reviews of singer-songwriters with (acid) folk references : Meg Baird

Tequila Sunrise Rec. Meg Baird : Waltze of the tennis players /

Dear Companion (a capella version) -7"- (US,2006)****

I saw Espers playing lately, in Antwerp. When the band arrived, the members were suffering a bit from jet lag, and they were also going to play with another percussionist. I noticed strange tensions; Greg Weeks said a lot of nonsense in between the songs, and showed by it some slight disaffection with the heart energy of it all. Unfortunately, like what happens too often in Belgium, the technical mix also wasn’t too good (the cello was too quiet, and the second guitar was louder than the first guitar), which was also perhaps a reason why also the group performance sounded more lazy than I had expected it was going to be, even when they were still good enough, but I expected a performance that would show why they were the top or the cream of new acoustic folk, something which did not really happen. Greg’s contributions on keyboards or guitar did not always seemed absolutely necessary to the songs for me, as if he was distracted to his own visions to some degree more than to the sounds of a full group’s creativity. But on his own song choice, “blood is trouble” I noticed his own brilliance well, there he was affected. For me, in that evening, it was especially Meg Baird who showed me her brilliance. Not only her voice was wonderful, and her interpretations, she also plays the guitar well. I’m sure without her, the group would fall to pieces, even if she was just playing as one member amongst the others, contributing. We spoke a short while, because I thought after the concert, how much I would love her to hear her play more solo, with some traditionals even, as something of a project like the Leaves From Off The Tree perhaps, realizing one second too late how she was involved in that, but not as the leading character. Meg is honest, heart-earnest, and is serious in what she does, and in being so, brings dignity to the creative wholeness, she shows some charming shyness. When trying to avoid the centre, bringing a solo expression to the full force of possibilities needs good conditions, and mostly willing persons to let it develop and speak for itself. Only a few moments were given to her. There is a solo release in the make. On this single are the first two songs that could give us some idea what to expect.

It is not obvious at all that the first song on the first solo release is an a capella traditional ! She sings the song (after Sheila Kay Adams) as if she experienced it herself (and who knows, at least partly she did), expressed with some sad grief, left alone, as an older woman looking back on a situation that makes someone cry, but that is visualized and enriched with a feeling of true love. “Waltze of the tennis players”, after Allan Fraser and Daisy Debolt, with second voice and accompanied by guitar, sounds melodically slightly directed towards alt-country, in a way like Rebecca Hall perhaps. Another nice song. I look forward to the full release in 2007 !!

Limited to 1000 copies.

Audio : "waltze of the tennis players"(or here)

Label : http://www.tequilasunriserecords.com/

Description : http://www.fusetronsound.com/label.php?whomart=BAIRD,MEG

Homepage : http://www.thebairdsisters.com/

Other reviews : http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/545 &

http://kylepfister.blogspot.com/2006/10/indie-conversation-chris-garneau-and.html

Wichita Rec.

Meg Baird : Dear Companion (US,2007)****

When I heard Meg Baird with Espers, I realized how much she was contributing to the group (reviews on next page). Another track on ‘So much fire to roast human flesh’ (review on next page) already revealed she had more to offer and I was already sure she could easily convince with a full solo CD. On the impulsively compiled ‘Leaves From Off The Tree’ (reviewed on next page) it was clear how she was busy consciously in preparing and collecting memorable heart-felt songs to sing. The final result of this collection can be heard on this new, and really first proper solo release. The songs are rooted in what seems to be a mixture of styles of old time blues, American alternative country and folk, classic acoustic singer-songwriters and a certain English heritage of folk song. Meg’s voice is gorgeous and in an etherial spring way, at the same time mature and well considered and experienced in what she is doing and with the songs she chose. Her interpretations don’t just follow the songs literally but follow them from a heritage of the traditions aforementioned. Meg’s guitar playing also is quite gifted. A few of the small vocal arrangements will remind some of the kind of arrangements which were done before with her groups, The Baird Sisters and Espers. Songs that are chosen are besides 4 traditionals and two self-penned songs, by Christ Thompson, Jimmy Web, Fraser & Debolt, John Dawson, Sheila Kay Adams. A classic album.

Audio : "Sweet William And Fair Ellen" ,"All I Ever Wanted", "waltze of the tennis players", "River Song", "Riverhouse In Tinicum"

Audio & homepage : http://www.myspace.com/pennsylvaniawildlife

Intro & info : http://se.v2music.com/site/product.asp?ID=2975

Distributor entry : http://www.dragcity.com/catalog/records/dc340.html

Label description : http://www.wichita-recordings.com/artist.php/megbaird/

Review with 3 audio tracks : http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=34741

Other description : http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1389

Article : http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003568399

Other review : http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewID=7876

Drag City

Meg Baird : Seasons On Earth (US,2011)****

In the past I must have said more than once how I have noticed what a wonderful voice Meg Baird has and that she has a very good picking guitar style. While her previous début was still very much rooted in folk areas, without leaving those essences, in this second album she made a more distinctive move towards a style of her own, like that was once part of Espers, now has come forward in its own glory. Some additional slide guitar, an occasional harp, a a second resonance guitar, and overdubs of her own voice has been added, not much more than the songs need although even a full band's additional work could have brought this even further, besides, like I said before, the same essence of bands like Espers is coming through here as well. A very enjoyable effort built around Meg's voice, guitar and songs.

Label info : http://www.dragcity.com/products/seasons-on-earth