Partway through, the piece turns a corner and it is like it is no longer memory, but has helped us pass through to the present. Or has it managed to bring the past to us? This is a gorgeous and gripping piece, a beautiful ending to a remarkable album.

CD Track List

1. The Sparrow
2. Cast Fire
3. Land Of The Living
4. All Saints Day
5. All Along The Watchtower
6. Come To Me
7. Something Hopeful
8. By And By
9. Open Your Eyes
10. Thomas
11. Waltz In A Mirror

Cast Fire was released on April 12, 2019.