Reviewing led me, via a passionate promoter, led me to May Erlewine and I have written about and loved two albums, with THE REAL THING, being the third. Michigan based May has been releasing albums of thoughtful music that sit somewhere Country, Folk, Americana and Soul, since the early 2000’s. Listening to the last three albums in sequence, there is a process of refinement and a definite Erlewine sound and musical space evolving.
“More Time” is a opener that just floors you, in a swept away on a cushion of loveliness kind of a way. Soft shuffle drums, electric keyboards and a close to the mike intimate vocal that is pure soulful crooning Ani Franco, make this so special. May cajoles and pleads in this dusky love song, just as it gets really soft and warm Packy Lundholm’s guitar arrives, breaking the mood so perfectly like sunshine through mist. “The Cost” keeps that intimate vocal going through a piano and organ led emotional song. Again it is the sound of Erlewine’s voice as much as the lyrics she sings that holds your attention so completely. The warm sound of tracks like “Love And Desire” put me strongly in mind of late 60s Jackie DeShannon’s Laurel Canyon skewed Southern Soul. “Summer Shoes” is a light as air duet between May’s crooning low voice and a very lyrical piano behind the poetic observational lyrics. Soulful “Meet Me”, another early morning reflection continues that soft mood with beautiful layering of May’s piano and Phil Cook’s Organ. “Heroes” is a fragile song of regrets, with some short story like observations, again on “Heroez and “The Real Thing” the Piano and Organ create a classic soulful groove around Erlewine’s voice. Like a short story writer May mixes the emotional impact of her songs with real life detail, so “The Real Thing” is set in the kitchen, chopping onions while she dreams of forgiveness and what’s real. “The Truth On My Side” and “Where The Past Belongs are a soulful whispered classic, with a gripping vocal and fine, but pared back accompaniment. “Land Of The Free” is an emotional plea that rails, quietly, against the state of things, finding finally comfort.
At a point in Music consumption, where in the US one musician accounts for more streams or listens than the whole of Jazz or Classical Music (1.28% against 0.8% and 0.9% respectively), its hard not to wish listeners ventured further down the racks in the shops or pushed against the algorithms a little more. Closer to the other end of the scale one of my favourite UK musicians, now self releasing after being on an long established independent label let slip that after recording, mastering and promotion costs their hope was to break even. May Erlewine, somewhere between the two, consistently releases exquisitely formed music, sultry and charged albums that are crying out to be heard. The title of her latest is not a idle boast.
In a time typified by an apparent narrowing of listening, this is my plea to turn on to the red dirt roads, get on bandcamp and the like and get lost in the array of stunning small label artists. You will quickly or even swiftly find the best music you have never heard and are bound to find things tailored to your taste.
Marc Higgins 20/04/24
10 tracks Label: 10 Good Songs
Time Past and Time Passing 