Meet Linda McRae if you haven’t already; she is a woman with over 40 years of experience in the most deeply loved instruments in folk music. McRae’s new album, Going to the Well, is a minimalist yet substantial engagement in both original material and an ode to musical greats like David Bowie and Don Williams, to name a few. This album is daring in its instrumental simplicity–there are no bells and whistles, just Linda’s words, her voice, and a couple of strings. This brave choice definitely made for an impacting series of tracks in an often overwhelming musical era.
With all of the experimentation these days with all genres in attempts to create something interesting to stay relevant, it isn’t often we get something so vibrant which continues to celebrate traditional roots; yet here we are in 2020 with Going to the Well. It doesn’t need dressing to be a fantastic representation of folk musicianship.
What we loved most about this album is how easily it is enjoyed. Though it is a slow-tempoed collection, it is a pleasure to drink in and savor. McRae did not feel the need to rush anything, and each song seamlessly dances into the next… even when the song wasn’t originally by her!
This album is also a wonderful celebration of storytelling, especially from songs like Bill Kirchen’s haunting “Man in the Bottom of the Well” to McRae’s own “Long Shadow Trail”:
“Shadows need light / As a kid I was told mine / Was sewn to the soles of my feet /With little girl spins we’d throw our wishes to the wind / I swear I heard her heart beat…” – “Long Shadow Trail”
Stripped-down doesn’t necessarily mean easy or uninteresting. Linda McRae has proven demonstrating pure finesse and skill, both vocally and instrumentally, is all you need to make a record that stays with you.
Find out more about Linda McRae on her website.
