Love and Empathy Run Deep in Caroline Spence's True North

Caroline Spence
“True North”
Rounder Records
2022

In 2022, Caroline Spence released the brilliant and beautiful album “True North.” This is art of the highest caliber, a significant accomplishment in the music industry. Being constrained by the limitations imposed by major record labels doesn’t foster uninhibited creation, which is unfortunate for both the artist and the eventual listener. Fortunately, on her final album for Rounder Records, this remarkable singer-songwriter’s insightful, thoughtful, and personal reflections are available for everyone to enjoy.

At the time of “True North’s” release, Spence stated, “this is an album of deep love - love for time on this earth, love for all the people that pass through your life, love for yourself exactly as you are… love for your partner, love for unanswered questions, love for searching and yearning and feeling. This is also an album of grief, which is a form of love. I've felt hesitant to hang my hat here because I don't want sadness to be the headline for this record, because grief is more than sadness, it's love.” And in that spirit of openness, rolling with life’s punches, feeling the pain, and embracing healing, she has succeeded.

The album opens with “Mary Oliver,” invoking the late American poet while exploring the details of daily life and living with grief. "The Gift” is about the fleeting quality of time and how it is the only thing we have. “Clean Getaway” confronts the reality that we must face our truths, and there's no escaping some things we’d rather run away from. The title track celebrates a friend finding their true calling and purpose.

The gentle waves carrying this collection of songs convey themes of friendship and connectedness. “Scale These Walls” invites a lover or friend to penetrate the walls she’s constructed. “Walk the Walk” and “I Know You Know Me” offer friendship and support to a troubled companion. “The Next Good Time” advises that when trouble finds you, “Grit your teeth, get through it, and wait for the next good time.” While this might seem routine fare, it isn’t in the masterful hands of this songstress. Her beautiful expression of love and empathy is genuine and sincere.

“Blue Sky Rain” grapples with the unyielding forces in a failing relationship, while a loner finds renewal in the healing power of love in “I Forget the Rest.” Many emotional stones are turned here, and the precision of Spence’s delivery of her lyrics is always on target. The Greek mythology referencing “Icarus” celebrates a life free of fear and open to adventure, without trepidation about flying too high.

The album concludes with “There’s Always Room,” a poignant expression of revelations gained through loss and self-discovery: "Oh, I have lost, but oh, I have found parts of you I never knew I carried." Our familial bonds often run deeper than we realize; like love, they are to be cherished when everything we hold dear feels lost.

A Timely Tribute to Woody Guthrie

Reg Meuross
“Fire & Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story”
Hatsongs Records
2025

“Fire & Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story” was conceived by The Who's Pete Townshend, who commissioned and produced the project. In 2019, he enlisted fellow musician Reg Meuross to bring his vision to life. Meuross combined his musicianship, research skills, keen historical insight, and strong sense of social justice to create a significant portrait of the folk icon and his music.Townshend’s vision is realized by a stellar band featuring Reg Meuross on guitar and lead vocals, Geraint Watkins on accordion and keyboards, Pete Townshend himself on bass guitar and keyboards on “Fire & Dust,” Phil Beer on mandolin, slide guitar, and fiddle on “The Gypsy Singer,” Marion Fleetwood on fiddle and additional strings on “The Gypsy Singer,” Roy Dodds on drums and percussion, Simon Edwards on bass guitar, Bethany Porter on cello and additional vocals on “Red Shoes,” and Katie Whitehouse on backing vocals.

Listening to these eloquently narrated tales of Woody Guthrie's life alongside the legend's originals reminds one that the America of the 1930s and 1940s wasn’t so different from our world today. This inevitably leads to the question: Can music bring about lasting change? The answer seems to be a cautious yes, with the caveat that society must remain vigilant, lest the lessons learned and the price paid by past generations be forgotten. Guthrie was an activist whose music and writing served as a voice for the working class in their fight for social justice. Today, the fight continues as our collective ideas of fairness and humanity evolve and devolve, influenced by shifting political perspectives.

All songs are written by Meuross, except for four Guthrie standards: "So Long It’s Been Good to Know Ya,” “This Land Is Your Land," “Ain’t Got No Home," and “Deportee,” which was co-written by Guthrie and Martin Hoffman.

The biographical title track, “Fire & Dust,” opens the album, recounting the trials of Dust Bowl migrants and the elements that upended their lives, leading many to poverty and despair. “Is this the same god in who you trust, the god of fire, the god of dust?” is asked as the foundations of any remaining faith was shaken to their core. “A Folk Song's A Song” serves as a concise mission statement for the vagabond troubadour, paraphrasing some of the poet’s own words in a simulated collaboration among Guthrie, Dylan, and Meuross.

