Travelling Companion, the new CD from The Good Intentions, is full
of traditional-sounding folk tunes with some traditional folk subjects (such as
bank robbers, trains, and imminent death), and yet all but one are original
compositions, written by singer/guitarist R. Peter Davies. He and the other two
members of the The Good Intentions, Gabrielle Monk and Francesco Roskell, also
provide some excellent vocals on these tracks, really giving the impression
that these are familiar songs rather than new ones.
This album features
several additional guest musicians, including the wonderful Brantley Kearns on
fiddle. I’ve seen him perform with several bands over the years, and I’m always
delighted to listen to him.
Travelling
Companion was produced by Rick Shea. His name seems to come up a lot for me
these days. He’s involved, one way or another, with a lot of good music. (In that
way, he is similar to Duke Levine.) Rick Shea also plays several instruments on
this CD.
The Good Intentions formed in 2003, and are based in Liverpool.
“Gold Watch And Chain”
Travelling Companion begins with “Gold Watch And Chain,” the
album’s one cover song, written by A.P. Carter. Its wonderfully sad and desperate chorus is: “Oh, I’ll pawn you my gold watch and chain,
love/And I’ll pawn you my gold wedding ring/I will pawn you this heart in my
bosom/Only say that you’ll love me again.” It’s interesting to open with
the cover, because it really sets the tone for the album, adding to the
impression that all of the following tracks are traditional tunes. And maybe
someday they will be.
“Colfax Town”
There are sweet, mellow
vibes on “Colfax Town,” a cool folk tune. I like the way the vocals blend on
this one. This song certainly has a
traditional folk subject – the desperate bank robber in a gold rush town, the
man no one thinks meant to do wrong and cause harm. I always loved the way folk
and old country tunes would almost celebrate these characters. There is
something romantic and appealing about these tales.
“Black Dog Blues”
“Black Dog Blues” begins
as a bluesy tune with some really nice work on guitar. The song soon kicks in,
combining blues with a country rock flavor. It even mentions Robert Johnson and
Elvis Presley. I really dig the vibe of this song. The band plays around with
the theme toward the end, which is cool, as they find an interesting direction
to take it.
“Hank’s Last Ride”
“Hank’s Last Ride” has a
relaxed country vibe with nice work on pedal steel, and some really good
lyrics. I love this line: “Fame, she
raised her shabby dress for me.” There are references to certain Hank
Williams songs, such as “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Montgomery In The
Rain” (in lines like “Another cowboy
who’s so lonesome he could cry”). The song takes
place in 1952, and has the line, "Maybe make it through to 1953." Hank Williams died on January 1, 1953. This song also features some good work on
fiddle.
“Home Town Girl”
One of my favorite tracks
is “Home Town Girl,” partly because of the vocals on the repeated line, “She’s a home town girl,” partly because
of its mellow vibe, and partly because of its opening line, “Well, she’s gone and taken all the best of
me.” It’s hard after all our relationships, how pieces of us are gone, and
everyone walks around as fractions of themselves. It’s so sad, but feels so
true. This song still has a hopeful tone, with lines like “Some day she’s coming home to me” and “For I’ll love her until the day I die.”
“According To A Witness”
“According To A Witness”
has a phrase that I love, and which stood out for me the first time I listened
to this album – “a small and jealous town.”
I’m from a town that had that feel when I was growing up. The line “And someone saw you with somebody when the
lights were down” rings true from my experience growing up in a small town.
And yet this is a more upbeat, fun tune. And it tells a good story.
“Paul The Apostle”
Travelling Companion ends with “Paul The Apostle,” a spiritual tune
that includes a brief spoken word section at the end. That’s Ioan Gruffudd
(you might know him from Fantastic Four; he also did voices on a few episodes of Family Guy) reading a passage from the Welch Bible. Here is a taste of the
song’s lyrics: “When our life’s
meaning/Is shown to us some day/In our hearts, the sun will light the way/The
sun will light the way.”
CD Track List
- Gold Watch And Chain
- Colfax Town
- A Driver’s Farewell
- Black Dog Blues
- Hank’s Last Ride
- Home Town Girl
- Pull The Jailhouse Down
- I Dreamed About You
- According To A Witness
- Angel Train
- Paul The Apostle
Musicians
The Good Intentions are
R. Peter Davis on vocals and guitar; Gabrielle Monk on autoharp, accordion,
piano and vocals; and Francesco Roskell on guitar and vocals. Joining them on
this release are Rick Shea on acoustic guitar, national steel guitar, mandolin
and banjo; Greg Leisz on pedal steel, dobro and electric guitar; David Jackson
on doghouse bass, accordion and piano; Marc Doten on doghouse bass; Dave Raven
on drums and percussion; Brantley Kearns on fiddle; Aubrey Richmond on fiddle;
and John Palmer on tambourine.
Travelling Companion is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on October 1, 2013 on Drumfire Records. It was released in the U.K. in April.
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