Peggy James: “Paint Still Wet” (2020) CD Review

Peggy James is a singer and songwriter, creating music that combines elements of folk, pop and country. Her new album, Paint Still Wet, features all original material, written by Peggy James. Joining her on this release are Jim Eannelli on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, percussion, autoharp and drums (Eanelli also produced and mixed the album); and, on half the tracks, John Calarco on drums and percussion. There are also special guests on various tracks.

The album opens with “Let’s Fly Away,” a sweet song with some innocent lyrics, such as “I want to take you where the fireflies shine/And kiss you under the moon,” lines that have a certain appeal these days. You wouldn’t think that in this time of isolation and social distancing, we’d have an urge to get away from people even more, but that does seem to often be the case. This track’s lyrics provide the album with its title: “I want to take you to see the sunset/All of the colors with the paint still wet.” Plus, this song features some good work from Anna Vafai on violin. And Marc Revenson (known as Lil Rev) provides some nice touches on harmonica, and also plays ukulele on this track. In this time when we have a racist moron destroying democracy and driving this country straight into the toilet, what could be more appealing than flying away? Listening to this song, it seems possible. “Wiser” has a more serious, somber tone. I love Peggy James’ vocal delivery here, part ethereal, part earthbound, giving this song a beautiful and moving sound, and even a haunting quality, particularly in lines like “If only I had loved you more/And told you face to face/And the birds flew round in circles/And found no resting place.” This is one of my personal favorites.

“Holdin’ Hands” opens with the question, “Why doesn’t anyone hold hands anymore?” My girlfriend and I certainly do, but I’m curious now to pay attention to see how often I see others doing it. Of course, in these days of social distancing, we probably won’t see much physical contact of any kind. This one has something of a 1960s pop influence, heard in the guitar work and in that drum beat. Victor Span plays drums on this track. The lyrics also make a direct reference to The Beatles and “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” But the lines that stand out for me are “And in this world that changes constantly/An act of tenderness is so good to see.” Indeed! That’s followed by “San Antone,” which features some wonderful work by Daryl Stuermer on guitar. One of the album’s best tracks is “Can’t Do Lonely Anymore,” which has a wonderful groove. I completely love Peggy’s vocal approach to this one – so cool, so classy, so warm. “And love is a bad thing when love is a sad thing/Happiness walked out when you walked out of that door/And I can’t do lonely anymore.” Everything is working just right here, giving this fantastic song a timeless appeal. Connie Grauer joins her on piano on this one. There is also some nice, tender work on guitar.

Something about the line “I tried a lot, I tried a lot,” and her delivery, make me smile. That is what initially drew me in to “Sailor Knots,” but there is something touching about this song, and it is beautiful at moments. “Hey mama, can you save me, can you save me now?” That’s followed by “Lighter Than A Feather.” Its opening line, “You were once dead weight, now you’re lighter than a feather,” is certainly one that grabs me. This is a song about someone who has died. “And I know it’s selfish, but I want you back again,” Peggy sings. While the song has a gentle, sweet sound for the most part, at moments it takes on a strong, powerful sound, which surprised me the first time I heard it, and those sections help make this another of the disc’s highlights. This is not a depressing song, but rather has a beautiful and positive sense of being connected. Then “Head Over Heels” features a good lead on electric guitar, and halfway through, there is a cool section with harmonica. That’s Jim Liban on harmonica.

“Nothin’s The Same” is a song about changes, none of them good, though it has a pleasant sound. The verse that packs the strongest punch is: “I’ve got another brother who went to war/I wish you could have known him, how he was before/When he was only seventeen, not a single bone in his body was mean/Had a heart so tender, until he was wounded to the core/Now he’s not the same, just not the same anymore.” That’s followed by “Fallen Star,” a song about someone who has suddenly fallen on hard times, “Living day to day on the streets of San Diego.” This track features some excellent work on guitar. Plus, Anna Vafai adds some wonderful work on violin. Then “Scarlet And Gold” has a fairly steady pop and rock sound through most of it, but there is a magical, pretty quality at moments, particularly in those sections where she sings “Ahhhh.” Those sections really stand out, and elevate this one to something special, and might remind you a bit of Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” The album then concludes with “Gettin’ Serious,” which has the sound of a large crowd cheering at the beginning. It is a decent country rock number, but that fake crowd noise detracts from it.  

CD Track List

1. Let’s Fly Away
2. Wiser
3. Holdin’ Hands
4. San Antone
5. Can’t Do Lonely Anymore
6. Sailor Knots
7. Lighter Than A Feather
8. Head Over Heels
9. Nothin’s The Same
10. Fallen Star
11. Scarlet And Gold
12. Getting’ Serious

Paint Still Wet is scheduled to be released on September 18, 2020 on Happy Growl Records.