“Mary’s Song” tells the story of Guthrie’s first marriage to Mary Jennings, as expressed from her perspective, regretfully recounting their ill-fated union. “I Sent For A Wife” humorously imagines Guthrie’s father, Charley, feeling discontent as he seeks a mail-order bride following the death of his wife, Nora Belle, only to discover there’s no truth in advertising; she turns out to be a seller of snake oil and a con artist.

The upbeat sing-along “So Long It’s Been Good to Know Ya” belies the seriousness of the dust storms descending on the Texas high plains, understanding that sometimes one has to laugh to push back the tears.

The unraveling of Guthrie’s marriage to Mary culminates in “Woody Come Home,” which captures the tug-of-war between the activist artist and his responsibilities to his wife and children. Though well aware of the impending day of his daughter's birth, he chose to play the cotton workers’ strike that day instead. While “Ain’t Got no Home” is about the plight of migrant workers, the same could be said of its writer, as this was the choice he’d made by distancing himself from his family.

“Fit for Work (Illegal Hands)” stands out among Meuross’ originals as it humanizes the ever-present immigration debate. The struggle for sustenance and a semblance of dignity has long plagued Mexican laborers, who are used and cast aside by a country that remains hostile to them. Paired with Guthrie’s “Deportees,” it illuminates the dehumanization that is all too familiar in U.S. relations with those on whom we depend.

“Red Shoes” takes us inside the fateful 1948 Los Gatos Canyon plane crash, which killed 28 migrant workers being deported, three crew members, and an immigration guard. This is the same flight that inspired “Deportees.”

“This Land is Your Land” was Guthrie’s response to Irving Berlin’s song “God Bless America.” Feeling that it wasn’t representative of the real America in which he lived, he set out to write something better. Thus, one of the United States' most beloved folk songs was born out of a desire to tell the truth while extoling the scenic glories of his homeland.

“Woody Guthrie’s Chains” relates to Guthrie being confronted by a listener who objected to his use of an offensive racial word while discussing the blues. Awakened to his ignorance and the crass insensitivity he had displayed, he vowed never to use the word again.

Woody Guthrie faced significant heartache and grief in his life, and like any dedicated journalist, Meuross confronts these realities. In 1945, Guthrie married Marjorie Greenblatt. They lost Cathy, one of their four children, in a tragic fire. Losing Stackabones, his nickname for her, plunged him into a drunken spiral. He returned to the road even as Huntington's disease began to take its toll on his health. “Stackabones and Runaway Boy” covers this passage in his life.

“I Ain’t Dead” is an up-tempo declaration of endurance and reflects a man holding on even as he knows his illness is pulling him away. “Riding to Jerusalem” asks questions that only one’s soul can answer. Guthrie was a walking contradiction like the musical legends that would follow him, such as Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. While he lived to effect change and give voice to the unheard, he also desired a home, family, and a sanctuary to retreat into when he felt the need. He made his choices much to our benefit, if not his own.

The album concludes with “The Gypsy Singer” channeling Guthrie as the troubadour imparts the great commission to carry on his mission through song. In this regard, Reg Meuross has admirably risen to the challenge.

Perhaps the Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown," which sparked interest in Guthrie and “Fire & Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story," will further his enduring legacy and ignite interest among a new generation. We live on as long as we are remembered and our songs are sung. Long live Woody Guthrie and his legacy.

  

Kristen Grainger & True North Go Deep on Ghost Tattoo

Kristen Grainger & True North
“Ghost Tattoo”
(self-released)
2020

Based in Salem, Oregon, Kristen Grainger and True North released their 2020 album “Ghost Tattoo” as the world was shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans for an extensive international tour starting in Ireland had to be scrapped, and promoting the project became nearly impossible. Nevertheless, the album, a blend of folk and Americana with a touch of bluegrass, is one of their best efforts.

The album is a delicate balance between an unflinching look at who we are today in these polarizing times and a sense of optimism for who we might become. “Ghost of Abuelito” pulls at the heart as it confronts the crisis of children being separated from parents at the Mexico border and being held in detention centers. Grainger’s lyrics pierce the heart, as a child finds comfort in the spirit of his grandfather, giving him the courage to believe he will return to his parents.

The title “She Flies with Her Own Wings” is derived from Oregon's state motto and is an inspired tribute to former Governor Kate Brown, for whom Grainger worked as communications director. It is also a nod to all women in leadership positions. In "Light by Light," a survivor describes the hard truths of domestic violence.

Kristen Grainger speaks eloquently as an advocate for female empowerment and social justice. She understands her folk music heritage and is a voice for the unheard, much like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. This may offend some, but since they are likely part of the problem rather than the solution, I doubt she loses any sleep over it.

