Emilie Clepper: “The Family Record” (2023) CD Review

Singer and songwriter Emilie Clepper pays tribute to her father and his great influence on her music with her new album, appropriately titled The Family Record. Her father, Russell Clepper, whom you might know from his work in The Porch Brothers, joins her on this album, playing guitar and providing some vocals. This isn’t the first time that Emilie has performed material written by her father. She did so on both the Texas Eagle EP and Dirt And Bones. But on this release, every song was written by Russell Clepper. Also joining Emilie Clepper on this disc are Joe Grass on guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, dobro, percussion and vocals; John Sadowy on piano; Morgan Moore on bass; Liam O’Neil on drums; Joel Savoy on violin; and Pete Weiss on accordion.

Emilie Clepper opens the album with “Someplace Like Heaven,” which was the title track to Russell Clepper’s 2002 album. Emilie’s rendition is excellent. There is strength and attitude in her delivery, which works so well. “Won’t you dream me up someplace like heaven/Cool Mexican nights with no wind/And let her be there descending the stairs/Where I cried just to see her ascend.” Plus, this track features some absolutely wonderful stuff on violin, and contains a fantastic instrumental section at the end. It is a delicious and powerful way to get things going. Then “Texas Sunshine” has a much sweeter vibe. Here Emilie Clepper’s vocals have a different feel. She gives us a beautiful performance, and this track features some nice work on pedal steel and accordion. “Dear Mother, I’m thinking tonight/Of a voice young and strong as April winds/Patiently teaching me what’s wrong from what’s right/In the Texas sunshine.”

Another highlight is “Pablo’s Mandolin,” and, yes, there is some good work on mandolin on this track. “There’s only one unforgivable sin/The notes to your song live and die on the wind/If you ever quit playing, this world just might end.” I love Emilie’s voice, and there are is some nice harmonizing. This track also contains some great stuff on guitar and pedal steel. That’s followed by “La Valse A Gaetan,” a beautiful song, Most of that beauty is in their vocal performances, but this track also features some wonderful work on both violin and accordion. This is a song I can listen to over and over. Then “Streets Of Quebec” has a cool vibe and sound. A strong, prominent rhythm and some good work on piano help create the atmosphere of this song. This song’s lyrics also mention a mandolin: “A mandolin sounded still in the wind/And froze some passersby.”

“Steal My Car” is a fun, lively country number featuring some great work on piano and a delicious rhythm. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “I never said you could steal my car/Wanted to help you, but you’ve gone too far/Just wondering who the hell you think you are/I never said you could steal my car/I never said that we could be friends/That’s an idea that just don’t make sense.” This track is a total delight, one to get you moving, and it contains some wonderful stuff on violin. That’s followed by another lively number, “Middle Of Everywhere,” this one with a bit of a Louisiana vibe. “They remember the name of that sweet young girl, the one that I loved best/With a bite that didn’t hardly hurt at all and a butterfly on her breast.” This is such an enjoyable number, certain to raise your spirits.

Emilie Clepper slows the pace then with “Netherlands,” song that features another tremendous vocal performance. I also love the way this one builds in power, and the way the accordion and violin work together at times. “She woke up in the wake of the whistle/Of the train that just passed in her dream.” Sarah Dial Primrose and Mo Pair provide backing vocals on this track. Then “Stardusted To Death” has something of a Rolling Stones feel as it begins. This is another lively, energetic track, featuring some cool work on pedal steel. That’s followed by “High Plains Girl,” which also features Mo Pair on backing vocals. “From bootleggers to corporate beggars to those braggarts on those barroom stools/She never blinked or hesitated any time she ran across a fool/Her taste in men/Kept her wasted way back then.” The album concludes with “Nobody’s Song,” which begins with vocals and guitar, with a sound that is gentle and intimate, featuring yet another excellent vocal performance. “With a storm brewing somewhere/As the sun sets low/Nobody can hear it/No one sings along/Nobody knows how right it sounds/Nobody knows how wrong/Nobody copyrights it/Because it’s nobody’s song.”

CD Track List

1. Someplace Like Heaven
2. Texas Sunshine
3. Pablo’s Mandolin
4. La Valse A Gaetan
5. Streets Of Quebec
6. Steal My Car
7. Middle Of Everywhere
8. Netherlands
9. Stardusted To Death
10. High Plains Girl
11. Nobody’s Song

The Family Record was released on October 20, 2023.