Dust Bowl Faeries: “Carnival Dust” (2023) CD Review

There might be a wide range of influences at work on the Dust Bowl Faeries, but the resulting music feels singular and all their own. This band is based in New York, though it seems from the music that these guys shouldn’t be based anywhere, but should be constantly traveling, a carnival with roots possibly in some mythical Eastern European country. And in addition to the music, they ought to be peddling cure-all tonics and telling fortunes. These are musicians that might be dangerous to encounter during a full moon. The band is made up of Ryder Cooley on accordion, saw and vocals; Jon B. Woodin on guitar and vocals; Elizabeth LoGiudice on bass and vocals; Rubi LaRue on lap steel and vocals; and Andrew Stein on drums. Their new release, Carnival Dust, features original material, most of it written by Ryder Cooley.

The disc opens with “Cuckoo,” which is an original composition, not a cover of that traditional folk song of the same name. As it begins, it eases in, and you don’t know just what kind of treat awaits you. But soon it kicks in for the chorus, and that’s when the real joy of this music begins, with that old European vibe. This track features some great work on accordion. And I think everyone can appreciate these lines: “We’re going cuckoo, a little cuckoo/A cuckoo clock chimes all day/While corporations get their way.” This song is playful and delightful, and yet strangely haunting at times. As we listen, we are partly in our own world, but mostly in the world created by this band. That song is followed by “The Changeling,” which of course reminds me of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. What is really going on with Oberon’s insistence of having that changeling child? Well, anyway, this song takes us to the realm of faeries, or rather, brings someone from that realm to us:  “She’s a changeling, that’s what they say/The faeries brought her here, and then flew away/But she don’t like it here, she don’t belong/No wings to fly with, no magic wand/She needs some magic.” This track has a good rhythm. And again, these guys create their own world, for which I am thankful, as it’s a fun place to visit.

“Medicine Show” begins with some interesting work on drums, an unusual rhythm. This one was written by Ryder Cooley and Jon B. Woodin. “Now we’re broke, what do we do/Join the show and play the kazoo/Oh, oh, the medicine show.” And, yes, there is a bit of kazoo at that point. I tell you, listening to this music makes me want to join the medicine show, makes me want to run away to a different time. Is that possible? It must be. After all, how did this band get here otherwise? This song takes us back to when cocaine was medicine, and is one of my personal favorite tracks. Perhaps the most delightful moment is when they sing, “Illusions, delusions, accordionists,” a playful nod at themselves. This track also mentions “Two vaccines,” which of course brings us back to the current time. While this song speaks of “Miracles cures for every disease, if you please,” I maintain that music is the best medicine for the soul. And this album in particular ought to brighten your day. “Medicine Show” is followed by “The Old Ragdoll,” which begins with some nice work on accordion. And I love that adorable vocal work, backed mainly by accordion at the beginning. The song then kicks in, becoming delightful and kind of goofy. “Backstage in the dressing room, she traced the seams on her face/Picked the scabs that she’s earned, falling from her grace/Falling from her grace, falling from her grace.”

“Clockwork Romance” was written by Jon B. Woodin, and features his deliciously raw vocal work. As it begins, it feels like it might be an old western-type song, but it soon goes in its own peculiar direction. “I’ve got two fingers, and I’ve got two thumbs,” he tells us. “If I only knew which events were falsehoods, and which were true/I’ve got no answers/But questions, I have plenty.” This track features some cool work on guitar too. The disc concludes with “Lost In Time,” a song written by Dennis Herbert. It was originally titled “Tick Tock,” and released by Dennis Herbert and Ryder Cooley several years ago on the album Hazel’s Eyes. This is another strange one, with a dramatic sense. “Wake up, wake up, wake up,” Ryder urges us, but this music pulls us into a dreamlike realm. “Soon you will be leaving everything you knew behind.”

CD Track List

1. Cuckoo
2. The Changeling
3. Medicine Show
4. The Old Ragdoll
5. Clockwork Romance
6. Lost In Time

Carnival Dust was released on January 24, 2023.