Two covers, Tim O'Brien's and Darrell Scott’s whimsical “When No One's Around” and Peter Rowan’s “Lonesome L.A. Cowboy,” lighten the mood, balancing some of the weightier subjects examined here. While lost love and the wish for what might have been are the focus of “Wishes and Dreams.” “Keep the River on Your Right” is an upbeat song reminiscent of Alison Krauss and Union Station. “Fine Young Companion” imparts wisdom from the older generation to the young about the importance of embracing a simple life.

These songs are beautifully delivered by the band’s namesake on lead vocals, alongside the True North band, which includes Dan Wetzel, Grainger’s husband, on guitar, resonator guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin, banjo, mandola, ukulele, and vocals; Martin Stevens on mandolin, fiddle, octave mandolin, and vocals; and Josh Adkins on upright bass and vocals. Guest artists Dale Adkins on banjo and Cameron Elmore on bowed bass also contribute to this impressive lineup.

Returning to Romantica's America

Romantica
“America”
2024 Records
2007

Romantica’s frontman, Ben Kyle, along with his parents and six siblings, moved from Northern Ireland to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States when he was thirteen. He worked with his father, a doctor-turned-minister, cleaning department stores after hours to support the family. In addition to instilling a solid work ethic in his son, he taught him to play guitar and write songs. He has utilized these skills in his band, Romantica, and solo endeavors for over twenty years. Although the band lineup has changed, Kyle has consistently delivered intensely personal snapshots from his life, singing about what he knows best: family loyalty and the meanings of connectedness.

The band’s second album, “America,” was recorded entirely in a home studio built by the band. It's a solid, melodic collection of folk-rock ballads written by Kyle. It opens with “Queen of Hearts,” a song that explores the allure of a relationship likely to lead to heartbreak, despite its promise of immediate fulfillment. Kyle’s longing and heartfelt lyrics on "I Need You Tonight" express the emotions of lovers separated by distance, conveying his desire for her to know she is foremost in his thoughts and how he misses home.

“The National Side” is a deeply autobiographical song that recounts the Kyle family history and their move to the States. The title refers to the field hockey team for which their mother played in Ireland. The song captures childhood dreams of following in her footsteps in the sport and tales of his siblings' misadventures during their youth. Familial love permeates as the rhythmic guitar, drums, horns, and accordion guide the listener along this journey of reminiscence.

“Drink the Night Away” evokes the anticipation, excitement, and anxiety of youthful friendship and an evening that leads to self-medication and regretful intoxication. “What was Jesus thinking when he let me sink into the arms of the Lord?” suggests the inner conflict between faith and doubt.

Though it’s slow and brooding, the darkest song on the record, “Ixcatan” is strangely beautiful, with Luke Jacobs’s bass and Eric Heywood’s pedal steel guitar conveying the tension and gravity as it relates the story of an outlaw shooting in the mountains of Mexico. “Fiona” is a bittersweet song about youthful courtship set against the backdrop of living in a troubled Belfast at the time. The sweet innocence of walking a girl home where bombs are exploding into the night, and where “Even the cops were scared out of their minds.”

“The Gulf of Mexico” changes gears with fond memories of carefree summers spent with friends. “La Traviada” is about Craig Kelly, a professional snowboarder, who died in 2003 near Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, in an avalanche that trapped eight people, killing Kelly and six others. While the song concerns Kelly, it also addresses the cost of our passions and the price we sometimes pay for them.

“How to Live in a Modern World” is straight-up country in the tradition of Gram Parsons, followed by the meditative “God Walks on Water,” a spiritual reflection on life, love, and all the mysteries we don’t understand. “Tomorrow I'll know, today I've been guessing, one day's curse, another day's blessing.”

Our journey concludes with “Quiver,” a sweet, simple love song, and the ambiguous “Mateo.” Although its meaning remains elusive, it is beautifully rendered by Kyle’s gentle voice in harmony with the violin and cello, culminating in the last three minutes with just guitar and piano. This feels like a fitting conclusion to everything that has come before it.

While Ben Kyle’s talent as a singer, songwriter, and musician cannot be overstated, Romantica operates as a cohesive unit, bringing these songs to life seamlessly. The album's warm and upbeat feel is achieved through the artistry of Luke Jacobs on guitar, bass, electric piano, and vocals, along with Mark Hedlund and James Orvis on drums, and Eric Heywood on pedal steel guitar, Erik Brandt on piano, organ, and accordion. Jessy Greene's delicate use of strings melds perfectly with these songs, elevating even the most somber numbers to create something beautiful and uplifting. Not to be overlooked are the warm backup vocals performed by siblings Abby, Jayanthi, and Laurie Kyle on this album.

This album offers an incredible journey through Ben Kyle's reflections on family, friends, and their shared histories, and his keen observations of the world he inhabits. The songs convey deep love, introspection, spiritual conflict, healing, and a healthy gratitude for life as one who has found their place in this fragile modern world. Album highlights include “The National Side,” “Drink the Night Away,” and “Fiona.”